Created by a short decree of 16 April 1826, the order initially consisted of one grade and was only awarded to reigning monarchs.

Despite what some sources cite, the creator of the project was not Jean-Baptiste Debret, so he himself does not know how to accurately describe the insignia in his Voyage pittoresque.

Many authors point out the similarities of this with the insignia of the French Order of the Iron Crown Grand cross Tape and band Officially, Luís Alves de Lima e Silva, Duke of Caxias was the only Brazilian awarded the commendation.

There are discussions as to whether Felisberto Caldeira Brant, the Marquis of Barbacena, would have been honored as a knight or great cross.

It is supposed, however, that it is a confusion, for the Marquis of Barbacena was in fact the bearer of the Grand Cross granted to Francis I of Austria, the latter being the first to be awarded.