Order of the Aztec Eagle


The Order of the Aztec Eagle forms part of the Mexican Honours System and is the highest Mexican order awarded to foreigners in the country.

History

It was created by decree on December 29, 1933 by President Abelardo L. Rodríguez as a reward to the services given to Mexico or humankind by foreigners. It corresponds to similar distinctions given to Mexican citizens such as the Condecoración Miguel Hidalgo or the Belisario Domínguez Medal of Honor. It is given by the office of the foreign minister on the instructions of a Council established for this purpose headed by the President.

Design

There is some design similarity of the order with the coat of arms of Mexico, particularly the golden eagle holding a rattlesnake, which is associated with the Aztec civilization.

Classes

Since 2011

Since the reform of March 2011, the classes are :
  1. Collar, awarded to heads of state;
  2. Sash of Special Category, awarded to prime ministers and heads of government, hereditary princes, consorts of heads of state, or to people whose category is tantamount to the previous;
  3. Sash, awarded to government ministers, secretaries, members of royal families, ambassadors, or individuals whose category is tantamount to the previous;
  4. Plaque, awarded to government undersecretaries, plenipotentiary ministers, consuls general, brigadier generals, rear admirals, as well to those whose category is tantamount to the previous;
  5. Venera, awarded to ad hoc business representatives, colonels and lieutenant colonels, captains of a ship, equivalent servants of embassies in Mexico, as well to those whose category is tantamount to the previous;
  6. Insignia, awarded to ad interim business representatives and other members of diplomatic missions; captain, navy lieutenant, as well to those whose category is tantamount to the previous and to those cases the Council considers pertinent.
All grades except the collar may be awarded, under the Council's discretion, to distinguished foreigners.

Before 2011

Prior to the 2011 reform, the classes were, in descending order:
  1. Collar, awarded to heads of state;
  2. Grand Cross, awarded to prime ministers and heads of government
  3. Sash, awarded to government ministers, secretaries and ambassadors
  4. Medal, awarded to government undersecretaries, plenipotentiary ministers, as well to those whose category is tantamount to the previous;
  5. Placard, as well to those whose category is tantamount to the previous;
  6. Venera, awarded to ad interim business representatives and other members of diplomatic missions;
  7. Insignia proper, awarded under the Council's discretion; and
  8. Honorable Mention.

    Notable recipients

Royalty

NameClassNationalityYear AppointedReference
Emperor Haile Selassie I of EthiopiaCollar Ethiopian Empire1954
Emperor Hirohito of JapanCollar1962
Prince Philip, Duke of EdinburghCollar1964
Queen Elizabeth II of the United KingdomCollar1973
Prince Richard, Duke of GloucesterSash; Sash of Special Category1974; 2015
Princess Marina, Duchess of KentGrand Cross
Emperor Mohammed Reza of IranCollar Imperial State of Iran1975
King Olav V of NorwayGrand Cross
King Juan Carlos I of SpainCollar
Queen Sofía of SpainGrand Cross
Emperor Akihito of JapanCollar
King Albert II of BelgiumCollar
King Carl Gustaf XVI of SwedenCollar2004
King Mohammed VI of MoroccoCollar2005
Queen Margrethe II of DenmarkCollar2008
Henrik, Prince Consort of DenmarkGrand Cross ; Special Class 2008; 2016
Queen Beatrix of the NetherlandsCollar2009
King Willem-Alexander of the NetherlandsSash2009
Queen Máxima of the NetherlandsSash2009
Felipe VI of SpainSash ; Collar 1996; 2015
Queen Letizia of SpainSash ; Sash Special Class 2008; 2015
Charles, Prince of WalesSash of Special Class2015
Camilla, Duchess of CornwallSash2015
Prince Andrew, Duke of YorkSash2015
Sophie, Countess of WessexSash2015
Birgitte, Duchess of GloucesterSash2015
Crown Prince FrederikSash of Special Class2016
Crown Princess MarySash2016
Prince Joachim of DenmarkSash2016
Princess Marie of DenmarkSash2016
Princess Benedikte of DenmarkSash2016
Emir Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-SabahCollar2016
King Salman of Saudi ArabiaCollar2016

Presidents

Additional sources