Menu
Home
People
Places
Arts
History
Plants & Animals
Science
Life & Culture
Technology
Reference.org
Order of Merit
open-in-new
<p>The Order of Merit (French: <i>Ordre du Mérite</i>) is an <a href="/facts/Order_of_merit/gvwQc8l0">order of merit</a> for the <a href="/facts/Commonwealth_realm/JeuLfn9q">Commonwealth realms</a>, recognising distinguished service in the armed forces, science, art, literature, or the promotion of culture. Established in 1902 by <a href="/facts/Edward_VII/nxCuvHE7">Edward VII</a>, admission into the order remains the personal gift of its Sovereign—currently Edward VII's great-great-grandson <a href="/facts/Charles_III/w4hCfC9k">Charles III</a>—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 <a href="/facts/Post-nominal_letters/SGEfQQyD">post-nominal letters</a> <i>OM</i> and wear the badge of the order, the Order of Merit's <a href="/facts/Order_of_precedence/4rzsY61I">precedence</a> among other honours differs between countries. </p>