Museum of the Presidency of the Republic – Honorary Orders

At the parades and official engagements, you always see the royalties and officials decked out their honours and regalia. These are traditions from the Europeans that have been spread around the world as result of the colonisation in the 15th-19th centuries.

Portuguese Honorific Orders

An order is a visible honour awarded by a sovereign state, monarch, dynastic house or organisation to a person, typically in recognition of individual merit, that often comes with distinctive insignia such as collars, medals, badges, and sashes worn by recipients.

To learn more about Portuguese Honorific Orders, please read my other post on the Presidential Powers.

Grand Cross of Order of Isabella the Catholic (Spain)

Jewellery by Cejalvo, Decorations by Plateria | Madrid – Spain, [2006] | Sterling silver and enamel | Awarded by King Juan Carlos to Aníbal Cavaco Silva – 2006

The Royal Order of Isabella the Catholic is a Spanish civil order of chivalry and honour granted to persons and institutions in recognition of extraordinary services to the homeland or the promotion of international relations and cooperation with other nations. By law, its Grand Master is the King of Spain, and its Grand Chancellor is the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Order is open to both Spaniards and foreigners.

The decoration is a red-enameled cross, with a golden frame. The outer peaks are fitted with small gold balls. The center of the medallion contains the inscription “A La Lealtad Acrisolada” (To Proven Loyalty) and “Por Isabel la Católica” (By Isabella the Catholic) on white enamel. Above the cross is a green enameled laurel wreath with the band ring.

Grand Cross of the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana (Estonia)

Unknown manufacturer | Estonia, [2003] | Silver, enamel and silk | Awarded by President Arnold Rüütel to Jorge Sampaio – 2003

The Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana is also given as a decoration of the highest class to foreigners who have rendered special services to the Republic of Estonia. As such it is the highest and most distinguished order granted by Estonia to non-Estonian citizens. The Latin name Terra Mariana, meaning the “Land of Mary”, is a poetic synonym for Estonia, and designated the area which includes what is now Estonia in medieval times.

Grand Cross of the Order of Merit (Austria)

Wolfgang Reitterer Orden-ehrenzeichen | Austria, [1997] | Silver, enamel and silk | Awarded by President Kurt Waldheim to Anibal Cavaco Silva

The modern iteration of the Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria was established by the National Council in 1952. It is conferred by the Republic of Austria to honour people (from Austria and abroad) who have rendered meritorious services to the country.

What is interesting is the placard attributed the award to be given to President Silva (2006-2016), which according to research could not have received the award in 1997 nor would he possibly received it from President Waldheim (1986-1992). The two Portuguese presidents that received this was Joao Sampaio (in 2002) and Marcel de Sousa (in 2019) . Another museum mystery perhaps.

Grand Cross of the Order of Merit (Chile)

Hours – Santiago | Chile, [2007] | Gold | Awarded by President Michelle Bachelet to Aníbal Cavaco Silva – 2007

The Order of Merit is a Chilean order and was created in 1929. Succeeding the Medal of the Merit, which was created during the term of the President Germán Riesco through the Minister of War decree No. 1350 on 4 September 1906. This new national distinction was created to recognize the meritorious service provided by foreign military personnel to Chilean officials. The order is only awarded to foreigners.

The Star of the Grand Cross grade is made up of a ten-pointed highly curved star fronted by a gold laurel wreath. Placed on this is another five-pointed white-enamelled star with a central gold disc. The outer edge of the disc is enamelled in blue with the inscription; “Orden del Merito Chile” (Order of Merit Chile).

Grand Collar of the Order of Sovereignty (Morocco)

Chaumet | France [1998] | Gold, diamonds, rubies, emeralds and enamel | Awarded by King Hassan II to Jorge Sampaio – 1998

The Order of Muhammad, also referred to as Order of Sovereignty, is the highest state decoration of the Kingdom of Morocco. The Order was instituted on 16 November 1956 by King Mohammed V of Morocco, who reigned between 1927 and 1961.

The Special Class wears a diamonds and with rubies decorated collar around the neck. The chain has nineteen golden links in the form of stylized flowers in filigree gold and comes together in a large enamelled coat of arms in European style. A badge is suspended to this coat of arms and has the shape of a gold star with ten points. A part of the surface is green enamelled. The central disk of the badge shows the Moroccan coat of arms. Only the badge of the Special Class and the first class contains edged ring set with rubies and diamonds and an outer ring of 36 diamonds. The Special Class is awarded to monarchs and heads of state.

Grand Cross of the Order of the Liberator (Venezuela)

Comercial Rivadeneira – Caracas | Venezuela. [1987] | Silver, enamel and silk | Awarded by President Jaime Lusinchi to President Anibal Cavaco Silva – 1987

The Order of the Liberator was the highest distinction of Venezuela and was appointed for services to the country, outstanding merit and benefits made to the community. For Venezuelans the order ranks first in the order of precedence from other orders, national and foreign. The President of Venezuela is the Chief of the Order and has the faculty of appointing. By right, he wears the Collar of the Order. In 2010, the National Assembly of Venezuela decided to officially abolish the order and replace it with the Order of the Liberators of Venezuela.

