The Supreme Order of Christ is the highest order of chivalry that can be awarded by the pope. No appointments have been made since 1987 and following the death in 1993 of the last remaining knight, King Baudouin of Belgium, the order became dormant.
Star and badge of the Order of Christ
Baudouin was King of the Belgians from 17 July 1951 until his death in 1993. He was the last Belgian king to be sovereign of the Congo, before it became independent in 1960 and became the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
King Baudouin in 1960
Baudouin (left) and his brother Albert, c. 1940
Baudouin and his wife, Fabiola de Mora y Aragón, during a 1964 visit to Israel
King Baudouin's statue in the city of Aalst