What kind of award is the Order of the Legion of Honor of France?

Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was awarded France's highest honor, the Order of the Legion of Honor, during an official visit to France. In this material, we present information about this award.

Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited France on a state visit from March 11 to 13 at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. High-level negotiations and events took place, along with several meetings with official and business circles in France. A strategic partnership was established between Uzbekistan and France.

Another significant event of the occasion was the awarding of the Order of the Legion of Honor to the President of Uzbekistan.

So, what kind of award is this? When was it established and to whom is it awarded? We sought answers to such questions.

Order of the Legion of Honor

The Order of the Legion of Honor was established by French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. On May 19, 1802, the State Council adopted the law on the highest award.

Napoleon Bonaparte aimed to introduce a new award system in France to honor military and civilian services.

Later, in 1815, Napoleon was overthrown. His successor, Louis XVIII, preserved the Order of the Legion of Honor.

The Order of the Legion of Honor is awarded not only to French citizens but also to foreign nationals, and it is considered the highest award of the country.

Moreover, in France, the awarding of this order is regarded as a recognition of exceptional services at the state level and the highest mark of honor.

The Order of the Legion of Honor is awarded to French and foreign nationals for the following services:

· Individuals who have brought great benefit to France;

· Military personnel for heroism and outstanding military service;

· Individuals who have achieved significant accomplishments in the fields of science, art, literature, and economics, among others.

According to the rules, a French citizen who has served in the public service for many years without fault and has achieved serious successes may receive the Order of the Legion of Honor. However, this is only possible if the award is deemed appropriate and they pass through several stages.

However, military personnel who have shown exceptional heroism or hold high ranks, as well as other individuals who have achieved significant success, do not need to go through the initial stages, and the order will be awarded if the head of state deems it necessary.

Only the President of France is exempt from the requirements of the rules and automatically becomes a holder of the Order of the Legion of Honor.

The Order of the Legion of Honor has three levels: knight, officer, and commander. The highest level, commander, is primarily awarded to foreigners with a gold insignia.

Who has received it so far?

Since the establishment of the Order of the Legion of Honor, it has been awarded to more than 1 million individuals over a period of more than 200 years.

Among them are many foreign monarchs, heads of state, prominent politicians, scientists, and representatives from various fields, alongside French citizens. Additionally, this award has been granted to certain cities as well.

Notable individuals recognized with the Order of the Legion of Honor:

· Abdulmajid I (31st Sultan of the Ottoman Empire)

· Otto von Bismarck (First Chancellor of Germany)

· Winston Churchill (British Prime Minister)

· Charlie Chaplin (Hollywood actor and director)

· Konrad Adenauer (First Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany)

· Ilham Aliyev (President of Azerbaijan)

· Boris Yeltsin (President of Russia)

· Hosni Mubarak (President of Egypt)

· Vladimir Putin (President of Russia)

· Muhammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan (President of the UAE)

· Nursultan Nazarbayev (President of Kazakhstan)

· Jean-Paul Belmondo (French actor)

· Zinedine Zidane (French footballer)

· Thierry Henry (French footballer) and others.

British queens Victoria in 1843, Mary in 1927, Elizabeth in 1938, Elizabeth II in 1948, Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in 1990, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in 2021 have received the Order of the Legion of Honor.

Now, Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has also been added to the list of individuals who have received the Order of the Legion of Honor.