

The Royal Orders of Knighthood
One of the duties of The King as the highest representative of the realm is to confer orders and medals. It is a way to commend individuals who, in different ways and in their different areas, have done good for society.
Investitures
On 31 May, an investiture ceremony was held, after the recipients’ names were announced on 21 March. The King presented the orders to the recipients and the Queen presented the letters patent.
Besides the Royal Orders of Knighthood, The King also confers wearable royal medals. After the names of medal recipients have been announced on 28 January, 6 June and 5 November, an investiture ceremony is held at the Royal Palace.
Rewarding Actions for the Good of Society
Orders and medals are a way for heads of state to reward outstanding actions for the good of society.
Orders and medals are a way for heads of state to reward outstanding actions for the good of society.
As the head of state is a country’s highest representative, the rewards are essentially an expression of the country’s gratitude and are therefore highly appreciated.
In Sweden, orders have been conferred continuously since 1748. Between 1975 and 2022, the Royal Order of the Seraphim was conferred upon heads of state and individuals of equivalent status. The Royal Order of the Polar Star was conferred upon foreign citizens and stateless individuals, and also members of the Swedish Royal House. The Royal Order of the Sword and the Royal Order of Vasa were dormant.
Between 2018 and 2023, work on the Honours Reform was in progress – a reform that marks an overhaul of the Swedish honours system. Following the reform, from 2023, honours within the Order of the Seraphim, the Order of the Sword, the Order of the Polar Star and the Order of Vasa are once again conferred upon individuals for outstanding contributions.
The King also confers five royal medals to Swedish citizens, with H.M. The King’s Medal being the most commonly conferred.
The King also confers royal jubilee commemorative medals. This was done, for example, in connection with the wedding of The Crown Princess and The King’s 70th birthday.
The Swedish government confers four medals upon Swedish citizens, with the Illis Quorum Meruere Labores Medal being the most commonly conferred. The Zeal and Devotion in the Service of the Realm Medal also counts as a government-conferred medal and is presented to public-sector employees.

Duties and Areas of Responsibility
The Royal Orders of Knighthood is the name of the organisation that manages the Royal Orders and comprises the Grand Master, the Chapter and the Chancery. On behalf of The King, the organisation is headed by the Chancellor, assisted by the Vice Chancellor (who is also the Secretary). The latter also heads operations at the Chancery, which processes all matters pertaining to orders and medals. Besides the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor, the Chancery also includes the Treasurer, the Superintendent, the Herald, the Clerk, the Archivist and the Historiograph. The Royal Coat of Arms Painter is commissioned with painting seraphim shields.