The
Order of Merit 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—currently Edward VII's great-granddaughter, Queen
Elizabeth II—and is restricted to a maximum of 24 living recipients from the
Commonwealth realms plus a limited number of honorary members. While all members are awarded the right to use the
post-nominal letters OM and a medallion for life, the Order of Merit's precedence among other honours differs between realms.