Order of the African Star
| Order of the African Star Ordre de l'Étoile africaine |
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|---|---|
Awarded by .svg){kind=small} Kingdom of Belgium |
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| Type | Order of Merit with five classes and three medals |
| Motto |
TRAVAIL ET PROGRES - ARBEID EN VOORUITGANG |
| Awarded for | Promotion of African civilisation |
| Status | Dormant (Members still living, but no longer conferred since 1962) |
| Sovereign | His Majesty King Philippe |
| Grades | Grand Cross Grand Officer Commander Officer Knight |
| Statistics | |
| Established | 1888 - 1908 (Order of Congo Free State) 1908 - 1962 (as Belgian Order) |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Order of Leopold |
| Next (lower) | Royal Order of the Lion |
The Order of the African Star (Dutch: Orde van de Afrikaanse Ster, French: Ordre de l'Étoile africaine) was established by King Leopold II of the Belgians on 30 December 1888, in his capacity as ruler of the Congo Free State, and was awarded for services to Congo and for the "promotion of African civilisation in general". It was incorporated into the Belgian honours system on 10 October 1908 following the annexation of the Congo Free State by Belgium. The motto of the Order is "Travail et progrès" (French: Labour and progress). The King of the Belgians is its Grand Master. Even though Congo is no longer a Belgian colony, it is still considered to be a Belgian Order.
The Order of the African Star is awarded by Royal Decree. Following the independence of Congo in 1960, the Order of the African Star is no longer awarded (although it still exists).
The Order of the African Star is administered by the FPS Foreign Affairs and has five classes and three medals:
The Badge of the order is a white enamelled five-pointed star with blue borders, surrounded by a crown of green enamelled palm leaves. The central disk shows a gold star on blue enamelled background surrounded by a gold ring displaying the motto of the order: Travail et Progrès (work and progress). The reverse is similar to the obverse but with a central disc of red enamel with a stylised 'double L' crowned Leopold II monogram superimposed. The whole badge is topped by a royal crown linked to the ribbon.
The Plaque is a 10-pointed star, with (for Grand Cross) alternating faceted golden points and rayed silver points, or (for Grand Officer) made of plain silver with alternating faceted points and rayed points. The central disc shows the obverse of the badge, including the surrounding green enamelled palm leaves, and in the top the 'double L' Leopold II monogram. The whole plaque is topped by a royal crown.
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