His Majesty The King's Medal
H.M. The King’s Medal in gold of the twelfth size with the ribbon of the Order of the Seraphim, to the left below H.M. The King’s medal in silver of the eighth size, and to the right below H.M. The King’s medal in gold of the eighth size. Photo: Alexis Daflos/Kungl. Hovstaterna
H.M. The King’s Medal has been conferred since 1800. Since 1975 it has been conferred upon Swedish citizens in recognition of exceptional contributions, as well as functionaries of the Royal Court, Royal Military Staff and the Royal Orders of Knighthood for long and faithful service. The medal was called The Court Medal until 1975 and was, as such, chiefly conferred to recognise long and faithful service at the Royal Court.
H.M. The King’s Medal is conferred in different sizes: Twelfth (43mm in diameter), eighth (33mm in diameter) and fifth (24mm in diameter). The medal ribbon is royal blue unless otherwise designated.
The medal can be conferred in:
- gold of the twelfth size with brilliant-cut diamonds to be worn around the neck with a gold chain (image)
- gold of the twelfth size to be worn around the neck with a gold chain (gilded fine silver)
- gold (gilded fine silver) of the twelfth size to be worn around the neck with the ribbon of the Order of the Seraphim (image)
- old (gilded fine silver) of the twelfth size to be worn around the neck
- gold (gilded fine silver) of the eighth size to be worn on the chest with the ribbon of the Order of the Seraphim
- gold (gilded fine silver) of the eighth size to be worn on the chest
- gold (gilded fine silver) of the fifth size to be worn on the chest
- as above, with a laurel-leaf clasp on the ribbon, conferred for merits in Swedish sports
- silver of the eighth size to be worn on the chest
H.M. the King's Medal of the 12th size in gold with collar. Photo: Pelle T Nilsson/SPA
H.M. the King's Medal in gold of the 12th size, reverse with inscription of the recipient and year. Photo: Jonas Borg/Kungl. Hovstaterna
The First Medal in 1800
In 1800, King Gustav IV Adolf conferred a silver medal of the eighteenth size with a chain upon Olof Larsson of Bie, speaker for the peasantry at the Riksdag in 1800. The medal is depicted in portraits preserved at the Economic Museum - Royal Coin Cabinet
External link, opens in new window. and Floda church in in the county of Södermanland External link, opens in new window.. The medal is preserved in Uppsala University's coin cabinet External link, opens in new window..
Olof Larsson’s medal has been described in literature as being Illis Quorum, but this is incorrect. The back of the extant medal is completely different, the medal being a singular medal from the King with unique inscription and as such, the first known example of H.M. The King’s Medal conferred to be worn.
Laurel-leaf clasp in gold (gilded silver) on the ribbon for H.M. The King’s Medal in gold of the fifth size for sporting merits. Photo: Jonas Borg/Kungl. hovstaterna
H.M. the King’s Medal for merits in Swedish sports
In 2018, it was decided that the H.M. The King’s Medal in gold of the fifth size can be conferred with a clasp to athletes for commendable performance in their own sport, winning an Olympic gold medal or equivalent and in recognition of outstanding endeavours in furthering physical education. The clasp depicts a horizontal laurel leaf in gold (gilded silver) attached to the royal blue medal ribbon. The Swedish abbreviation for the medal is Kon:sGM5msp.