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Order of the Star of Romania

{{Short description|Highest active State decoration of Romania}}

{{Infobox order

| name = Order of the Star of Romania
Ordinul Steaua României

| title = apple

| image = 250px

| caption = Collar of the Order

| image2 =

| caption2 =

| awarded_by = the King of Romania
(1877–1947)
The President of Romania
since 1998

| type = Order of Merit

| established =

| country = Kingdom of Romania
Romania

| house =

| religion =

| motto =

| eligibility = (1) Civil, Military;
(2) Military units;
(3) Foreign citizens

| criteria = (1) Exceptional civil and military services to the Romanian State and the Romanian people;
(2) For special acts in time of peace or for heroic acts in time of war;
(3) For contributing to the development of the friendship relations with Romania, or for other exceptional services to the Romanian State and the Romanian People.

| status = Currently awarded

| founder =

| head_title = Grand Master

| head = President Nicușor Dan

| head2_title =

| head2 =

| head3_title =

| head3 =

| grades = Collar
Grand Cross
Grand Officer
Commander
Officer
Knight/Dame

| post-nominals =

| former_grades =

| first_induction =

| last_induction =

| total =

| higher = Order of Michael the Brave

| same =

| lower = Order of Faithful Service

| related =

| image3 = 90px

| caption3 = Ribbon of the Order of the Star of Romania

}}

The Order of the Star of Romania (Romanian: Ordinul Steaua României) is Romania's highest civil Order and second highest State decoration after the Order of Michael the Brave. It is the oldest Order of Romania. It is awarded by the President of Romania, and has six grades, from lowest to the highest: Knight, Officer, Commander, Grand Officer, Grand Cross, and Grand Cross with Collar.

History

In 1863, Alexandru Ioan Cuza, the Domnitor of the United Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia, asked the Romanian representative to Paris to contact the then well-known jewellery house Krétly, to manufacture a state decoration. Krétly presented a model, which was immediately accepted by the domnitor, and based on his agreement, 1,000 pieces of the order were made. It was decided that the order would have five ranks: Knight (Cavaler), Officer (Ofițer), Commander (Comandor), Grand Officer (Mare Ofițer), and Grand Cross (Mare Cruce).{{cite web|url=https://canord.presidency.ro/ro/pagina/ordinul-national-steaua-romaniei|title=Ordinul naţional "Steaua României"|language=ro|website=presidency.ro|access-date=4 May 2023}}

Unlike all other decorations in that time that were mostly inspired on the French Légion d'honneur, or which had their insignia like a Maltese cross, the model proposed by Krétly for this order was a blue cross crosslet (cruce repetată), a design that was then unique in decorational design.

The domnitor decided that the name of the honour would be "The Order of the Union" ("Ordinul Unirii"). It was planned to institute the order on 24 January 1864, the date when the 5th anniversary of his election would be celebrated and a moment that marked the unification of the principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia. Because of this, the motto of the new order would fit the event: "GENERE ET CORDES FRATRES" ("BROTHERS THROUGH ORIGINS AND FEELINGS"). The obverse of the insignia would bear the numbers "5" and "24", the days of January when he was elected in both Moldova and Wallachia.

However, due to the overthrow of Alexandru Ioan Cuza by a palace coup, he was unable to actually institute the order, and he awarded the insignia therefore only as a personal present, not as a state decoration. Most of the insignia produced for him remained stored in the Royal Palace's cellars.

File:Steaua Romaniei Com civ md 1877 av.jpg

In April 1877, when Romania gained independence from the Ottoman Empire, the debate regarding the institution of Romanian decorations was revived. Mihail Kogălniceanu, Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Ion Brătianu cabinet, took part in the debates in the Assembly of Deputies regarding the institution of a state decoration. Because of the already earlier supplied "Order of The Union", it was decided that the shape of the decoration would be the same, modifying only the domnitor's seal. The motto was also changed, because the old one was not appropriate to the moment, to "IN FIDE SALUS" ("IN FAITH IS THE SALVATION"). Regarding the name, Kogălniceanu insisted on "Steaua Dunării" ("The Star of The Danube").

The name "Steaua României" ("The Star of Romania") appeared on 10 May 1877, when the law was voted in the Parliament, as the first law of the Sovereign Romania.

