Order of Merit

The Order of Merit is a British and Commonwealth Order bestowed by the Monarch. It was established in 1902 by King Edward VII (based on the Prussian Pour le Mérite) as a reward for distinguished service in the armed forces, science, art, literature, or for the promotion of culture. The rarer military awards were distinguished from the civil by having a pair of crossed swords behind the central medallion.

Related Topics:
British - Commonwealth - Order - Monarch - 1902 - Edward VII - Prussia - Pour le Mérite - Armed forces - Science - Art - Literature - Culture

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Appointments to the Order are in the Sovereign's personal gift and ministerial advice is not required.

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The Order is limited to the Sovereign and twenty-four members, but additional foreigners may be added as "honorary members." From the beginning the Order was open to women; Florence Nightingale was the first woman to receive the Order, in 1907. The Order confers no knighthood or other status, but recipients of this single-class Order are entitled to use the post-nominal letters "OM". The badge has the appearance of a red cross surmounted by a golden crown. The ribbon is red and blue.

Related Topics:
Sovereign - Florence Nightingale - 1907 - Post-nominal letters - OM

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