In 1841, as Grand Duke of Luxembourg, King Willem II created the Order of the Oak Crown. Although this was not a Dutch order, honours in the Order of the Oak Crown were regularly conferred on Dutch people and foreign diplomats. After the death of King Willem III in 1891, Luxembourg became an independent state. Since then, honours in the Order of the Oak Crown can no longer be awarded by the Dutch head of state.

There was an obvious need for a new, third Dutch order, in particular to be able to confer a royal honour on foreign diplomats, but also to be able to give people from lower classes and ranks a royal pat on the back. On 4 April 1892, at the time when Queen Emma was Regent of the Kingdom, the Order of Orange-Nassau was created.

Revision

In 1994, the Dutch honours system was extensively revised by law following almost thirty years of discussion. The first honours under the new system were conferred during the 'General Occasion' in 1996. Through this revision, the law intended to create a more democratic honours system in which there was no longer place for automatic conferral. The level of the honours was disconnected from rank and social status. In principle, everyone in our society can be honoured. An honour is only awarded on the basis of special, personal merits for society.

Until 1996, the Order of Orange-Nassau consisted of five grades. In adddition, Honorary medals in gold, silver and bronze were linked to the Order until 1996. The bearers of the Honorary medal were not included in the Order. The Honorary medals have not been awarded since 1996, while the Order of Orange-Nassau now has six grades:

• Grand Cross
• Grand Officer
• Commander
• Officer
• Knight
• Member