By Royal Decree (no. 1545/1932), King Carol II changed the order of precedence in the Romanian honours system. As a result, in 1932, The Star of Romania dropped in precedence from second place (where it had been since 1906) to fourth place (after the Order of Carol I and the {{ill|Order of Ferdinand I|ro|Ordinul Ferdinand I}}). In 1937, it dropped to seventh place. The main shape of the order, the blue repeated cross (called also "Romanian cross") was kept, but the rays between the cross' arms were replaced by four heraldic eagles with wings spread, the insignia of King Carol I was placed on the obverse, and the reverse bore the year of its establishment, "1877". Also the number of persons that could be awarded The Star of Romania was increased:

  • Knight (Cavaler): 1,000 civilians and 350 military;
  • Officer (Ofițer): 500 civilians and 150 military;
  • Commander (Comandor): 200 civilians and 75 military;
  • Grand Officer (Mare Ofițer): 75 civilians and 25 military;
  • Grand Cross (Mare Cruce): 35 civilians and 10 military.

In 1938, the order was given a superior rank, called "Clasa I" (First Class in English), between the Grand Officer rank and the Grand Cross rank, with a maximum of 50 civilians and 15 military personnel.

The statutes established by King Carol II were changed by General Ion Antonescu (who became Conducător on 4 September 1940). Generally, the rules were the ones used during World War I. The order "The Star of Romania" became the second in the national hierarchy, after that of the Order of Michael the Brave.

Inspired by the German Iron Cross, Ion Antonescu decided that the first three grades of the orders the Star of Romania and the Crown of Romania, with spades (swords), and the ribbon of The Medal "The Military Virtue" would be awarded for exceptionally brave acts with an oak leaf, attached to the ribbon.

After 1948, all the existing decorations were outlawed, and their wearing was forbidden. Just by keeping the insignia, one was considered a delinquent in the first years of communism.

In 1993, the idea of reinstating the oldest Order was proposed within the Special Commission of the Chamber of Deputies. After several attempts, in 1998/1999 the National Order "The Star of Romania" was reinstituted, with a design similar to the one used in 1932, but without the insignia of King Carol I, and with the republican insignia.

Grades

As per Law 29/2000, regarding Romania's national system of decorations, there are currently six grades:{{cite web|title=LEGE nr. 29 din 31 martie 2000 privind sistemul national de decoratii al Romaniei|url=http://www.monitoruljuridic.ro/act/lege-nr-29-din-31-martie-2000-privind-sistemul-national-de-decoratii-al-romaniei-emitent-parlamentul-publicat-n-21756.html|publisher=Monitorul Oficial al României|access-date=13 December 2015}}

  • 1st Class: Collar (Colan);
  • 2nd Class: Grand Cross (Mare Cruce);
  • 3rd Class: Grand Officer (Mare Ofițer);
  • 4th Class: Commander (Comandor);
  • 5th Class: Officer (Ofițer);
  • 6th Class: Knight (Cavaler).

Notable recipients

File:Romanian Star Vlaicu 11Oct1911.jpg|Certificate confirming that the Star of Romania was awarded to Aurel Vlaicu in the name of King Carol I.

File:Steauaromaniei.jpg|Certificate confirming that the Star of Romania was awarded to Ernesto Burzagli in the name of King Ferdinand I.

File:Alexandru Munteanu 1928.jpg|Alexandru Munteanu wearing an officer's cross, civilian version.

File:Dr Dimitrie Tușinschi Demeter von Tuschinski ca 1937 Colorized.jpg|Dr. Dimitrie Tușinschi wearing a civilian commander's cross, awarded in 1928.

File:ConstantinPoenaru.jpg|Constantin Poenaru wearing a grand officer's cross, military version with crossed swords.

