Order of Louise

Imperial and Royal Order of Louise Kaiserlich und Königlich Orden von Luise
1st Class of the Order
Awarded by Head of the House of Prussia
Type	State Order (formerly) House Order (currently)
Royal house	House of Prussia
Ribbon	White with a Black stripe in the middle and either side
Status	Rarely Constituted
Sovereign	Georg Friedrich, Prince of Prussia
Grand Mistress	Princess Sophie
Grades	Dame, Special Class Dame, 1st Class Dame, 2nd Class
Statistics
Established	3 August 1814
Precedence
Next (higher)	Imperial and Royal Order of Merit
Next (lower)	Imperial and Royal Order of Wilhelm
The Ribbon of the Order

The Order of Louise (German: Luisen-Orden) was founded on 3 August 1814 by Frederick William III of Prussia to honor his late wife, the much beloved Queen Luise (née Luise Auguste Wilhelmine Amalie, Herzogin zu Mecklenburg-Strelitz). This order was chivalric in nature, but was intended strictly for women whose service to Germany was worthy of such high national recognition. Its dame companion members were limited to 100 in number, and were intended to be drawn from all classes.

Though the Prussian king was technically the "Sovereign of the Orders" of the realm, the Chief of the Order of Louise was the reigning queen. Daughters in the royal family were invested with this order in lieu of the Order of the Black Eagle, Order of the Red Eagle Grand Cross, Prussian Crown Order First Class, and Royal House Order of Hohenzollern that were reserved for the sons.

The Order of Louise was renewed with each successive king or emperor. It was, thus, issued from its founding in 1814 (during the reign of Friedrich Wilhelm III), renewed in 1850 (during the reign of Friedrich Wilhelm IV), in 1865 (during the reign of Wilhelm I), and in 1890 (during the reign of Wilhelm II).

The text of the original royal proclamation that created the Order roughly translates as follows:

When the men of our brave armies bled for the homeland, you found relief in the maintaining care of the women. Faith and hope gave the mothers and daughters of the country the power… for the grand purpose (of the nation). It is impossible to honor or (decorate them enough) for what they have accomplished; but We find it justified to lend them an honor, whose (contributions) are especially acknowledged. We decree therefore hereby following:

1. The honor shall bear the meaningful name:

L u i s e n - O r d e n

Establish that we with this, a small, black-enameled golden cross. The (center medallion) on both sides will be of sky blue enamel; with the letter “L” (on the obverse), surrounded by a wreath of (seven) stars; and on the (reverse) the year “1813/1814”.