Order of Besa

The Order of Besa (Urdhëri i Besës), also known as the Order of Fidelity, was established by Ahmet Zogu (later King Zog I) when he was President of Albania. Founded on 22 December 1926, it was initially awarded in four classes (1. Grand Cordon with star–Kordon i Madh me Yll, 2. Grand Officer–Oficer i Madh, 3. Commander–Komandar, and 4. Knight–Kalorës) and a medal. It was limited to six ordinary recipients of Albanian nationality, and was not awardable to foreigners.

It was remodelled in 1932 and reduced to three classes:
 * 1) Grand Cordon with star–Kordon i Madh me Yll
 * 2) Commander–Komandar
 * 3) Knight–Kalorës.

It remained limited to only six ordinary recipients of Albanian nationality, and not awardable to foreigners.

The order was retained under the Kingdom of Albania of King Vittorio Emanuele III until 1943, and by the House of Zogu as a dynastic order.

At its last remodelling, it had six classes:
 * Grand Cross, Special Class
 * Grand Cross
 * Grand Officer
 * Commander
 * Officer
 * Knight/Dame

Notable recipients

 * King Farouk of Egypt
 * Prince Abib of Turkey
 * Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi of Iran
 * Anwar Sadat, President of Egypt
 * Miklós Horthy, Regent of the Kingdom of Hungary