The costume consists of a blue silk mantle interspersed with silver stars, of a blue silk coat with white and blue fringes, of a white and blue sash, black silk breeches, blue velvet hat @ la Henri IV. with white feathers for the Grand Cross Knights, with blue feathers for the pensioned Knights, and with a blue plume for the supernumerary Knights. The secular officials of the Order have the same costume as the first class Knights, but wear the decoration like the spiritual Knights round the neck.
It may not be uninteresting to know that amongst the Knights of the Grand Cross, created within the last forty-five years, is St. Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Order of Jesuits. It was customary in Spain during the wars with the Moors, to honour Saints with such decorations, and even nominate them Field-Marshals in some peculiar expeditions. The above worldly honour was conferred on St. Ignatius in 1847.
By a decree of the 26th July, 1847, the Order of Charles III. was divided into four classes: Knights of the Grand Cross, Commanders first and second class, and Knights. The Knights wear the decoration at the button-hole, and the Commanders round the neck. The Commanders, first class, wear besides a star upon the coat, the form of which differs with the Knights of the Grand Cross, who possess the title ' Excellency.' The latter wear on solemn occasions the chain of the Order.
Exclusive of foreign members, the number of Knights Grand Cross is not to exceed one hundred and twenty, and that of the Commanders, first class, three hundred, while that of the two last classes is unlimited.
THE ROYAL ORDER OF MARIA LOUISA.
Was founded on the 19th March, 1792, by King Carlos IV.
