The Order of Pedro I (or Imperial Ordem de Pedro Primeiro in Portuguese) is a Brazilian order of chivalry instituted in 16 April 1826 by Emperor Pedro I and considered the rarest of the country’s Imperial orders.
The Order of Pedro I was canceled on 22 March 1890 by the interim government of the United States of Brazil. Since the deposition of the last Brazilian monarch in 1889, it continues to be used as a house order by the Heads of the Orleans-Berganza house. The Grand Mastership, like many other Brazilian imperial orders, is shared between the branches of Petrópolis and Vassouras.
Classes of the Order of Pedro I
The Imperial Order of Pedro I has the following classes:
- Grand Cross (Grã-Cruz)
- Commander (Comendador)
- Knight (Cavaleiro)
The Order of Pedro I Medal Design
The insignia of the Grand Cross of the Order of Pedro I is a gold-winged dragon (referencing the House of Braganza) with a red sole garnished with coffee branches and the inscription “Founder of the Empire of Brazil”. The insignia is topped with an imperial crown and a green ribbon. The reverse is the same except that the dragon is complete with its tail and without the crown of the city.
