HM The King of Spain confers the Order of the Golden Fleece upon the President of France

On Monday, 16th January 2012, at the Royal Palace in Madrid, King Juan Carlos of Spain bestowed the Most Illustrious Order of the Golden Fleece upon French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Founded by Philip III "The Good", Duke of Burgundy in January 1430, the Order of the Golden Fleece is Europe's greatest dynastic order. There is also an Austrian Order of the Golden Fleece (of which the head is HI&RH Archduke Karl von Habsburg).

French President Nicolas Sarkozy and HM The King of Spain flank the collar of
the Order of the Golden Fleece. HM The Queen of Spain is in the background.

The President of France wearing the miniature of
the Order of the Golden Fleece