The Reigning Prince awards titles, orders and decorations to personalities who have rendered outstanding services to the country of Liechtenstein.
The recognition of outstanding achievements through titles, orders and decorations has a long tradition in the Princely House of Liechtenstein. The Princes of Liechtenstein themselves have been honoured for their services time and again over the centuries. As Head of State, the Prince may confer titles. Common titles are: Princely Councillor, Princely Court Councillor, Princely Judicial Councillor, Princely Commercial Councillor, Princely Study Councillor, Clerical Councillor. Noble titles with the predicate "von" as well as the titles "Baron" and "Count" are very rarely awarded. The recognition of outstanding achievements through titles, orders and decorations has a long tradition in the Princely House of Liechtenstein. The Princes of Liechtenstein themselves have been repeatedly honoured for their services over the centuries. As Head of State, the Prince can confer titles. Common titles are: Princely Counsellor, Princely Judicial Counsellor, Princely Counsellor of Commerce, Princely Counsellor of Studies, Clerical Counsellor. Noble titles with the predicate "von" as well as the titles "Baron" and "Count" are very rarely awarded. The last time such a title was awarded was in 1979.
The Order of Merit
The Order of Merit comprises the following degrees:
- Grand Star of the Princely Liechtenstein Order of Meri
- Grand Cross with Diamonds of the Princely Liechtenstein Order of Merit
- Grand Cross with Diamonds of the Princely Liechtenstein Order of Merit
- Commander's Cross with the Star of the Princely Liechtenstein Order of Merit
- Commander's Cross of the Princely Liechtenstein Order of Merit
- Knight's Cross of the Princely Liechtenstein Order of Merit
The Badge of Merit
The Princely Liechtenstein Order of Merit is awarded in gold and silver. The first Order of Merit and the first Princely Liechtenstein Order of Merit were endowed by Prince Franz I in 1937. Further information on this can be found in the Princely Handwritten Letter of 22 July 1937 concerning the foundation of the Princely Liechtenstein Order of Merit and the Princely Liechtenstein Decoration of Merit.
Holding orders and decorations
The holder of the Grand Star, the Grand Cross with Diamonds as well as the Grand Cross is entitled to refer to himself as its "holder". Persons who receive the Commander's Cross with Star may call themselves "Commander of the Princely Liechtenstein Order of Merit with Star"; those with the Commander's Cross as "Commander" and those with the Knight's Cross as "Knight of the Princely Liechtenstein Order of Merit". No other privileges are associated with it. The decorations belong to the person to whom they were awarded and to his or her heirs.
