The Order of the Nile (Kiladat El Nil) was established in 1915 and was one of the Kingdom of Egypt's principal orders until the monarchy was abolished in 1953.

It was then reconstituted as the Republic of Egypt's highest state honor.

The Order was established in 1915 by Sultan Hussein Kamel of Egypt for award to persons who had rendered useful service to the country.

[2] It ranked beneath the Order of Ismail and was frequently awarded to British officers and officials serving in Egypt, as well as distinguished Egyptian citizens.The order comprised five classes:[2] After Egypt became a republic in 1953 the Order of the Nile was reconstituted to serve as Egypt's highest state honor.

[3] It now consists of: Although the five class structure of the original 1915 order was mentioned when the order was restructured in 1953,[6] the four more junior grades (i.e. Grand Officer, Commander, Officer and Knight) are no longer awarded.