The Kingdom of the Netherlands has two civilian orders of merit: the Order of the Lion of the Netherlands and the Order of Orange Nassau. The Grand Master of both is Her Majesty the Queen, who confers the decorations on the nomination of the relevant government minister. The country's highest civilian order is the Order of the Lion of the Netherlands, which has three classes: Knight Grand Cross, Commander and Knight.

It can be conferred on people who have rendered outstanding services to the community, often through achievements or efforts springing from exceptional talents that are not primarily aimed at contributing to social progress but which have that effect nonetheless. Examples could be scholars, sportsmen, sportswomen, entrepreneurs or artists who have distinguished them-selves in their chosen field. People who for a long time have worked for the benefit of the community or who have encouraged others to do so are eligible for appointment to one of the six classes of the Order of Orange Nassau - Knight Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, Knight and Member. So too are people who have made a contribution of exceptional value to the community, through meritorious work or achievements in their profession, their voluntary work or a combination of the two.

The Chapter of the Civilian Orders, an independent body, assesses nominations on their merits and issues recommendations that carry a great deal of weight, based on the criteria contained in the Orders' rules of procedure.

The new rules are also applied when it comes to conferring honours on foreign nationals or Dutch nationals living abroad. In contrast to the situation in some countries and the situation in the Netherlands in the past, it is no longer an individual's social position but his or her special merits that determine the class of the honour awarded. In exceptional cases, the conferment of a decoration may be justified in the interests of the State. What follows is a description of the proce-dure involved in the new system and the situation as it affects certain categories of recipients of decorations.

Procedure

Nominations for foreign nationals and Dutch nationals living abroad should be sent to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, through the nearest Dutch embassy if the nomination comes from another country. The Chapter of the Civilian Orders assesses all the nominations, which must give reasons, be well thought out and be submitted in good time. The Chapter then issues a careful - and compelling - recommendation on whether or not to act on the nomination, and which class of honour should be conferred on the nominee. The ultimate decision is taken by the relevant minister. The Chapter does not examine the merits of proposals to confer decorations during state visits, although it does ensure that such an award can be reciprocated. If the decision is favourable, the decoration is conferred by royal decree.

Dutch nationals abroad

Honours may be conferred on Dutch nationals living abroad, including Dutch diplomats, if they have rendered exceptional or particularly meritorious service to the community. If they are to receive a decoration on the grounds of their profession, they must have done more than carry out their duties in an exemplary manner: in fact, they must have done more than could be expected of an individual in that position.

Foreign nationals

Foreign nationals living in the Netherlands (including diplomats and military attachés) are eligible for honours if they have rendered exceptional service - directly or indirectly - to Dutch society. The class awarded is based on the standards laid down in the Order's rules of procedure.

Foreign nationals living abroad who have rendered exceptional service to Dutch society may also be eligible for a decoration, if their services have exceeded what might normally be expected of a person in that position. Honorary consuls form a particular category in this connection. They carry out their duties, without salary, on behalf of the Dutch government, in addition to their regular job. In the spirit of the new system, honorary consuls will become eligible for honours after a substantial period (at least ten years). They must have carried out their duties with distinction. The class of the honour awarded is based on individual merit. Of course, an honorary consul may also receive a decoration for other exceptional achievements. No two cases are alike. The nature, duration and impact of each honorary consul's work must be carefully assessed.

Foreign ambassadors

The only foreign diplomats on whom honours are automatically conferred are ambassadors accredited to the Court of Her Majesty the Queen who have lived and worked in the Netherlands for more than three years. Such awards are made on a reciprocal basis to reflect the symbolic nature of ambassadorial office in bilateral relations.

State visits

Honours may also be conferred, on a reciprocal basis, during state visits, which are of great symbolic significance in diplomatic relations. In accordance with internationally accepted norms, each case is assessed to determine whether a decoration is to be awarded and, if so, what class it will be.

Chapter I of the Rules of Procedure for the Order of the Lion of the Netherlands and the Order of Orange Nassau
Criteria

Article 1

1. The aim of the Order of the Lion of the Netherlands is to honour persons who have rendered society outstanding services of a highly exceptional nature.
    
2. Services as referred to in paragraph 1 shall imply that:
   1. an individual has assumed a responsibility or displayed an ability considerably greater than might have been expected of him/her;
   2. an individual has performed activities, in an excellent manner, which have been of very great benefit to society, in particular if public appreciation of this achievement has not been marked in any other way;
   3. an individual has been responsible - alone or with others, on instructions or otherwise - for a highly exceptional achievement.

Article 2

1. The aim of the Order of Orange Nassau shall be to honour persons who have rendered outstanding service to society.
    
2. Services as referred to in paragraph 1 shall imply that:
   1. an individual has worked for the good of society for a considerable time or has encouraged others to do so;
   2. an individual has been responsible for one or more remarkable achievements or performed one or more remarkable activities which are of outstanding value to society.
       
3. In establishing that services as referred to in paragraph 2 have been performed, account may be taken of the fact that an individual's activities have for a considerable time distinguished him/her from others and have constituted evidence that the individual in question has fulfilled his/her duties in a distinctive and exemplary fashion.