Editing Monarchy of Sweden (section)

=== Royal orders of chivalry ===
[[File:Sv Ordenstkn 3.jpg|thumb|upright|The Royal Orders of Sweden constituting the Royal Order of Knights]]
The Royal orders have a historical basis, dating back to the 1606 founding of the now extinct [[Jehova Order]]. The Royal Orders of Knights of Sweden were only truly codified in the 18th century, with their formal foundation in 1748 by King [[Frederick I of Sweden|Frederick I]]. In 1974 the Riksdag significantly changed the conditions and criteria under which orders and decorations could be awarded: that no Swedish citizen outside the Royal Family is eligible to receive such decorations. The [[Order of the Seraphim]] ({{langx|sv|Serafimerorden}}) is only awarded to foreign [[head of state|heads of state]] and members of the Swedish and foreign royal families, while the [[Order of the Polar Star]] ({{langx|sv|Nordstjärneorden}}) was only to be bestowed on any non-Swedish citizen.<ref>[http://www.royalcourt.se/royalcourt/monarchy/orders.4.396160511584257f2180005150.html Orders] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516115947/http://www.royalcourt.se/royalcourt/monarchy/orders.4.396160511584257f2180005150.html |date=16 May 2011 }}, [http://www.royalcourt.se/royalcourt.4.367010ad11497db6cba800054503.html Swedish Royal Court] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100722063753/http://www.royalcourt.se/royalcourt.4.367010ad11497db6cba800054503.html |date=22 July 2010 }}, date accessed 2014-10-22.</ref> Following the reforms, the [[Order of the Sword]] ({{langx|sv|Svärdsorden}}) and the [[Order of Vasa]] ({{langx|sv|Vasaorden}}) were no longer conferred: officially they were declared as "dormant". In 2022 the government proposed a new reform taking effect in 2023 that once again opened the Royal Orders so that they now may be awarded to Swedish citizens again. The Order of the Seraphim however was not affected by these changes.

Between 1975 and 2023, [[H. M. The King's Medal]] ({{langx|sv|H.M. Konungens medalj}}) was the highest honour that could be awarded to Swedish citizens other than members of the [[Swedish Royal Family|Royal Family]].