Kings and queens receive medals for several reasons, reflecting their unique roles and contributions both within their own countries and on the international stage. The Medals of Charles III, King of the United Kingdom, serve as a testament to a life dedicated to public service, duty, and the rich traditions of the British monarchy.
From his early days as the Prince of Wales to his ascension as King, Charles III has been honored with a myriad of medals that not only celebrate his personal achievements but also symbolize the enduring legacy of the British royal family. For instance, receiving medals from other countries is a sign of respect and recognition from foreign nations. These honors often symbolize strong diplomatic ties, mutual respect, and international cooperation.
So, let’s delve into the history and significance of each medal awarded to King Charles III and explore the storied past and the ceremonial grandeur that accompany these prestigious honors.
Royal Titles as Prince Charles
Charles was initially titled “His Royal Highness Prince Charles of Edinburgh” according to letters patent issued by his grandfather, George VI. Upon his mother’s ascension to the throne, Charles, as the eldest son, automatically became the Duke of Cornwall in England and the Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick, Baron of Renfrew, Lord of the Isles, and Prince and Great Steward of Scotland. He was styled “His Royal Highness The Duke of Cornwall” in England and “His Royal Highness The Duke of Rothesay” in Scotland.
In 1958, Charles was made Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester through letters patent from the sovereign, and on 1 July 1969, he was formally invested with these titles during a ceremony. In 2021, following the death of his father, Prince Philip, Charles inherited the titles Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, and Baron Greenwich. When Charles became the British sovereign on 8 September 2022, these titles merged with the Crown.
In an announcement following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Prime Minister Liz Truss referred to Charles as King Charles III, marking the first official use of that name. Shortly thereafter, Clarence House confirmed that he would indeed use the regnal name Charles III.
Charles III's Decorations and Medals
The decorations and medals awarded to Charles III reflect his extensive contributions and commitments over the decades. Each medal and decoration holds significant historical and symbolic value, showcasing his dedication to various causes and his roles within the British monarchy.
Medals from the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom has a rich tradition of bestowing honors and medals upon its royalty, and King Charles III is no exception. Throughout his life, King Charles III has been awarded numerous medals by the United Kingdom in recognition of his service, dedication, and contributions to the nation.
Here are the medals from the United Kingdom:
The Order of Canada
The Order of Canada (CC) is a Canadian national order established in 1967 to recognize outstanding merit or distinguished service.
The Order of Military Merit (Canada)
The Order of Military Merit (CMM) is a Canadian national order established in 1972 to recognize conspicuous merit and exceptional service.
The Order of the Bath Medal
The Most Honorable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by King George I in 1725 and turned into a Military Order.
The Most Noble Order of the Garter
The Order of the Garter is an order of chivalry founded by Edward III in 1348 and regarded as the most prestigious British order of chivalry.
The Order of the Thistle
The Order of the Thistle is an order of chivalry revived by King James VII of Scotland (James II) in 1687 and re-established in 1703.
The Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal
The medal, established in 1953, was given as a personal memento from the Queen to members of the Royal Family and selected officers of state.
The Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal
The Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal was established in 1977 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s accession.
The Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal
The Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal is a commemorative medal created in 2002 to mark the 50th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s accession.
The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal was created in 2012 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s accession in 1952.
The Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal
The Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal was established to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Queen’s accession.
The Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
This long service medal, established in 1848, is still awarded to regular members of His Majesty’s Naval Service.
Medals and Appontments from Commonwealth Countries
Throughout his life, King Charles III has been honored with numerous medals from Commonwealth countries, reflecting his significant contributions to fostering international relations, promoting charitable causes, and supporting the shared values of the Commonwealth.
The New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal
The New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal was awarded in 1990 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.
The Order of the Star of Ghana
The Order of the Star of Ghana is a Ghanaian award given to individuals who have helped the cause of the country.
The Order of the Lion of Malawi
The Order of the Lion of Malawi is the highest state order and the second-highest honor bestowed by the government of Malawi.
The Papua New Guinea Independence Medal
The Papua New Guinea Independence Medal was established to commemorate the transition to the full independence of Papua New Guinea.
The Canadian Forces’ Decoration
The Canadian Forces’ Decoration is awarded to members of the Canadian Armed Forces who have completed twelve years of military service.
