History

Established by King Charles XIII, this Order was instituted as an honourary distinction for Swedish Freemasons, to encourage members to be charitable and to recognize civic righteousness.

The Order was conferred upon the King, the Princes of the Royal Family, heirs to the throne, and foreign and Swedish royal Free Masons who were at least 36 years of age.

Recipients of the Order were limited to 33 individuals at a time (excluding the Royal Family), where three individuals must belong to the clergy.

The Master and Lord of the Order is the reigning King of Sweden.

Women are not eligible to receive the Order.

Recognition of this Order as a state decoration was ceased in 1975, and following that year was still conferred privately.