The Order of Charles XIII (Swedish: Carl XIII:s orden) is a Swedish order of knighthood, founded by King Charles XIII in 1811. The Lord and Master of the Order is the King of Sweden, currently His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf. The order can only be conferred on Freemasons of the Protestant faith. The membership of the order comprises:
- Three clerical members.
- Thirty lay members and never more than 7 non-Swedish members, each holding the XI (honorary and highest) degree of the Swedish Rite of Freemasonry.
- All Princes of the Royal House of Sweden are members from blrth, but can not wear the insignia until they are become Freemasons.
There can never be more than 33 persons who have the order at the same time. (Men of royal blood are additional).
The insignia consists of a red St George cross, in the centre a white globe with the monogram of the institutor, two opposite letters C surrounding XIII, in gold. On the reverse the globe has the letter B in gold in an equilateral black and gold edged triangle. The cross is surmounted by a closed golden crown. The insignia is worn around the neck in a red ribbon.
The order uses a knight's gown, introduced 1822, and new knights are dubbed.
Famous quotes containing the word order:
“‘The old order changeth, yielding place to new
And God fulfils Himself in many ways,
Lest one good custom should corrupt the world.”
—Alfred Tennyson (1809–1892)