The Grand Cross in a special design is so special that it is practically never awarded. So far, this honor has only been bestowed on former Federal Chancellors Konrad Adenauer and Helmut Kohl. Their merits are also reflected in the length of their terms of office. In this respect, it is logical that Angela Merkel now also receives such a grand cross, in the end she had overtaken Adenauer and almost caught up with Kohl in the discipline “Days in the Chancellery”.
The Grand Cross in a special design is the eighth and highest level of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic. It differs from the Grand Cross without a special version in that it has a laurel wreath between the legs of the cross. In addition, the shoulder strap is lined in red on the back.
Federal President Steinmeier will give Merkel one of these rare specimens on April 17th. He also owns one himself, but it was not awarded to him; all Federal Presidents receive it as an insignia when they take office. The “Law on Titles, Orders and Decorations of Honour” states that the same may also be worn “in reduced form”. Merkel shouldn’t mind that she also gets the Grand Cross as a miniature.