List of grand commanders of the Order of Dannebrog

Grand commanders of the Order of the Dannebrog have been appointed by the Sovereign of the Royal Danish Orders of Chivalry, i.e. the Danish monarch, since the general reorganization of the order by royal letters patent of June 28, 1808. The grand commanders form a special class above the three ordinary classes of the Order of the Dannebrog. Thus, they outrank the Knights Grand Cross of the Dannebrog. Together with the knights of the Order of the Elephant, grand commanders constitute the Chapter of the Royal Danish Orders of Chivalry.

Grand commanders are, or have been, either

  • prominent members of the Danish royal family,
  • kings and emperors related to the Danish monarch, or,
  • other close relations of royal or princely status who are not members of the Danish royal family

Presently seven persons wear the grand commander's insignia. They are the six grand commanders and King Frederik X, the sovereign of the order. By royal ordinance of October 10, 1951 women can be appointed grand commanders. Therefore, the women that appear in the list before that date were, strictly speaking, not appointed grand commanders as much as awarded the honour of wearing the insignia of a grand commander.

Grand commanders of the Order of the Dannebrog

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Nr Date Image Name Title Country Motto Notes
Frederik VI (1768–1839), the founder
1 28 June 1808
 
Frederik VI of Denmark King of Denmark (1808–39)
King of Norway (1808–14)
  Denmark
  Norway
God and the just cause (Danish: Gud og den retfærdige sag)
2 14 December 1808
 
Christian August of Schleswig-Holstein-Sønderburg-Augustenborg Governor-General of Norway (1809–10)
Crown Prince of Sweden (1810)
  Denmark
  Norway
  Sweden
3 16 December 1813
 
Prince Frederik of Hesse-Cassel Governor-General of Norway (1809–10)   Denmark
  Hesse
Brother-in-law and first cousin of Frederik VI
4 10 September 1817
 
Prince Carl of Hesse-Kassel Governor-General of Norway (1766–68)
Governor of Schleswig-Holstein (1769–1836)
  Denmark
  Hesse
Father-in-law of Frederik VI
5 28 October 1828
 
Christian VIII of Denmark Prince and Heir Presumptive of Denmark (1786–1808)
King of Norway 1814
King of Denmark (1839–48)
  Denmark
  Norway
God and the fatherland (Danish: Gud og Fædrelandet) First cousin of Frederik VI. Appointed while Prince and Heir Presumptive (1808–39) in honour of the Queen's birthday. Appointed Master of the Order upon his succession to the throne.
Christian VIII (1839–48)
6 28 January 1840
 
Marie, Dowager Queen of Denmark Princess of Hesse-Cassel (1767–90)
Crown Princess of Denmark (1790–1808)
Queen consort of Denmark (1808–39)
Queen consort of Norway (1808–14)
Dowager Queen of Denmark (1839–52)
  Denmark
  Hesse
  Norway
Widow of King Frederik VI. Only awarded insignia.
7 10 June 1841
 
Frederik VII of Denmark Crown Prince of Denmark (1808–48)
King of Denmark (1848–63)
  Denmark The people's love, my strength (Danish: Folkets Kærlighed, min Styrke) Son of Christian VIII. Appointed while Crown Prince (1808–48) in honour of his wedding to Duchess Caroline Mariane of Mecklenburg. Appointed Master of the Order upon his succession to the throne.
Frederik VII (1848–63)
8 1 August 1854
 
Ferdinand, Hereditary Prince of Denmark Prince of Denmark (1792–1848)
Heir Presumptive of Denmark (1848–63)
  Denmark Brother of Christian VIII. Appointed while Heir Presumptive. Died four months before his nephew.
9 10 June 1860
 
Carl XV & IV of Sweden and Norway Duke of Skåne (1826–72)
Crown Prince of Sweden (1844–59)
King of Sweden and Norway (1859–72)
  Sweden
  Norway
Father-in-law of Frederik VIII
10 10 November 1860
 
Vilhelm, Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel Prince of Hesse-Cassel (1787–1837)
Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel (1937–67)
  Hesse Brother-in-law of Christian VIII and father-in-law of Christian IX.
Christian IX (1863–1906)
11 15 November 1863
 
Christian IX of Denmark Prince of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg (1825–53)
Prince of Denmark (1853–63)
King of Denmark (1863–1906)
  Denmark With God for honour and justice (Danish: Med Gud for ære og ret) Didn't become Grand Commander till he succeeded to the throne. Upon his succession, he also became Master of the Order.
12 15 July 1865
 
Caroline Amalie, Dowager Queen of Denmark Princess of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg (1796–1815)
Princess of Denmark (1815–39)
Queen consort of Denmark (1839–48)
Dowager Queen of Denmark (1848–81)
  Denmark Widow of Christian VIII. Only awarded insignia.
13 28 July 1869
 
Frederik VIII of Denmark Prince of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg (1843–53)
Prince of Denmark (1853–63)
Crown Prince of Denmark (1863–1906)
King of Denmark (1906–12)
  Denmark The Lord is my aid (Danish: Herren er min hjælper) Son of Christian IX. Appointed while Crown Prince (1863–1906) in honour of his wedding to Louise of Sweden. Appointed Master of the Order upon his succession to the throne.
14 30 June 1871
 
