The Order of the Dannebrog ()<!--The spelling on the official website is without the S, see the source--> is a Danish order of chivalry instituted in 1671 by Christian V, inspired by the legend that the Dannebrog flag fell from the sky in 1219. The Order's ribbon reflects the flag's colors, white and red, and the badge takes the form of the Dannebrog cross, as used in the royal coat of arms since the 17th century.
Until 1808, membership in the Order was limited to fifty members of noble or royal rank, who formed a single class known as White Knights to distinguish them from the Blue Knights who were members of the Order of the Elephant. In 1808, the Order was reformed and divided into four classes.
Today, the Order of the Dannebrog is a means of honouring and rewarding the faithful servants of the modern Danish state for meritorious civil or military service, for a particular contribution to the arts, sciences or business life, or for working for Danish interests. Therefore women have been eligible for the Order since 1951. The reigning monarch serves as Grand Master, and appointments are typically made on ministerial recommendation.
- Her Majesty Margrethe II, former Queen of Denmark, (14 January 1972)
- His Majesty Carl XVI Gustaf, King of Sweden (10 April 1975)
- His Majesty Harald V, King of Norway (28 October 1991)
- His Royal Highness Joachim, Prince of Denmark (16 April 2004)
- Her Majesty Mary, Queen of Denmark (26 May 2024)
With the death of King Constantine II of Greece in 2023, one Grand Commander position is available. The number of Grand Commanders never exceed 8.
Revocation
It is possible for membership in the Order to be revoked. Before 1808, membership had only been revoked on two occasions – Peder Griffenfeld who was charged with treason, and (1640–1704) who was charged with looting and gross misconduct. In more recent times, it has been revoked on the basis of criminality, such as Peter Adler Alberti (1910), Erik Ninn-Hansen (1995), Peter Brixtofte (2008) and Christian Kjær (2019). Foreigners have also had their membership revoked. Several prominent Nazi officials, such as Hermann Göring and Konstantin von Neurath, were awarded the Order, but it was later revoked.
Jewelers and goldsmiths
thumb|[[Anton Michelsen (1809–1877)]]
Below is a list of jewelers who have made the insignia for the Order:
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! Jeweler
! Period
|-
| Royal Goldsmith Poul Kurtz
| 1655–1679
|-
| Royal Goldsmith Ferdinand Küblich
| 1670–1687
|-
| Royal Goldsmith Fridrich Kurtz
| 1679–1703
|-
| Royal Goldsmith Pierre Tresfort
| 1687–1729
|-
| Royal Goldsmith Jean Henri de Moor
| 1688–1696
|-
| Royal Goldsmith Andreas Normand
| 1700–1727
|-
| Royal Jeweler Frederik Fabritius
| 1746–1778
|-
| Royal Jeweler Christopher Fabritius
| 1778–1829
|-
| Royal Jeweler Frederik Fabritius
| −1832
|-
| Royal Goldsmith Nicolai Christensen
| ?–1832
|-
| Jeweler Poul Ressen Eggersen
| 1832–1841
|-
| Royal Jeweler Anton Michelsen
| 1848–
|-
|}
Anton Michelsen was made a part of Royal Copenhagen A/S, which is now the supplier.
Gallery
<gallery>
File:Order of the Dannebrog 1.png|Grand Cross and knight 1st Class of the order
File:Order of the Dannebrog 4.png|Grand Cross and knight 1st Class of the order
File:Order of the Dannebrog, 1876, General Georg Edvard Ramsay - National Museum of Finland - DSC04020.JPG|Commander 2nd Class set of insignia from the reign of Christian IX
File:Orders of Denmark TMOK 2021.3.jpg|Collection of Orders of the Dannebrog in the Museum of Orders of Chivalry in Tallinn, Estonia
File:Order of the Dannebrog-Frederick IX times.jpg|Commander Class from the reign of King Frederik IX
File:Order of the Dannebrog 6.png|Grand Cross and knight 1st Class of the order
File:Order of the Dannebrog 7.png|Grand Cross and knight 1st Class of the order
File:Order of the Dannebrog - Knight 1st Class.png|Knight 1st Class set of insignia from the reign of Frederik IX
File:Ridderkorset af Dannebrogordenen 1.jpg|Knights Class from the reign of Margrethe II, Ladies version
File:Order of the Dannebrog - Knight 1st Class badge (Reverse).png|Reverse of a Knight 1st Class badge from the reign of Frederik IX
File:Koldinghus, Danish Order of Danebrog 2018-07-26.jpg|Diamond encrusted set of the Grand Cross grade
File:Order of the Dannebrog - Knight 1st Class badge (Obverse).png|Obverse of a Knight 1st Class badge from the reign of Frederik IX
File:Order of the Dannebrog.jpg|Knights Class set of insignia from the reign of Margrethe II
File:Order of the Dannebrog 2.png|Badges of a Grand Cross and knight 1st Class of the order
File:Bryststjerne for Storkommandører og Storkors af Dannebrog, båret af Generalmajor F.A.H.v.Wagner.jpg|Embroidered Grand Cross Star
File:Order of the Dannebrog 9.png|Grand Cross Class of the order from the reign of Frederik IX
File:Order of the Dannebrog 3.png|Grand Cross and knight 1st Class of the order
File:The proclamation and the medals as presented by HM Queen Margrethe.jpg|Insignia of the Knights Class with bestowal document, from the reign of Margrethe II
File:Order of the Dannebrog 8.png|Boxes of the Grand Cross and knight 1st Class of the order
File:Order of the Dannebrog 12.png|Frederik IX era Grand Cross of the order
File:Order of the Dannebrog 11.png|Grand Cross breast star of the order from Frederik IX period
File:Order of the Dannebrog 15.png|Grand Cross breast star
File:Order of the Dannebrog 18.png|Set of the Grand Cross of the order from the reign of King Frederik IX
File:Brystkors for Kommandører af første Grad af Dannebrog.png|Star of the Commander 1st Class grade of the order
File:Riddarkors Dannebrog.png|Knight 2nd Class from the reign of King Frederik IX
File:Ster met diamanten van een Grootkruis in de Dannebrog-Orde.gif|Grand Cross breast star studded with diamonds
File:Order of the Dannebrog 14.png|Grand Cross of the order
File:Statutes of Royal Order of Danneborg.jpg|The statutes of the order
</gallery>
See also
- Dannebrogordenens Hæderstegn
- List of grand commanders of the Order of Dannebrog
- List of orders, decorations, and medals of the Kingdom of Denmark
- Order of the Elephant
- Order of the British Empire, roughly equivalent British honour
- Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps