The Order of Guadalupe (originally: "National Order of Our Lady of Guadalupe") was established by Emperor
Agustín I of Mexico in the autumn of 1821, although its statutes would not be published until February 1822. It was originally divided into two classes: Grand Cross and Numerary Member. After the death of the Agustin I, the Order fell out of use and remained inactive for 30 years until
Antonio López de Santa Anna convinced
Pope Pius IX to recognize it in 1854. It fell into disuse again in August of that same year after the successful
Ayutla Revolution and the ousting of Santa Anna from government. The third and last period of the Order began on June 30, 1863, before the arrival of
Maximilian I of Mexico, by decree of the Provisional Imperial Government.
Emperor Maximilian I modified the statutes of the Order for the last time on April 10, 1865, renaming the order "Imperial" (instead of "National") and divided it into four ranks, each with civilian and military divisions:
The Imperial Order of the Mexican Eagle was created by
Maximilian I on January 1, 1865. It consisted of two classes: the Superior Class only available to
Heads of State, awarded a Grand Cross with Collar; and the Ordinary Class, consisting of the following ranks:
Not to be confused with
Order of St. Charles, established in Monaco, March 15, 1858.
The Imperial Order of Saint Charles was created by Maximilian I on April 10, 1866. It was awarded exclusively to women who excelled in the service of their community. The Order honoured
Saint Charles Borromeo,
Patron Saint of
Empress Carlota, sovereign of the Order. It was divided into two classes: the Grand Cross, awarded to only 24 Ladies; and the Cross, without any limit upon the number of women who might receive it.
Grand Crosses
Some Ladies Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Charles include:[1]