The Order of the Seraphim
Knight of the Order of the Seraphim. Photo: Jonas Borg/Kungl. Hovstaterna
The Royal Order of the Seraphim is conferred upon members of the Swedish Royal House and, by recommendation of the government, chiefly upon heads of state or individuals of equivalent status in connection with state visits.
The order insignia are the cross of the order worn pendant from a collar or a pale blue ribbon, and the star, which is worn on the left side of the chest.
The decoration consists of a white-enamelled golden cross, in the centre of which is a dark blue medallion bearing the monogram ‘IHS’ – Iesus Hominum Salvator (Jesus, Saviour of Mankind). Emerging above the H is a Latin cross, surrounded by three open crowns and with three nails underneath, crowned with a closed crown. Between the arms of the cross are golden seraphim heads.
The Royal Family, December 2018. Photo: Stella Pictures
The collar consists of eleven seraphim heads (winged angel heads) in gold, alternating between eleven blue, gold-mounted patriarchal crosses joined together with gold links. The collar can be conferred upon Knights of the Order of the Seraphim as a special mark of honour, and is not automatically included upon conferral. For example, it can be conferred upon a head of state during a second state visit if the Order of the Seraphim has previously been conferred in ribbon-mounted form.
The star is an eight-pointed silver cross, in the middle of which is a dark blue medallion bearing the monogram ‘IHS’. Between the arms of the cross are golden seraphim heads (in 2005 the colour of the medallion was changed from pale blue to dark blue, and the seraphim heads were changed from silver to golden).
The order has only one class, known as Knight since 2023. Women and priests on which the order was conferred before 2023 are known as Member and Member of the Cloth, respectively.
The order also includes the Seraphim Medal.
The Seraphim Coat of Arms of H.M. the King, executed by the Coat of Arms Painter David Friefeldt. Photo: Alexis Daflos/Kungl. Hovstaterna.
The Seraphim Coat of Arms of H.M. the Queen, executed by the Coat of Arms Painter Bengt-Olof Kälde. Photo: Alexis Daflos/Kungl. Hovstaterna.
The Coat of Arms of H.R.H. the Crown Princess, executed by Bengt-Olof Kälde. Photo: Alexis Daflos/Kungl. Hovstaterna.
When the order is conferred upon a Knight or a Member, proposals for a heraldic coat of arms are submitted to the Chapter of the Orders to be painted. In Sweden, these coats of arms are painted during the bearer’s lifetime but are only hung in Riddarholmen Church posthumously. This practice differs from that of the United Kingdom and Denmark, where the coat of arms is hung immediately in a dedicated chapel.
A selection of coats of arms belonging to living Knights and Members is displayed in the Hall of the Order of the Seraphim to mark this lasting tradition. On the day of the funeral of a Knight or a Member of the Order of the Seraphim, a special ceremony is held.
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Return of Orders
All orders shall be returned to the Royal Orders of Knighthood upon the death of the recipient. The order decoration, name and date of birth of the recipient shall be sent by registered post to Kungl. Maj:ts Orden.
The details of the person to whom acknowledgement of receipt of a returned order is to be sent must also be included. If desired, the Royal Orders of Knighthood can also send a picture, free of charge, of the returned order decoration along with the acknowledgement of receipt.