The Royal Family Order of Saints George and Constantine (or Βασιλικόν Οἰκογενειακόν Τάγμα Ἁγίων Γεωργίου καὶ Κωνσταντίνου, Vasilikon Oikogeneiakon Tagma Agion Georgiou kai Konstantinou) is an order of the Greek royal family.
or the duration of its existence, it has been the second highest decoration awarded by the modern Greek state and the Greek crown, after the Order of the Redeemer. It was instituted in January 1936 by King George II in the memory of his grandfather (King George I) and his father (King Constantine I).
The order is awarded only to men, while the corresponding Order of Saints Olga and Sophia is reserved for women.
The Order of Saints George and Constantine Design
The order’s design was influenced by the royal family’s Danish origin, evoking the appearance of the Order of the Dannebrog. The order is not awarded since 1975 by the Greek state after the abolition of monarchy and today is awarded only by the Greek Royal Family.
The Order has five classes:
- Grand Cross (‘Μεγαλόσταυρος’) – wears the badge of the Order on a collar or on a sash on the right shoulder, and the star of the Order on the left chest;
- Grand Commander (‘Ανώτερος Ταξιάρχης’) – wears the badge and the star of the Order on the left chest;
- Commander (‘Ταξιάρχης’) – wears the badge of the Order on a necklet;
- Gold Cross (‘Χρυσούς Σταυρός’) – wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest;
- Silver Cross (‘Αργυρούς Σταυρός’) – wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest.