George I of Greece Prince of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg (1845–53)
Prince of Denmark (1853–63)
The King of the Hellenes (1863–1913)
  Denmark
  Greece
Son of Christian IX.
15 7 September 1883
 
Queen Louise of Denmark Princess of Hesse-Cassel (1817–42)
Princess of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg (1842–53)
Princess of Denmark (1853–63)
Queen consort of Denmark (1863–98)
  Denmark
  Hesse
Consort of Christian IX. Only awarded insignia. Appointed in honour of her 66th birthday.
16 9 November 1891
 
Alexander III of Russia Grand Duke of Russia (1845–65)
Tsesarevich of Russia (1865–81)
Emperor of Russia (1881–94)
  Russia Son-in-law of Christian IX. Appointed in honour of his and Dagmar of Denmark's 25th wedding anniversary.
17 26 November 1894
 
Nicholas II of Russia Grand Duke of Russia (1868–81)
Tsesarevich of Russia (1881–94)
Emperor of Russia (1894–1917)
  Russia Grandson of Christian IX. Appointed when he succeeded to the Russian throne.
18 21 July 1900
 
Prince Valdemar of Denmark Prince of Denmark (1858–1939)   Denmark Son of Christian IX.
19 9 September 1901
 
Edward VII of the United Kingdom Duke of Cornwall (1841–1901)
Prince of Wales (1841–1901)
King of the United Kingdom (1901–11)
  United Kingdom Son-in-law of Christian IX.
Christian X (1912–47)
20 14 May 1912
 
Christian X of Denmark Prince of Denmark (1870–1906)
Crown Prince of Denmark (1906–12)
King of Denmark (1912–47)
King of Iceland (1918–44)
  Denmark
  Iceland
My God, my country, my honour (Danish: Min Gud, mit land, min ære) Didn't become Grand Commander till he succeeded to the throne. Upon his succession, he also became Master of the Order.
21 14 May 1912
 
Haakon VII of Norway Prince of Denmark (1872–1905)
King of Norway (1905–57)
  Denmark
  Norway
Brother of Christian X.
22 28 March 1913
 
Constantine I of Greece Prince of Greece (1868–1913)
Prince of Denmark (1868–1923)
King of the Hellenes (1913–23)
  Greece
  Denmark
First cousin of Christian X. Appointed upon his succession to the throne.
23 18 April 1913
 
George V of the United Kingdom Prince of the United Kingdom 1865-92
Duke of York (1892–1901)
Duke of Cornwall and York 1901
Prince of Wales (1901–10)
King of the United Kingdom (1910–36)
  United Kingdom First cousin of Christian X.
24 10 July 1920
 
Prince George of Greece and Denmark Prince of Greece and Denmark (1869–1957)
High Commissioner of Crete (1898–1906)
  Greece
  Denmark
First cousin of Christian X.
25 3 February 1936
 
Frederik IX of Denmark Prince of Denmark (1899–1912)
Crown Prince of Denmark (1912–47)
Crown Prince of Iceland (1918–44)
King of Denmark (1947–72)
  Denmark
  Iceland
With God for Denmark (Danish: Med Gud for Danmark) Son of Christian X. Appointed while Crown Prince (1912–47).
26 15 May 1937
 
Knud, Hereditary Prince of Denmark Prince of Denmark (1900–53)
Hereditary Prince of Denmark (1953–76)
  Denmark Son of Christian X.
27 1945
 
Gustaf V of Sweden Duke of Värmland (1858–1950)
Prince of Sweden and Norway (1958–72)
Crown Prince of Sweden (1872–1907)
Crown Prince of Norway (1872–1905)
King of Sweden (1907–50)
  Sweden Grandfather of Christian X's daughter-in-law Ingrid of Sweden.
28 26 March 1947
 
Prince Axel of Denmark Prince of Denmark (1888–1964)   Denmark First cousin of Christian X.
Frederik IX (1947–72)
29 26 May 1948
 
Alexandrine, Dowager Queen of Denmark Duchess of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (1879–98)
Princess of Denmark (1898–1906)
Crown Princess of Denmark (1906–12)
Queen consort of Denmark (1912–47)
Dowager Queen of Denmark (1947–52)
  Denmark
  Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Consort of Christian X, and mother of Frederik IX. Only awarded insignia. Appointed in honour of the 50th anniversary of her arriving in Denmark.
30 8 May 1951
 
George VI of the United Kingdom Prince of the United Kingdom (1895–1936)
Duke of York (1920–36)
King of the United Kingdom (1936–52)
  United Kingdom Second cousin of Frederik IX.
31 24 March 1952
 
Gustaf VI Adolf of Sweden Duke of Skåne (1882–1950)
Prince of Sweden (1882–1907)
Prince of Norway (1882–1905)
Crown Prince of Sweden (1907–50)
King of Sweden (1950–73)
  Sweden Father-in-law of Frederik IX.
32 11 September 1958
 