=First issue (1877–1948)=

=Second issue (since 1998)=

==Foreign citizens==

class="wikitable sortable"
No.NameKnown forYear
Appointed
1

| {{Flag icon|France}} Jacques Chirac

| President of France

| rowspan=4|1998

2

| {{Flag icon|Peru}} Alberto Fujimori

| President of Peru

3

| {{Flag icon|Finland}} Martti Ahtisaari

| President of Finland

4

| {{Flag icon|Bulgaria}} Petar Stoyanov

| President of Bulgaria

5

| {{Flag icon|Poland}} Aleksander Kwaśniewski

| President of Poland

| rowspan=10|1999

6

| {{Flag icon|Austria}} Thomas Klestil

| President of Austria

7

| {{Flag icon|Greece}} Konstantinos Stephanopoulos

| President of Greece

8

| {{Flag icon|Turkey}} Süleyman Demirel

| President of Turkey

9

| {{Flag icon|Norway}} Harald V

| King of Norway

10

| {{Flag icon|Qatar}} Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani

| Emir of Qatar

11

| {{Flag icon|Kuwait}} Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah

| Emir of Kuwait

12

| {{Flag icon|Kazakhstan}} Nursultan Nazarbayev

| President of Kazakhstan

13

| {{Flag icon|Albania}} Rexhep Meidani

| President of Albania

14

| {{Flag icon|Israel}} Ezer Weizman

| President of Israel

15

| {{Flag icon|Moldova}} Petru Lucinschi

| President of Moldova

| rowspan=11|2000

16

| {{Flag icon|United Kingdom}} Elizabeth II

| Queen of the United Kingdom

17

| {{Flag icon|Portugal}} Jorge Sampaio

| President of Portugal

18

| {{Flag icon|Hungary}} Árpád Göncz

| President of Hungary

19

| {{Flag icon|Denmark}} Margrethe II

| Queen of Denmark

20

| {{Flag icon|Slovakia}} Rudolf Schuster

| President of Slovakia

21

| {{Flag icon|Croatia}} Stjepan Mesić

| President of Croatia

22

| {{Flag icon|Mexico}} Ernesto Zedillo

| President of Mexico

23

| {{Flag icon|Brazil}} Fernando Henrique Cardoso

| President of Brazil

24

| {{Flag icon|Thailand}} Bhumibol Adulyadej

| King of Thailand

25

| {{Flag icon|Ukraine}} Leonid Kuchma

| President of Ukraine

26

| {{Flag icon|Lebanon}} Émile Lahoud

| President of Lebanon

| rowspan=5|2001

27

| {{Flag icon|Ghana}} Kofi Annan

| Secretary-General of the United Nations

28

| {{Flag icon|Netherlands}} Beatrix

| Queen of the Netherlands

29

| {{Flag icon|Lithuania}} Valdas Adamkus

| President of Lithuania

30

| {{Flag icon|Latvia}} Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga

| President of Latvia

31

| {{Flag icon|Sovereign Military Order of Malta}} Andrew Bertie

| Prince and Grand Master of the Order of Malta

| rowspan=8|2002

32

| {{Flag icon|United Arab Emirates}} Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan

