Order of the Edelweiss

The Order of the Edelweiss is a dynastic order of knighthood founded in Persenburg by Emperor-King Oscar of Karnia-Ruthenia in 2016, to celebrate the establishment of the Karno-Ruthenian Monarchy after the signature of the Karno-Ruthenian Compromise of 2016 in 10 May 2016 and was created to become one of the most prestigious micronational orders. The current sovereign of the order is also its founder, the Emperor-King of Karnia-Ruthenia. It is a house order of the House of Götzö-Thomaz-Rocha, the Imperial and Royal House of Karnia-Ruthenia. Current knights of the order include Grand Duke of Flandrensis, the King of Quinta Velha, former Emperor of the North American Confederation, and the King of Ebenthal, amongst 16 others.

History
The first known report about the order dates back to 26 May 2016, when it was mentioned in the heraldic description of the new coat of arms of the Karno-Ruthenian Empire. Despite not having been officially established on that date, it goes back to a previous idea. The greatest proof of this is that it consists of official form already inserted in the work of the new armorial; ie its design is older, although having an unspecified date. The probable date of creation of the order, however, is limited by the time gap between the signing of the Karno-Ruthenian Compromise of 2016 on 10 May 2016 and the decree establishing the new national symbols of the Empire, issued on 26 May 2016. The Order of inspiration is certainly the Order of the Golden Fleece, the order of chivalry founded by Philip III, Duke of Burgundy in 1430 and awarded by the King of Spain and the de jure Emperor-King of Austria-Hungary, once being strong the presence of Austro-Hungarian influence in all Karno-Ruthenian institutions. Despite this, the choice for the name actually comes from the Archduke Anton of Karnia. It was he who set the national symbols of Karnia, ended up for choosing the Edelweiss as national flower. Absent a Ruthenian equivalent, the flower eventually became a national symbol and is included in even the insignia of the Armed Forces. On 11 April 2021, the collar was redesign, as part of the readjustment of the Empire's armorial and was the first of other changes in national decorations.

Order
Membership in the Order is strictly limited and includes the Monarch, the Crown Prince, the children of the monarch and various supernumerary members, nationals and foreigners. The Order is solely for royalty and nobility, never being conferred to a commoner to the date. The questions about female inheritance was discussed, but there are no impediments in its constitution, and may eventually have a female Sovereign of the Order. The monarch alone can grant membership and he or she is known as the Sovereign of the Order and the Crown Prince is known as a Knight Companion of the Order. Male members of the Order are titled "Knights", and female members are called "Ladies".

2016 - current

 * 1) Karniarutheniaflag.png His Imperial and Royal Majesty, Emperor-King Oscar of Karnia-Ruthenia

2016

 * 1) His Imperial and Royal Majesty, Emperor William of North America
 * 2) His Royal Highness, Grand Duke Nicholas of Flandrensis
 * 3) His Imperial and Royal Highness, Archduke Ari of Karnia
 * 4) His Royal Highness, Duke Guilherme da Lomellina e Berenguer of Libertia
 * 5) His Highness, Grand Duke Christian of Letzembourg
 * 6) His Royal Highness, Duke Michael  of Appinfeldt

2017

 * 1) His Majesty, Emir Filipe of Takia
 * 2) His Royal Majesty, King August Charles II of Gotzborg

2018

 * 1) His August Highness, Prince Lucas of Woestein, Stadhouder of Mauricia
 * 2) His Serene Highness, Wilhelm, Prince von und zu Hochbach-Kundarheim

2019

 * 1) Mr. Tian Abdurahman, posthumously.

2020

 * 1) His Majesty, Thomas, King of Quinta Velha and Duke of Saena.
 * 2) His Majesty, Guilherme I Ítalo, King of Taslavia and Archduke of Karnia.

2021

 * 1) His Majesty, Arthur II, King of Ebenthal.
 * 2) His Majesty, Guilherme I Ítalo, King of Taslavia.
 * 3) His Grace, Lucas Marco d'Aviano Tomé, Duke of Albuquerque.