Olav V of Norway Prince of Denmark (1903–05)
Crown Prince of Norway (1905–57)
King of Norway (1957–91)
  Norway
  Denmark
First cousin of Frederik IX.
33 11 March 1959
 
Queen Ingrid of Denmark Princess of Sweden 1910–35
Crown Princess of Denmark (1935–47)
Crown Princess of Iceland (1935–44)
Queen consort of Denmark (1947–72)
Dowager Queen of Denmark (1972–2002)
  Sweden
  Denmark
Consort of Frederik IX. Appointed in honour of Frederik IX's 50th birthday. First woman to be appointed Grand Commander on equal terms as the men.
34 29 January 1963
 
Paul of Greece Prince of Greece (1901–35)
Prince of Denmark (1901–64)
Crown Prince of Greece (1935–47)
King of the Hellenes (1947–64)
  Greece
  Denmark
Second cousin of Frederik IX and father of his son-in-law, Constantine II of Greece. Appointed in honour of the engagement between Princess Anne-Marie of Denmark and Crown Prince Constantine of Greece.
35 12 March 1964
 
Constantine II of Greece Prince of Greece (1940–47)
Prince of Denmark (1940–2023)
Crown Prince of Greece (1947–64)
King of the Hellenes (1964–73)
  Greece
  Denmark
Son-in-law of Frederik IX. Appointed upon his succession to the throne.
36 1968
 
Prince Viggo, Count of Rosenborg Prince of Denmark (1893–1924)
Count of Rosenborg (1924–70)
  Denmark First cousin once removed of Frederik IX.
Margrethe II (1972–present)
37 14 January 1972
 
Margrethe II of Denmark Princess of Denmark (1940–53)
Princess of Iceland (1940–44)
Heiress Presumptive of Denmark (1953–72)
Queen of Denmark (1972–present)
  Denmark God's help, the people's love, Denmark's strength (Danish: Guds hjælp, folkets kærlighed, Danmarks styrke) Didn't become Grand Commander till she succeeded to the throne. Upon her succession, she also became Master of the Order.
38 16 April 1973
 
Prince Henrik of Denmark Prince of Denmark (1967–72)
Prince consort of Denmark (1972–2018)
  Denmark Prince consort of Margrethe II. Appointed in honour of her 33rd birthday.
39 10 April 1975
 
Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden Duke of Jämtland (1946–1973)
Prince of Sweden (1946–50)
Crown Prince of Sweden (1950–73)
King of Sweden (1973–present)
  Sweden First cousin of Margrethe II.
40 28 October 1991
 
Harald V of Norway Prince of Norway (1937–57)
Crown Prince of Norway (1957–91)
King of Norway (1991–present)
  Norway Second cousin of Margrethe II.
41 27 January 1993
 
Princess Benedikte of Denmark Princess of Denmark (1944–present)
Princess of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg (1968–2017)
Dowager Princess of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg (2017–present)
  Denmark Sister of Margrethe II. Appointed in honour of her 25th wedding anniversary.[1]
42 1 January 2004
 
Frederik X of Denmark Prince of Denmark (1968–72)
Crown Prince of Denmark (1972–2024)
King of Denmark (2024-Present)
  Denmark United, committed, for the Kingdom of Denmark (Danish: Forbundne, forpligtet, for Kongeriget Danmark) Son of Margrethe II. Appointed while Crown Prince (1972–2024).[2]
43 16 April 2004
 
Prince Joachim of Denmark Prince of Denmark (1969–present)   Denmark Son of Margrethe II. Appointed in honour of the Queen's 64th birthday.[3]
Frederik X (2024–present)
44 26 May 2024
 
Queen Mary of Denmark Crown Princess of Denmark (2004–2024)
Queen consort of Denmark (2024-Present)
  Denmark Consort of Frederik X. Appointed in honour of the King's 56th birthday.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "H.K.H. Prinsesse Benedikte--Danske dekorationer". Hendes Kongelige Højhed Prinsesse Benedikte. Kongehuset (The Royal House of Denmark). 2012. Retrieved 28 December 2012. Storkommandør af Dannebrogordenen (S.Kmd.)Hjemmeværnets Fortjensttegn (Hjv.Ft.)
  2. ^ "H.K.H. Kronprinsen--Danske dekorationer". Hans Kongelige Højhed Kronprins Frederik. Kongehuset (The Royal House of Denmark). 2012. Retrieved 28 December 2012. Storkommandør (S.Kmd.)
  3. ^ "H.K.H. Prins Joachim--Danske dekorationer". Hans Kongelige Højhed Prins Joachim. Kongehuset (The Royal House of Denmark). 2012. Retrieved 28 December 2012. Storkommandør af Dannebrogordenen (S.Kmd.)
  4. ^ "H.M. Dronningen er tildelt Storkommandørkorset af Dannebrogordenen" [HM The Queen has been awarded the Grand Commander's Cross of the Order of the Dannebrog]. Kongehuset (in Danish). 26 May 2024. Retrieved 2024-05-26.

See also

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