Order of Isabella The Catholic - Officials and Grades

Officials and Grades

The King of Spain (currently Juan Carlos I) is Grand Master of the Order. The Chancellor of the Order is the Minister of Foreign Affairs. All deeds granting decorations of the Order must bear the signatures of both. Beneath these two officials of the Order, there are currently several grades:

  • First Class
  • Knight of the Collar (Caballeros del Collar) (limited to 25 people)
  • Knight Grand Cross (Caballeros Gran Cruz) (limited to 500 people)
  • Second Class
  • Commander by Number (Encomienda de Número) (limited to 800 people)
  • Commander (Encomienda)
  • Third Class
  • Officer's Cross (Cruz de Oficial)
  • Fourth Class
  • Knight's Cross (Cruz de Caballeros)
  • Fifth Class
  • Silver Cross (Cruz de Plata)
  • Sixth Class
  • Silver Medal (Medalla de Plata)
  • Bronze Medal (Medalla de Bronce)

The original statues of the order of 24 March 1815 established the order in three classes. The structure of the order has varied several times since then. The following is a summary of the history of the various grades and medals of the order:

  • Knights of the Collar (Caballeros del Collar) – Established 22 June 1927.
  • Knights Grand Cross (Caballeros Gran Cruz) – Established 24 March 1815.
  • Knight First Class (Caballeros de Primera Clase) – Established 24 March 1815, retitled Commander (Comdador) on 24 July 1815.
  • Officer (Oficial) – Established 10 October 1931, abolished 15 June 1938 and restored 5 June 1971.
  • Knight Second Class (Caballeros de Segunda Clase) – Established 24 March 1815, retiled Knight (Caballeros) on 24 July 1815.
  • Silver Cross (Cruz de Palata) – Established 16 March 1903 to reward civil and palace officials.
  • Gold Medal with Laureate (Medal de Oro pero Laureada) – Established on 24 July 1815 for award to European sergeants and enlisted men. Subsequently abolished.
  • Gold Medal (Medal de Oro) – Established on 24 July 1815 for award to non-European 'natives'. Subsequently abolished.
  • Silver Medal (Medal de Palata) – Established 15 April 1907 to reward non-commissioned officers and junior civil officials.
  • Bronze Medal (Medal de Bronce) – Established 15 April 1907 to reward non-commissioned officers and junior civil officials.

Women appointed to an applicable grade are not called Knights (Caballeros). Women are instead appointed as Dames of the Collar (Damas del Collar), Dames Grand Cross (Damas Gran Cruz) or Dame's Cross (Cruz de Damas).

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