Order of Saint Ferdinand and of Merit

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Illustrious Royal Order of Saint Ferdinand and of Merit
Orde van de Heilige Ferdinand en van de Verdienste Napels 1800 Grootkruis en ster.jpg
Star and Badge of the Order
Awarded by the Kingdom of Two Sicilies
Type Dynastic order of knighthood
Established1 April 1800
Awarded forImportant deeds and with proof of loyalty to the Head of the Royal House and to the Royal Family
Precedence
Next (higher) Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George
Next (lower) Royal Order of the Two-Sicilies
Royal Order of Saint Ferdinand and of Merit.png
Ribbon of the Order

The Illustrious Royal Order of Saint Ferdinand and Merit is an order of knighthood of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.

Contents

It was established on 1 April 1800 by Ferdinand IV of Naples and III Sicily to reward men who performed important deeds and gave proof of loyalty to the Head of the Royal House and to the Royal Family.

Ranks and Insignia

The Order is divided into three Ranks:

Divisa.Ord.SanFerdinandoMerito.png
Royal Order of Saint Ferdinand and of Merit.png
Knight
Ord.SanFerdinandoMerito-COM.png
Commander
Ord.SanFerdinandoMerito-GC.png
Knight Grand Cross

The decoration is formed by a golden round shield bearing the image of St. Ferdinand, edged by a blue-enameled round plate with the inscription "FIDEI ET MERITO", bordered by six golden rays edged by six white enameled lilies. The ribbon is blue and edged in dark red.

See also

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