The Royal Order of the Seraphim (Sweden)

The Royal Order of the Seraphim (Kungl. Serafimerorden) is Sweden’s highest order of chivalry. The order was founded by King Frederik I in 1748.

Sovereign of the Order: King Carl Gustav of Sweden

Given for

The honor is given for “Service to Sweden”.

Grades

2023-Present

There is currently only one grade:

Knight (RSerafO)

The collar of the order is not automatic, but can be given as a special honor.

Prior to 2023

Knight (Men) (RSerafO)
Member (Ladies) (LSerafO)
Member of the Cloth (Priests)

If a person has the Order of Seraphim and another Swedish order, they will use the post-nominal letters, RoKavKMO (men) or LoKavKMO (woman).

Given to

Members of the Sweden Royal Family
- Usually given at Birth or marriage into royal family¹
Foreign Heads of State
- Usually given during State Visits
Foreign Royals
- Usually just Heirs the Throne
Sweden Citizens

Change in rules

?-1973:
- Foreign Citizens
- Swedish Citizens
1973-1995
- Foreign Citizens
1995-Present
- Foreign Citizens
- Swedish Citizens

List of Royals who have received this honor

Insignia

The Insignia is returned to the Monarch after the holders death.

Sash

Shown here on King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia, along with other honors. The mens and women’s sashes are different widths.

Collar

Star

Baby Sash

Royal Children are given the Order of Seraphim at their Christening. The baby is given a mini-sash.

Coat of Arms

Each new knight has their coat of arms, surrounded with the collar or sash of the order, painted on a copper plate. A selection of these plates are exhibited in Seraphim room at the Royal Palace in Stockholm.

On the day of the funeral of knights of the order, their coat of arms is moved from Stockholm Royal Palace to the Riddarholm Church & hung on the wall.

King Carl Gustaf’s children received the order when they were 18 years old. When they were born, they were not eligible to receive the order, as it was restricted to foreigners at the time. ↩︎