Grand Cross of the Order of Merit (FDR)

Stein Hauer & Luck – Lüdenscheid | Federal Republic of Germany, [1991] | Silver, enamel and silk | Awarded by President Richard Von Weizäcker to President Anibal Cavaco Silva – 1991

The Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (German: Verdienstorden der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, or Bundesverdienstorden, BVO) is the only federal decoration of Germany. It is awarded for special achievements in political, economic, cultural, intellectual or honorary fields. The President of the Federal Republic holds the Grand Cross special class ex officio. It is awarded to him in a ceremony by the President of the Bundestag, attended by the Chancellor of Germany, the President of the Bundesrat, and the Supreme Court President. Other than the German president, only a foreign head of state and their spouse can be awarded with this highest class. 

Grand Cordon of the Order of Makarios (Cyprus)

Arthus Bertrand – Paris | France, [1990] | Silver, enamel and silk | Awarded by President George Vasiliou to President Aníbak Cavaco Silva – 1990

The Order of Makarios III (Greek: Τάγμα Μακάριου Γ’) is the senior order of knighthood awarded by Cyprus. Established in 1991, the order is named after the first President of Cyprus, Archbishop Makarios III.

Grand Cordon of the Order of the Republic (Tunisia)

Arthus Bertrand – Paris | France, [1993] | Silver, enamel and silk | Awarded by President Zine El-Abdine Ben Ali to Aníbal Cavaco Silva – 1993

The Order of the Republic is an order of Tunisia, founded 16 March 1959.

Grand Collar of the Order of Pius (Vatican)

Unknown manufacturer | Italy, [2010] | Sterling silver and enamel | Awarded by Pope Benedict XVI to Aníbal Cavaco Silva – 2010

The Order of Pius is awarded for personal services to the Pope and the Papacy, in five grades: Grand Collar, Grand Cross, Commander with Star, Commander and Knight. The highest rank awarded by the Pope is the Grand Collar of the Order, awarded to heads of state on the occasion of official visits to the Holy See.

The decoration is a regular octagram made of blue enamel, the spaces between the rays filled with gold flames. On the white medallion in the center the name of the founder surrounded by the words Virtuti et Merito (“Virtue and Merit”) is engraved. The reverse side is the same save for the substitution of Anno 1847 for Pius IX. The rarely worn official uniform consists of an elaborately embroidered dark blue evening coat with golden epaulettes, white trousers, and a white-plumed bicorne.

Grand Collar of the Order of Southern Cross (Brazil)

H. Stern | Brasil, [1991] | Sterling silver and enamel | Awarded by President Fernando Henrìque Cardoso to President Aníbal Cavaco Silva – 1991

Originally known as the Imperial Order of the Cross (Portuguese: Ordem Imperial do Cruzeiro), the Order was created by Emperor Pedro I on the day of his Coronation, 1 December 1822. After the fall of the monarchy, Brazil’s first republican Constitution, enacted on 24 February 1891, abolished all titles of nobility and all Imperial Orders and decorations. The Order was later re-established by the government of Getúlio Vargas on December 5, 1932, as the National Order of the Southern Cross.

Knight of Order of the Bath (England)

M.S. Toye, Kennings & Spencer | England, [1993] | Sterling silver and enamel | Awarded by Queen Elizabeth II to President Mário Soares – 1993

The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by King George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate medieval ceremony for appointing a knight, of which bathing (as a symbol of purification) was an element. Knights so created were known as ‘Knights of the Bath’.

Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum (Japan)

Unknown author | Japan, undated | Gilded sterling silver, enamel and silk | Awarded by Emperor Akihito to President Jorge Sampaio – 1998

The Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum (大勲位菊花章, Dai-kun’i kikka-shō) is Japan’s highest order. The Grand Cordon of the Order was established in 1876 by Emperor Meiji of Japan; the Collar of the Order was added on 4 January 1888. Unlike its European counterparts, the order may be conferred posthumously. Today, only the reigning Emperor holds this dignity as sovereign of the order; however, exceptions are made for foreign heads of state, who can be awarded the collar in friendship. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe received one in 2022 posthumously after his assassination.

About the Museum of the Presidency of the Republic

Meet the Presidents of the Republic and their official residence, the Palace of Belém. Museu da Presidência da República (MPR), as it is called in Portuguese, is housed in the Palácio de Belém’s old coach house.

The history of the development of the republic in Portugal is detailed in chronological order. With oil portraits, personal items and various documents illustrating the history and career of each of the presidents of the Portuguese republic, the museum presents all of the heads of state that have marked the country’s 20th century.

Permanent Exhibitions at the MPR

• Implementation of the Republic and National Symbols
• The Republic and its Presidents and Portrait Gallery
• State Visits and Gifts
• Powers of the President of the Republic
• Honorary Orders
• Belém Palace

Operating Hours

• Tuesday to Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Access is only allowed up to 30 minutes before closing.
• Closed every Monday, New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, May 1st and Christmas

Museu da Presidencia da Republica
Palacio Nacional de Belem 1349-022, Lisbon, Portugal
Tel : +351 21 361 4660

Visited Aug 2023

@museupr