Order of Merit
| Order of Merit | |
|---|---|
Badge and ribbon bow of the order (for wear by female recipients) | |
| Awarded by Charles III | |
| Type | Order of merit |
| Established | 26 June 1902 |
| Motto | For Merit |
| Eligibility | All living citizens of the Commonwealth realms |
| Criteria | At the monarch's pleasure |
| Founder | Edward VII |
| Sovereign | Charles III |
| Secretary and Registrar | Robin Janvrin, Baron Janvrin |
| Grades | Member (OM) |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Dependent on state |
| Next (lower) | Dependent on state |
Ribbon bar of the order | |
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The Order of Merit (French: Ordre du Mérite) is an order of merit for the Commonwealth realms, recognising distinguished service in the armed forces, science, art, literature, or the promotion of culture. Established in 1902 by Edward VII, admission into the order remains the personal gift of its Sovereign—currently Edward VII's great-great-grandson Charles III—and is restricted to a maximum of 24 living recipients from the Commonwealth realms, plus honorary members. While all members are awarded the right to use the post-nominal letters OM and wear the badge of the order, the Order of Merit's precedence among other honours differs between countries.