Order of Prince Henry

The Order of Prince Henry the Navigator (Portuguese: Ordem do Infante Dom Henrique) is a Portuguese National Order of Knighthood created on June 2, 1960, to commemorate the fifth centenary of the death of the Infante Henry the Navigator (known in Portuguese as Henrique), fifth son of King John I of Portugal and his queen, Philippa of Lancaster. Minor reforms of the constitution of the Order occurred in 1962 and 1980.[1]

It is a five-tier order, whose titles are awarded for relevant services to Portugal and for services in the expansion of the Portuguese culture, its history and its values (with a particular focus on its maritime history). The number of members in each grade is restricted by its constitution, and titles are attributed by special decree by the Grand Master of the Order, i.e. the President of the Republic of Portugal.

The order includes several classes; in decreasing order of seniority, these are:

There is also a Silver Medal (Medalha de Prata - MedPIH) and a Gold Medal (Medalha de Ouro - MedOIH).

Ribbons and medals are characterized by equal stripes of blue, white and black (either horizontal or vertical) and a ruby-enamelled golden Jerusalem cross. The stars of Grand Officer and Grand Cross bears the inscription "Talant de bien faire".

Membership to the Order can be granted by the President of his own initiative, or as a result of suggestions made by his Ministers, or following suggestion by the Council of the Order.

Contents

Grand Collars of the Order as of May 2009

References

  1. ^ Ordem do Infante D. Henrique | Ordens Nacionais | Ordens Honoríficas Portuguesas

See also

External links