History

This Order was founded by King Frederick I in 1748. It is the highest decoration awarded in Sweden. It is conferred exclusively upon members of the Swedish Royal Family, as well as foreign heads of state.

Until 1975 the Princes of the Swedish Royal Family received a miniature version of the Order at their baptism. At present, the Princes and Princesses of the Royal Family are not named to the Order under their 18th birthday. It should be noted that both Princess Estelle and Princess Leonore received the Order at their baptisms in 2012 and 2014, respectively.

The obverse bears a christogram and the reverse inscription stands for "Fredericus Rex Sueciae" (Frederick, King of Sweden).

There were many manufacturers of this Order, and as a result, there may be versions which vary in composition and size.