Grand Cross

[1] Exceptionally, the highest class may be referred to as Grand Cordon or equivalent.

[2] In international relations, many times the class of Grand Cross is typically reserved for royalty, heads of state and equivalent.

In the United Kingdom, the rank of "Knight Grand Cross" or "Dame Grand Cross" allows the recipient to continue to use the honorific "Sir" (male) or "Dame" (female) as a style before his or her name.

The knighthood is initially conferred, as in other countries, at the lower rank of the order, typically "Knight Commander".

In Bavaria, the royal military order established by Maximilian Joseph consisted of three classes with the Grand Crosses ranking above the Commanders and Knights.