History

The Order of Prince Lazar was founded on April 8, 1889 on the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Kosovo when all Serbian Principalities fell under Ottoman control. Prince Lazar, who led the Serbian forces and was the most powerful ruler of these principalities, died during the battle.

The Order only had one class which was held by Serbian rulers and their heirs to the throne. As a royal decoration, the class consisted of the Collar and the Insignia which were executed in the most lavish manner with extensive use of diamonds and gems.

The Order was awarded only to two people. As a ruling insignia, these badges remained in constant use by Serbian rulers until the end of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in 1941. Rulers who used this set include: Aleksandar I Obrenovic (1889–1903), Peter I Karageorgevich (1903–1921), George, Crown Prince of Serbia (1903–1909), Alexander I, Crown Prince of Serbia (1909–1921), King of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes and King of Yugoslavia (1921–1934), and Peter II Karageorgevich (1934–1945).

Both sets were lost during Second World War, as well as all subsequent traces of them.