"The Order of Merit (French: Ordre du M\u00E9rite) is a dynastic order recognising distinguished service in the armed forces, science, art, literature, or for the promotion of culture. Established in 1902 by King Edward VII, admission into the order remains the personal gift of its Sovereign\u2014currently Edward VII's great-granddaughter Queen Elizabeth II\u2014and is restricted to a maximum of 24 living recipients from the Commonwealth realms plus a limited number of honorary members."@en . . .