Order of the Crown
The Order of the Crown of Georgia is a dynastic distinction of the Royal House of Georgia, established by His Royal Highness Prince Davit Bagration of Mukhrani on 25 April 2009.
It is awarded in recognition of extraordinary service to Georgia, the Royal House, the Georgian monarchical cause, and the wider public good.
Prince Davit has served as Sovereign Grand Master of the Order since its establishment.
Origins of the Order
The origins of the Order can be traced to a project considered by His Royal Highness Prince Giorgi Bagration of Mukhrani in 2000.
Prince Giorgi was reviewing the system of distinctions associated with the Royal House, including the Order of the Eagle of Georgia and the Order of Saint Queen Tamar. During this work, he considered establishing an Order of the Crown to recognize individuals who had given exceptional support to the Georgian monarchical cause and the restoration of the monarchy.
Proposals and designs were prepared, but the project was postponed and the Order was not formally established during Prince Giorgi’s lifetime.
Establishment by Prince Davit
Prince Giorgi died in Tbilisi on 16 January 2008 and was succeeded as Head of the Royal House of Georgia by his son, His Royal Highness Prince Davit Bagration of Mukhrani.
Prince Davit later revived the project first considered by his father. On 25 April 2009, he issued the founding decree of the Order in Tbilisi.
The decree established the Insignia or Plaque of the Order of the Crown of Georgia and provided that it would be conferred motu proprio by the Head of the Royal House.
The foundation of the Order also honored the intentions of Prince Giorgi, who had first proposed a distinction bearing the name of the Georgian Crown.
Purpose of the Order
The Order of the Crown of Georgia recognizes individuals whose work has made an exceptional contribution to Georgia, the Royal House, or the Georgian monarchical cause.
Service recognized by the Order may include:
- Support for the rights and mission of the Royal House of Georgia
- Service to Georgia and the Georgian people
- Promotion of Georgian history, culture, traditions, and national identity
- Support for the restoration of the Georgian monarchy
- Charitable and humanitarian work
- Cultural, academic, diplomatic, civic, or public service
The Order may be conferred upon Georgian citizens or foreign nationals whose actions merit the personal recognition of the Head of the Royal House.
Conferral by the Sovereign Grand Master
The Order is conferred by the Head of the Royal House in his capacity as Sovereign Grand Master.
The term motu proprio indicates that the honor is granted on the Sovereign Grand Master’s own initiative and authority.
Admission is not based upon an application process, seniority within another Order, or a prescribed period of service. Each appointment is a personal act of recognition by the Head of the Royal House.
Grade of the Order
The Order of the Crown of Georgia is conferred in a single grade:
- Knight or Dame of the Order of the Crown of Georgia
There is no system of advancement through multiple grades. The Order was created as a distinct recognition of exceptional service.
The Insignia
The insignia was defined in the founding decree of 25 April 2009.
It consists of a radiant silver plaque bearing a slightly curved red enamel cross pattée outlined in white enamel. At the center is a circular medallion displaying the Georgian national flag and the Royal Crown in gold upon a blue field. Seven gold rays appear between the arms of the cross.
The design adopted by Prince Davit differed from the proposals considered during Prince Giorgi’s lifetime and placed particular emphasis upon the Georgian identity of the Order.
The national flag represents Georgia and its people. The Royal Crown represents the Georgian monarchy, the authority of the Royal House, and the continuity of the Bagrationi dynasty.
A Modern Dynastic Order
The Order of the Crown of Georgia is a modern creation of Prince Davit, although its conception began under Prince Giorgi.
It forms part of the contemporary system of distinctions of the Royal House alongside the older Royal Orders:
- The Order of the Eagle of Georgia and the Seamless Tunic of Our Lord Jesus Christ is the premier dynastic order of the Royal House.
- The Order of Saint Queen Tamar preserves its historical connection with Georgia’s struggle for national independence.
- The Order of the Crown of Georgia recognizes extraordinary service personally acknowledged by the Head of the Royal House.
Service to the Georgian Monarchical Cause
The Georgian monarchical cause includes support for the Royal House, the preservation of Georgia’s dynastic heritage, and the restoration of the Georgian monarchy under the lawful Head of the House of Bagration.
This service may take cultural, academic, diplomatic, charitable, humanitarian, institutional, or public form. It may also include work that increases knowledge of Georgia, strengthens Georgian national identity, or advances the interests of the Georgian people.
The Order recognizes service expressed through action, achievement, sacrifice, and sustained commitment.
The Sovereign Grand Mastership of Prince Davit
Prince Davit has served as Sovereign Grand Master of the Order of the Crown of Georgia since establishing it in 2009.
During his Grand Mastership, the Order has been awarded selectively to individuals whose service has earned the personal recognition of the Head of the Royal House.
The Order remains under the direct authority of the Sovereign Grand Master and forms part of the official system of distinctions administered by the Royal House of Georgia.
The Meaning of the Crown
The Crown at the center of the insignia symbolizes the continuity of the Georgian monarchy and the responsibilities of the Royal House toward Georgia and its people.
It also represents authority joined with service. Recipients are recognized not only for personal achievement, but for placing their abilities and accomplishments in the service of Georgia, the Royal House, or the public good.
A Distinction for Exceptional Service
The Order of the Crown of Georgia is among the most selective distinctions of the Royal House.
Its character is defined by its single grade, its direct conferral by the Sovereign Grand Master, and the exceptional service for which it is awarded.
Through the Order, the Royal House honors individuals whose actions demonstrate loyalty, achievement, service, and commitment to Georgia, its people, its Crown, and its future.
