The Order of the Elephant is the oldest and most distinguished Danish Royal Order of Chivalry and has roots going back to the 1400s. The order is primarily bestowed upon royalty and heads of state. Since 1693, when the Order of the Elephant received its provisions (statutes), the order’s so-called insignia have consisted of the tower-bearing elephant made of gold covered with white enamel and ornamented with diamonds, the order collar with links shaped as towers and elephants, a light blue sash and a breast star. Generally, the Order of the Elephant is worn on the sash, but on certain occasions, including the New Year’s banquet on 1 January, the Order of the Elephant is worn on the characteristic collar.

Each Order of the Elephant is – in principle – only on loan and must therefore be returned to The Chapter of the Royal Orders of Chivalry when a Knight of the Order of the Elephant has passed away. This means that the vast majority of the elephants have been in use several times.

It is not customary to disclose to whom an Order of the Elephant has previously been given. However, in the Danish royal family there is a tradition that certain Order of the Elephant insignia are “inherited”. Thus, the elephant bestowed upon Prince Christian today was most recently worn by Prince Christian’s grandfather, Prince Henrik. The elephant has undergone a necessary minor restoration, in which, among other things, The Queen’s monogram has been affixed, as an elephant always bears the monogram of the sitting monarch when bestowed.

As a Knight of the Order of the Elephant, Prince Christian will have his personal coat of arms painted, which, after completion, will be hung in The Knights’ Chapel for the Orders of the Elephant and Dannebrog at Frederiksborg Castle in Hillerød.”