The Royal Order of George I (or Βασιλικόν Τάγμα Γεωργίου Α’) is a Greek order instituted by King Constantine I in 1915 in honor of his father, George I. Since the monarchy’s abolition in 1973, it is considered a dynastic order of the former Greek royal family.
The Order was only the second Greek order to be created after the Order of the Redeemer in 1833 and remained the second senior award of the Greek state for the duration of its existence. The order was closely associated with the Greek monarchy and was hence abolished with the establishment of the Second Hellenic Republic in 1924. The order was restored along with the monarchy in 1935, and continued to be awarded until the final abolition of the monarchy in 1973.
The Order of George I Design
The badge of the Order is a white-enameled Latin cross pattée, in silver for the Silver Cross class, in gold for the higher classes, with a wreath of laurels between the arms of the cross.
The obverse central disc was in red enamel, bearing the royal cypher of George I, two crossed gammas with a crown above and a “I” below, surrounded by a white enamel ring bearing the royal motto ΙΣΧΥΣ ΜΟΥ Η ΑΓΑΠΗ ΤΟΥ ΛΑΟΥ (“The Love of My People is My Strength”). The reverse central disc bears the years of George I’s reign, 1863-1913. The badge is topped by a crown; the military division also had crossed swords behind the badge. The Commemorative Medal’s badge is identical in design, except that the cross is not enameled.
The star of the order is a silver star with straight rays, with eight points for Grand Cross and four points for Grand Commander, and with the obverse of the badge superimposed upon it.
The ribbon of the Order is plain crimson red.
