Order of the Netherlands Lion

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Order of the Netherlands Lion Orde van de Nederlandse Leeuw
The decoration of a Knight of the Order of the Netherlands Lion
Awarded by The King of the Netherlands
Type	Chivalric order with three degrees
Established	29 September 1815
Motto	Virtus Nobilitat
Awarded for	Those with merits of a very exceptional nature for society
Status	Currently constituted
Grand Master	King Willem-Alexander
Chancellor	Major general H. Morsink[1]
Grades	Knight/Grand Cross Knight Commander Knight
Former grades	Brother
Precedence
Next (higher)	Honorary Medal for Charitable Assistance in Gold
Next (lower)	Order of Orange-Nassau
Ribbon bar of the Order of the Netherlands Lion

The Order of the Netherlands Lion, also known as the Order of the Lion of the Netherlands (Dutch: De Orde van de Nederlandse Leeuw, French: L'Ordre du Lion Néerlandais) is a Dutch order of chivalry founded by William I of the Netherlands on 29 September 1815.

The Order of the Netherlands Lion was until recently awarded to eminent individuals from all walks of life, including generals, ministers of the crown, mayors of large towns, professors and leading scientists, industrialists, high-ranking civil servants, presiding judges and renowned artists. Since 1980 the Order has been primarily used to recognise merit in the arts, science, sport and literature; others are awarded the Order of Orange-Nassau. Appointment to the grade of Commander (see below) is very rare (Nobel Prizewinners; the conductor Bernard Haitink towards the end of his life, and the dancer and choreographer Hans van Manen, for example). The Order ranks after the Military William Order, which is only awarded for military merit. The second and third class of the Order are not awarded to foreigners; they are eligible for the Order of Orange-Nassau or the Order of the Crown instead.

The King (or Queen) of the Netherlands is the Grand Master of the Order. The Order is issued in three classes. There was also a Medal for "Brothers" which has not been conferred since 1960. The Brothers became extinct and the grade was abolished in 1994.