ORANJESTAD - This year, 18 Aruban citizens received a Royal decoration.

As it was the case in previous years, starting May 6, 2024, on the occasion of the celebration of King's Day 2025, it is again possible to nominate persons to be considered for a Royal decoration, in popular terms, to be awarded with a "ribbon." 

All over Aruba, people dedicate themselves to the Aruban community. Very often they do this quietly and in the background, but these people should be put in the limelight. Someone can earn a ribbon if they have rendered special personal services to society. 

This can be volunteer work, but also a special fulfillment of a paid main job or a combination of both. 

These are: 

  • Volunteers who selflessly devote 15 years or more to organizations, groups, neighborhoods or individuals in areas such as sports, art, culture, religion, nature, the social field, youth work, elderly care, public order and safety, etc. 
  • Someone who achieves extraordinary performance at work may also qualify. In such a case, it concerns special and exceptional merit in the work that goes significantly beyond what is normally expected and from which society benefits. 

In case you know such a person, you can nominate this person to receive special recognition through a Royal decoration. Such a nomination can be submitted by anyone, including organizations or agencies. All proposals must be submitted in writing using two special forms. These forms with the accompanying instructions and explanations will be available from May 6, 2024 during office hours at the front desk of the Administrative Office (Government building) in Oranjestad and San Nicolas and at all MFAs. 

You can also download the forms here:

In Aruba, the Aruba Decoration Commission is in charge of processing the nominations and the associated research. Through official channels, the nominations go to the Netherlands where they are processed by the Netherlands Chapter of the Civil Orders. 

In order to properly assess the merits of the nominee, it is of great importance that all requested information be supplied as complete and comprehensive as possible. The forms must be completely filled out and signed and the nomination must be well substantiated. 

Decoration Committee Aruba emphasizes that the Royal decoration should be a surprise 
for the person involved. Therefore it is of utmost importance NOT to inform the nominated candidate of the nomination and not to involve him/her in filling out the forms. This also prevents disappointment in case the award is not granted. Of course, you cannot submit a nomination for yourself.

The deadline for submitting nominations for a Royal decoration for the year 2025 is Wednesday, July 31, 2024, 4 p.m. Incomplete nominations and nominations received after this date unfortunately cannot be considered. Both the Aruba Decoration Board and the Netherlands Chapter of Civil Orders will only consider complete nominations received in a timely manner.

Nominations should be handed in in a sealed envelope at the front desk of the Executive Office in Oranjestad. The envelope is addressed to the Aruba Decoration Commission, p/a Office of the Minister of General Affairs, L.G. Smith Boulevard 76, Oranjestad, Aruba. 

The Decoration Commission Aruba is very pleased to receive many nominations each year and hopes that also for the celebration of King's Day 2025, many individuals from the Aruban community will be recognized for the important work they do for the community and may receive a well-deserved ribbon. 

If you have any questions or wish to receive further information, please contact one of the members of the Aruba Decoration Committee:

  • Mr. V. Frank (tel. 587-4979)
  • Mrs. N. Anthony (mobile 593-1921)
  • Ms. I. Nicolaas-Ras (tel. 584-8880) 
  • Ms. R. Garrido (mobile 593-1820)
  • Mr. D. Figaroa (mobile 741-0100)  

You can also contact the committee at the e-mail address condeco.aruba@gmail.com. 
 

Condecoracion real 2025