The 18 classes of the house order were no longer felt to be appropriate in the ever more egalitarian Dutch society of the 1960s.

As a house order it is not subject to ministerial responsibility or influence, but is awarded at the discretion of the Dutch monarch alone.

The Order of the Crown is intended for "foreigners who have rendered special service to the Dutch King or his House".

[2] The former queen, Beatrix, instituted a silver medal to commemorate state visits.

This allows the Dutch monarch to dispense the decorations according to rank especially during state visits.