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Order of Leopold II Ordre de Léopold II Orde van Leopold II | |
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![]() Officer's cross of the Order of Leopold II | |
Awarded by ![]() | |
Type | Order of Merit with five classes and three medals |
Established | 24 August 1900 1900 – 1908 (Order of Congo) 1908 – present (as Belgian Order) |
Motto | EENDRACHT MAAKT MACHT - L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE |
Eligibility | Eligible for persons above the age of 42 |
Awarded for | Bravery in combat or meritorious service |
Status | Currently constituted |
Grand Master | His Majesty King Philippe |
Grades | Grand Cross Grand Officer Commander Officer Knight |
Precedence | |
Next (higher) | Order of the Crown |
Next (lower) | Military Decoration for gallantry or exceptional devotion |
The Order of Leopold II is an order of Belgium and is named in honor of King Leopold II. The decoration was established on 24 August 1900 by Leopold II as Sovereign of the Congo Free State and was in 1908, upon Congo being handed over to Belgium, incorporated into the Belgian awards system. The order is awarded for meritorious service to the sovereign of Belgium, and as a token of his personal goodwill. It can be awarded to both Belgians and foreigners, and is seen as diplomatic gift of merit.[1]
The order has become a long service order for people in the civil service and is awarded alternatively with the Order of the Crown, as the Order of Leopold is awarded under rarer circumstances. The order currently stands third after the Order of Leopold (1st) and the Order of the Crown (2nd) in the Belgian honors hierarchy. The Order of Leopold II is awarded by royal decree.