| President of United Arab Emirates

33

| {{Flag icon|Philippines}} Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

| President of Philippines

34

| {{Flag icon|Slovenia}} Milan Kučan

| President of Slovenia

35

| {{Flag icon|Hungary}} Ferenc Mádl

| President of Hungary

36

| {{Flag icon|United States}} George W. Bush

| President of the United States

37

| {{Flag icon|San Marino}} Mauro Chiaruzzi

| Captains Regent of San Marino

38

| {{Flag icon|San Marino}} Giuseppe Maria Morganti

| Captains Regent of San Marino

39

| {{Flag icon|Tunisia}} Zine El Abidine Ben Ali

| President of Tunisia

| rowspan=6|2003

40

| {{Flag icon|Sweden}} Carl XVI Gustaf

| King of Sweden

41

| {{Flag icon|Spain}} Juan Carlos I

| King of Spain

42

| {{Flag icon|Italy}} Carlo Azeglio Ciampi

| President of Italy

43

| {{Flag icon|Estonia}} Arnold Rüütel

| President of Estonia

44

| {{Flag icon|United States}} Condoleezza Rice

| United States Secretary of State

45

| {{Flag icon|Luxembourg}} Henri I

| Grand Duke of Luxembourg

| rowspan=7|2004

46

| {{Flag icon|Vatican City}} Angelo Sodano

| Cardinal Secretary of State

47

| {{Flag icon|Malta}} Eddie Fenech Adami

| President of Malta

48

| {{Flag icon|San Marino}} Giuseppe Arzilli

| Captains Regent of San Marino

49

| {{Flag icon|San Marino}} Roberto Raschi

| Captains Regent of San Marino

50

| {{Flag icon|Chile}} Ricardo Lagos

| President of Chile

51

| {{Flag icon|Azerbaijan}} Ilham Aliyev

| President of Azerbaijan

52

| {{Flag icon|Jordan}} Abdullah II

| King of Jordan

| 2005

53

| {{Flag icon|Finland}} Tarja Halonen

| President of Finland

| 2006

54

| {{Flag icon|Romania}} George Emil Palade

| Professor, Biologist

| 2007

55

| {{Flag icon|Vatican City}} Tarcisio Bertone

| Cardinal Secretary of State

| rowspan=2|2008

56

| {{Flag icon|Sovereign Military Order of Malta}} Matthew Festing

| Prince and Grand Master of the Order of Malta

57

| {{Flag icon|Poland}} Lech Kaczyński

| President of Poland

| rowspan=4|2009

58

| {{Flag icon|Lebanon}} Michel Suleiman

| President of Lebanon

59

| {{Flag icon|Monaco}} Albert II

| Prince of Monaco

60

| {{Flag icon|Belgium}} Albert II

| King of the Belgians

61

| {{Flag icon|Moldova}} Mihai Ghimpu

| President of Moldova

| rowspan=2|2010

62

| {{Flag icon|Malta}} George Abela

| President of Malta

63

| {{Flag icon|Latvia}} Valdis Zatlers

| President of Latvia

| rowspan=3|2011

65

| {{Flag icon|Estonia}} Toomas Hendrik Ilves

| President of Estonia

66

| {{flag icon|Italy}} Giorgio Napolitano

| President of Italy

67

| {{Flag icon|Vatican City}} Pietro Parolin

| Cardinal Secretary of State

| rowspan=4|2015

68

| {{Flag icon|Portugal}} Aníbal Cavaco Silva

| President of Portugal

69

| {{Flag icon|United Kingdom}} Dennis Deletant

| Professor

70

| {{Flag icon|Lithuania}} Dalia Grybauskaitė

| President of Lithuania

71

| {{Flag icon|Italy}} Sergio Mattarella

| President of Italy

| rowspan=6|2016

72

| {{Flag icon|Bulgaria}} Rosen Plevneliev

| President of Bulgaria

73

| {{Flag icon|Germany}} Joachim Gauck{{cite news|url=http://www.mediafax.ro/politic/iohannis-i-a-decorat-pe-presedintele-germaniei-si-pe-partenera-sa-15503105|title=Iohannis i-a decorat pe președintele Germaniei şi pe partenera sa|publisher=Mediafax|date=22 June 2016|access-date=22 June 2016|language=ro}}

| President of Germany

74

| {{Flag icon|Poland}} Andrzej Duda

| President of Poland

75

| {{Flag icon|France}} François Hollande

| President of France

76

| {{Flag icon|Slovakia}} Andrej Kiska

| President of Slovakia

77

| {{Flag icon|Moldova}} Nicolae Timofti

| President of Moldova

| rowspan="5" |2017

78

| {{Flag icon|Croatia}} Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović

| President of Croatia

79

| {{Flag icon|UK}} Charles III

| King of the United Kingdom

80

|{{Flag icon|France}} Dominique Prince de La Rochefoucauld-Montbel

|Grand Hospitaler of Order of Malta (SMOM)

81

| {{Flag icon|France}} Frédéric Jenny

|Professor

82

| {{Flag icon|Estonia}} Kersti Kaljulaid

| President of Estonia

| 2021

81

|{{Flag icon|Lithuania}} Gitanas Nausėda

|President of Lithuania

|2022

==By class==

{{collapse top|List of recipients by class}}

{{Dynamic list|multiple=yes}}

{{Div col|colwidth=15em|rules=|gap=4em}}

;1st Class: Collars

;2nd Class: Grand Crosses

;3rd Class: Grand Officers

;4th Class: Commanders

;5th Class: Officers

;6th Class: Knights

;Unknown Class

{{Div col end}}

{{Collapse bottom|}}

See also

References

{{Reflist}}

Sources

  • {{in lang|ro}} [http://canord.presidency.ro/IstoricSR.htm Ordinul național "Steaua României"], Presidency of Romania website
  • {{in lang|ro}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20180929173722/http://canord.presidency.ro/Ord.St.Rom..xls Recipients of the order (Excel sheet)], Presidency of Romania website

{{Romanian National Decorations System}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Star of Romania}}

Category:Romanian decorations

Category:Military awards and decorations of Romania

Star of Romania, Order of the