Order of Leopold II
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The Order of Leopold II is a military order of Belgium and is named in honor of King Léopold II. The decoration was established in 1900 by Léopold II as king of the Congo Free State and was in 1908, upon Congo being handed over to Belgium, incorporated into the Belgian awards system. The order is awarded for bravery in combat or for meritorious service to the benefit of the Belgian nation. It can be awarded to both Belgians and foreigners.
The order has become a long service order and is awarded alternatively with the Order of the Crown as the Order of Leopold is awarded under rarer circumstances. The Order currently stands third after the Order of Leopold (1st) and the Order of the Crown (2nd) in the Belgian honors hierarchy.
[edit] Classes
The Order of Léopold II is issued in five classes and three medals:
- Grand Cross, who wears the badge on a sash on the right shoulder, plus the star on the left chest;
- Grand Officer, who wears only a star on the left chest;
- Commander, who wears the badge on a necklet;
- Officer, who wears the badge on a ribbon with rosette on the left chest;
- Knight, who wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest;
- Gold Medal, who wears the medal on the left chest;
- Silver Medal, who wears the medal on the left chest;
- Bronze Medal, who wears the medal on the left chest.
[edit] Insignia
The Order's colors are blue with a central black stripe. If the Order is awarded during war time, silver crossed swords are attached to the award.
