Order of Merit of the Portuguese Royal House
The Order of Merit of the Portuguese Royal House / Ordem do Mérito da Casa Real Portuguesa or Ordem do Mérito da Causa Monárquica is an award for extraordinary services rendered to the Portuguese Royal House and for outstanding Merit in the Monarchist Cause.[1]
The Order also confers the Medal of dedication to the Monarchist Cause, Youth Medal of dedication to the Monarchist Cause and Youth Medal of Fidelity.
The Royal Patron is the Head of the Portuguese Royal House. The Chancellor of the Order is Dr. José António da Cunha Coutinho.
History
The award was instituted by permission of His Royal Highness, the Duke of Bragança, Dom Duarte Pio.
First bestowed in 1993, it confers the following traditional ranks of Knighthood of the Knights and Dames of the Portuguese Royal House of Bragança namely: Grand Collar, Grand Cross, Commander with Star and Knight / Dame