Order of Charlemagne

The Order of Charlemagne (Orde de Carlemany) is an order and civil decoration issued by the Principality of Andorra.

History
The Order of Charlemagne was created 7 December 2007 by the Minister of Culture Juli Minoves Triquell with the purpose to "reward the merits of those who have excelled in their field of work and who have made outstanding services to the Andorran State".

The name of the order was given to honour the figure of the founder of the Principality of Andorra, Emperor Charlemagne of the Franks, who granted sovereignty to the people of the "Valleys of Andorra" in gratitude for helping him fight the Saracens. Since then, Charlemagne has been a national symbol for the principality.

The Order remained dormant after the death of José Luis Sampedro in 2013, but was included in the Law 12/2022, of 12th May, of Protocol and Ceremonial as the second highest Order of the Principality of Andorra, just under the Cross of the Seven Arms.

The new regulation of the Order was approved by the Council of Ministers on 22nd May 2024.

Organisation
The President of the Council of the Order of Charlemagne of the order is the prime minister of the Principality of Andorra, currently Xavier Espot Zamora. The Secretary General of the Council of the Order of Charlemagne is the Minister of Foreign Affairs, currently Imma Tor Faus.

The Order of Charlemagne is currently divided in three classes, upon the reform accomplished during the 2022-2024 period:
 * Grand Cross
 * Commander
 * Cross

Formerly, the 2007 version of the Order of Charlemagne was divided into four classes:
 * Collar
 * Grand Cross
 * Commander
 * Medal

Recipients in selection

 * José Luis Sampedro (2008) - Medal.
 * Xavier Espot Zamora (2019) - Grand Cross.
 * Carles Enseñat Reig (2023) - Grand Cross.
 * Imma Tor Faus (2023) - Grand Cross.


 * Former recipients
 * Frank Gehry (2008) - Grand Cross - which he refused it later on.