Royal Order of the Seraphim awarded to Prince Napoléon Jérome

Gold, enamel.
Size 54.3 mm.

"IHS" Christogram between three gold crowns, beneath which are represented the three nails with which Jesus Christ was crucified.
The reverse central medallion is also in blue enamel, with the white-enamelled letters "FRS" (Fredericus, Rex Sueciae, Frederick King of Sweden), the founder of the Order.

Sash.

 

Breast star.

Silver, gold, enamel.
Size 79 mm.

 

Prince Napoléon Joseph Charles Paul Bonaparte /9 September 1822 – 17 March 1891/, usually called Napoléon-Jérôme Bonaparte or Jérôme Bonaparte, was the second son of Jérôme, King of Westphalia, youngest brother of Napoleon I, and his second wife Catharina of Württemberg. Following the death of his nephew Louis-Napoléon, Prince Imperial in 1879, he claimed headship of the House of Bonaparte until his death in 1891. An outspoken liberal however, he was passed over as heir in his cousin's final will, instead choosing his elder son Victor, who was favored by most Bonapartists. From the 1880s he was one of the stronger supporters of General Georges Boulanger, together with other monarchist forces.​

As well as bearing the title of Prince Napoléon, given to him by his cousin Emperor Napoleon III in 1852, he was also 2nd Prince of Montfort, 1st Count of Meudon and Count of Moncalieri, following his marriage with Maria Clotilde of Savoy in 1859. His popular nickname, Plon-Plon, stemmed from his difficulty in pronouncing his own name while still a child, although other notable historians and contemporary letters by his nephew Colonel Jérôme Bonaparte claim it was because he ran in cowardice during battle when the bombs fell. Another nickname, "Craint-Plomb" ("Afraid-of-Lead",) was given to him by the army due to his absence from the Battle of Solferino.​