The Most Exalted Order of the National Hero is an Antiguan and Barbudan

order of chivalry An order of chivalry, order of knighthood, chivalric order, or equestrian order is an order (distinction), order of knights, typically founded during or inspired by the original Catholic Military order (religious society), military orders of the ...

recognising pre-eminently distinguished service to Antigua and Barbuda or to humanity at large. The present Order was established and constituted by the

Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda The Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda consists of the King of Antigua and Barbuda, the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Parliament as a whole is charged with certain responsibilities and is given special powers and privileges in orde ...

under the National Honours Act 1998. which received

Royal Assent Royal assent is the method by which a monarch formally approves an act of the legislature, either directly or through an official acting on the monarch's behalf. In some jurisdictions, royal assent is equivalent to promulgation, while in other ...

from the Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda on 31 December 1998.

History

The Order of the National Hero was first established and constituted by the Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda under the National Heroes Act 1994. This Act was repealed and the Order was re-established and re-constituted under the National Honours Act 1998, which was amended in 2000, 2001 and 2015. Persons who were members of the Order before the 1998 Act came into force became Knights or Dames Companion of Order.

Composition

The Order is composed of the Sovereign, Chancellor and one single class of Knights Companion (KNH) or Dames Companion (DNH). The Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda is ''ex officio'' Chancellor of the Order. Membership is open to only citizens of Antigua and Barbuda and there may be no more than three living members at any one time.

Officers

The Order has four officers who compose the Chancery of the Order, as follows: * Chancellor * Secretary General * Antigua Herald * Barbuda Herald

Appointments

Appointments to the Order are made by the Chancellor on the advice of the

Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda The prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda is the head of government of the country. The current prime minister is Gaston Browne, since 13 June 2014.Jacqueline Charles"Browne becomes new prime minister of Antigua, youngest ever" ''The Miami He ...

and the Honours Committee established under the 1998 Act. The Honours Committee consists of a person appointed by the Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda, two Members of the

Senate of Antigua and Barbuda The Senate is the Upper House of Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda. It consists of 17 members appointed by the Governor General. Ten members are appointed on the advice of the Prime Minister, four on the advice of the Leader of the Oppositio ...

and four Members of the

House of Representatives of Antigua and Barbuda The House of Representatives of Antigua and Barbuda is the lower chamber of the country's bicameral Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda, parliament. The current House of Representatives has a total of 19 members. 17 members are directly elected ...

. The Governor General appoints the Chairperson of the Honours Committee from amongst its members. Posthumous appointments to the Order may be made, but a deceased recipient does not appear on the current list of members of the Order. New appointments are announced on the occasion of the Independence Day of Antigua and Barbuda (1 November). The Grand Master conducts investitures at

Government House Government House is the name of many of the official residences of governors-general, governors and lieutenant-governors in the Commonwealth and the remaining colonies of the British Empire. The name is also used in some other countries. Gover ...

in St John's.

Precedence and privileges

Titles

In Antigua and Barbuda, Knights Companion of the Order may use the title "

Sir ''Sir'' is a formal honorific address in English for men, derived from Sire in the High Middle Ages. Both are derived from the old French "Sieur" (Lord), brought to England by the French-speaking Normans, and which now exist in French only as ...

" in front of their forename, and their wives may use the title "

Lady The word ''lady'' is a term for a girl or woman, with various connotations. Once used to describe only women of a high social class or status, the equivalent of lord, now it may refer to any adult woman, as gentleman can be used for men. Inform ...

" in front of their husband's surname. Similarly, Dames Companion of the Order may use the title "

Dame ''Dame'' is an honorific title and the feminine form of address for the honour of damehood in many Christian chivalric orders, as well as the Orders, decorations, and medals of the United Kingdom, British honours system and those of several oth ...

" in front of their forename. No specific privilege exists for their husbands. Permission to use these titles outside Antigua and Barbuda is the prerogative of each relevant jurisdiction. For instance, British citizens, including dual citizens, who are Knights and Dames of non-British orders of chivalry may not as a matter of official policy use their titles in the United Kingdom.

Post-nominals and precedence

Members of the Order are entitled to place post-nominals after their names as indicated above. They are also assigned a place in the order of precedence of Antigua and Barbuda.

Heraldic privileges

Knights and Dames Companion may petition for heraldic supporters to be granted to their arms. They may also encircle their arms with a circlet bearing the motto of the Order and the pendent insignia of the Order may be shown below the arms.

List of Knights and Dames Companion

References

{{reflist Orders, decorations, and medals of Antigua and Barbuda Awards established in 1998 1998 establishments in Antigua and Barbuda *