Order of Merit Portuguese Royal House / Ordem de Mérito

Formerly called the "CRUZ DE MÉRITO DA CAUSA MONÁRQUICA", Unofficialy known as the "Ordem de Mérito", "Ordem de Mérito da Causa Monárquica", "Ordem do Mérito e Distinção" or "Ordem de Mérito da Casa Real".

The Cross of Merit of the Portuguese Royalist Cause / Ordem do Mérito da Causa Monárquica

The Cross of Merit of the Monarchist Cause as it was originally called, was instituted by decree of April 12th, 1993 of His Royal Highness, the Duke of Bragança, Dom Duarte Pio, for recognition of extraordinary services rendered to the Portuguese Monarchist Cause and for outstanding Merit in the Monarchist Cause between 1973 and 1993.

First bestowed in 1993, it conferred, the award in following grades:
- Cross
- Star
- Sash
- Collar

Also conferred were the following class of medals:
- Medal of dedication to the Monarchist Cause
- Youth Medal of dedication to the Monarchist Cause
- Youth Medal of Fidelity

All three of these Medals are now permanently suppressed.

By Decree of H.R.H. the Duke of Bragança
the Cross of Merit was reformulated to include the grades of:
- Gold Star
and a second Collar known as the Grand Collar (Reserved exclusively for use by the Grand Master and the Chancellery.

When Conferred as a compliment to the bestowal of Knighthood in the Portuguese Royal House, the recipient may be styled by one of the traditional ranks: of Knighthood:
- Collar
- Grand Cross
- Commander with Star
- Commander
- Knight / Dame

Now attached to this Award are:
- A Medal of Merit
- A Medal of Merit for the Youth

Admission is processed by the Chancellery and the Roster is to be maintained by the Secretariat.