Order of Merit

The Order of Merit (French: Ordre du Mérite)[n 1] is an order of merit for the Commonwealth realms, recognising distinguished service in the armed forces, science, art, literature, or for the promotion of culture. Established in 1902 by King Edward VII, admission into the order remains the personal gift of its Sovereign—currently Edward VII's great-granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth II—and is restricted to a maximum of 24 living recipients from the Commonwealth realms, plus a limited number of honorary members.[1][2] While all members are awarded the right to use the post-nominal letters OM and wear the badge of the order,[3] the Order of Merit's precedence among other honours differs between countries.

This article is about the Order of Merit in the Commonwealth realms. For orders of merit in general, see Order of merit.

Order of Merit
Badge and ribbon of the order
Awarded by Elizabeth II
TypeOrder of merit
Established26 June 1902
MottoFor Merit
EligibilityAll living citizens of the Commonwealth realms
CriteriaAt the monarch's pleasure
StatusCurrently constituted
FounderEdward VII
SovereignElizabeth II
GradesMember (OM)
Precedence
Next (higher)Dependent on state
Next (lower)Dependent on state

Ribbon bar of the order
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