National Order of Merit (Malta)
National Order of Merit Ordni Nazzjonali tal-Meritu | |
---|---|
Order | |
Motto | Virtute et Constantia |
Awarded for | Presidents, Prime Ministers, and distinguished services to Malta |
Status | Currently constituted |
Grades | Companion of Honour Companion Officer Member Honorary : Companion of Honour with Collar Companion of Honour Companion with Breast Star Companion Officer Member |
Precedence | |
Next (higher) | None (highest) [1] |
Next (lower) | Order of the Tribute to the Republic |
Ribbon bar of the order |
The National Order of Merit is a
The grade of Companion of Honour of the National Order of Merit is the highest honour that the government of Malta may confer upon its citizens. Citizens of other countries may be awarded the order on an honorary basis.
Recipients
The National Order of Merit pays tribute to Maltese citizens who distinguish themselves in different fields of endeavour. The motto of the Order is Virtute et Constantia. Only Maltese citizens are eligible to be appointed members of the Order. However, honorary membership may be conferred on foreign nationals who have distinguished themselves by their service in the promotion and fostering of
In addition to past and present presidents and prime ministers who are by virtue of their offices members of the National Order of Merit in the grade of Companion of Honour, there can be only three other members in this grade at any one time. In the other grades the maximum at any one time is twelve Companions, twenty Officers and one hundred Members. Annual appointments may not exceed two Companions, three Officers and ten Members, provided that in determining the number of appointees to the Order, no account shall be taken of the appointment of Honorary Members.
Grades
National appointments
The four grades of the Order are designed to embrace a wide spectrum of achievement and service. Appointees to the National Order of Merit are entitled in terms of the law to place the following letters after their names:[2]
- Companions of Honour – K.U.O.M. (Kumpannji tal-Unur)
- Companions – K.O.M. (Kumpannji)
- Officers – U.O.M. (Uffiċjali)
- Members – M.O.M. (Membri)
Honorary appointments
In addition to the same rank as national appointments, two ranks have been added
- Honorary Companions of Honour with Collar – K.U.O.M. approved by Legal Notice No. 178 of 7/12/94
- Honorary Companions of Honour – K.U.O.M.
- Honorary Companions with Breast Star – K.O.M. approved by Legal Notice No. 162 of 14/11/95
- Honorary Companions – K.O.M.
- Honorary Officers – U.O.M.
- Honorary Members – M.O.M.
Insignia
- Companions of Honour
The insignia for a Companion of Honour includes a breast star with silver rays 80 mm (3.1 in) in diameter. Superimposed over the rays is a
Honorary companions who are heads of state at the time of their appointment are entitled to wear the badge of the order from a
- Companions
The breast star for a companion is the same as that of the Companion of Honour but without the silver rays. It is a
- Officers
Officers wear the badge of the order suspended from a ribbon 38 mm (1.5 in) wide on the chest. The badge for officers is 45 mm (1.8 in) in diameter. When worn by a female recipient the ribbon suspending the badge is fashioned into a bow.[3]
- Members
Members wear the badge of the order in the same manner as officers. The Maltese Cross on a member's badge is silver instead of enamelled.
See also
References
- ^ "Amendment Rules for Honours, Awards and Decorations, 2009". Laws of Malta. Ministry of Justice, Culture and Local Government. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
- ^ a b "ĠIEH IR-REPUBBLIKA ACT". Laws of Malta. Ministry for Justice, Culture and Local Government. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
- ^ a b c d "SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 251.01 RULES FOR HONOURS, AWARDS AND DECORATIONS". Laws of Malta. Ministry of Justice, Culture and Local Government. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
External links
- Prime Minister website: Presentation of the Order - List of National appointments - List of honorary appointments
- Malta - National Order of Merit, Queen and the Commonwealth The Royal Tour. The Royal Collection.