History

The Princely House Order of Schaumburg-Lippe was originally founded as a joint House Order by Prince Leopold III of Lippe-Detmold and Prince Adolf Georg I of Schaumburg-Lippe.

In 1890, the joint order separated into two house orders, resulting in the formal creation of the Princely House Order of Schaumburg-Lippe. This new order continued to be awarded in recognition of meritorious and faithful civil and military service.

The order crosses that were awarded for military merit feature crossed swords, either through the centre of the cross or on the surmounting ring.

In 1899, it was determined that III and IV Class Crosses could be conferred to recognise cases of extraordinary merit.