The Commemorative Medal for the Centennial of Saskatchewan
A commemorative medal struck to celebrate the first 100 years since the province’s entrance into Canadian Confederation.
The New Zealand Armed Forces Award
The New Zealand Armed Forces Award was established on 6 May 1985 and is awarded for 15 years of unblemished service.
The Family Order of Laila Utama
The Most Esteemed Family Order of Laila Utama is an order of Brunei established on 1 March 1954 by Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III.
The Order of Freedom of Barbados
The Order of Freedom of Barbados is a national honor established in 2019 by the Parliament of Barbados. It has one class.
Foreign Honors Bestowed on King Charles III
King Charles III has also been recognized internationally for his contributions to diplomacy, charity, and global cooperation.
The Order of Orange-Nassau
The Order of Orange-Nassau is a civil and military Dutch order of chivalry founded on 4 April 1892 by the Queen regent Emma.
The Order of Agricultural Merit
The Order of Agricultural Merit is an order of merit by the French Republic for outstanding contributions to agriculture.
The Order of the Crown (Netherlands)
The Order of the Crown is a house order that came into being as a result of the reorganization of the Order of the House of Orange.
The Legion of Honor
The Legion of Honor (or Ordre national de la Légion d’honneur in French) is the highest French order of merit for military and civil merits.
The Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
The Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany was created by the first President of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1951.
The Order of King Abdulaziz
The Order of King Abdulaziz is a Saudi Arabian order instituted by King Faisal on 20 March 1971 (and formerly called Great Chain of Badr).
Order of the Southern Cross
The Order of the Southern Cross is a Brazilian order of chivalry established in 1822 for the coronation of Pedro I.
The Order of the Aztec Eagle
The Order of the Aztec Eagle is the highest Mexican order awarded to foreigners in the country and forms part of the Mexican Honours System.
The Order of the Chrysanthemum
The Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum is is the highest possible honor a Japanese citizen can be awarded during his or her lifetime.
Imperial Order of St. Benedict of Avis
The Imperial Order of St. Benedict of Avis is a Brazilian military order established in 1843 and awarded in three grades.
The Grand Order of Mugunghwa
The Grand Order of Mugunghwa is the highest order awarded by the government of South Korea and takes its name from the rose of Sharon.
The Order of the White Rose
The Order of the White Rose of Finland was established by Gustaf Mannerheim on January 28, 1919 and is one of Finland’s three Orders.
The Order of the Seraphim
The Order of the Seraphim is a Swedish order of chivalry established in 1748, originally to supervisors of the Seraphim Hospital.
The Order of Charles XIII
The Order of Charles XIII is a Swedish order of merit established in 1811 and awarded to Freemasons of the Protestant faith.
The Order of The Republic (Egypt)
The Order of The Republic is an Egyptian order of knighthood established in 1953 to celebrate the rebirth of the Republic of Egypt.
The Order of the Oak Crown
The Order of the Oak Crown was established in 1841 by Grand Duke William II and is primarily used as an award for Luxembourgish citizens.
The Order of the Elephant
The Order of the Elephant is an order of chivalry established in Denmark during the 15th century. The badge is a white elephant.
The Most Glorious Order of the Ojaswi Rajanya
The Most Glorious Order of the Ojaswi Rajanya was established by King Tribhuvan on May 14, 1934 and comprises several ranks.
The Order of St. Olav
The Royal Norwegian Order of Saint Olav was instituted by King Oscar I in 1847 and is a Norwegian order of chivalry.
The Military Order of the Tower and Sword
The Military Order of the Tower and Sword is a Portuguese order of knighthood created by King Afonso V in 1459 as the Order of the Sword.
More medals (I’m working on these as they are countries that still don’t have their own page on the site):
- Bahrain 16 November 1986 Member, 1st Class, of the Order of Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa
- Qatar 14 November 1986 Collar of the Order of Merit
- Kuwait 9 November 1993 Member, 1st Class, of the Order of Mubarak the Great
- Hungary 3 March 2010 Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary
- Romania 29 March 2017 Grand Cross of the Order of the Star of Romania
- Armenia 19 October 2018 Order of Friendship
