Opportunity to submit nominations for Royal Awards 2026.

ORANJESTAD—This year, 19 Aruban citizens received a royal award.

As in previous years, it is again possible to nominate people to qualify for a Royal award, popularly known as a "ribbon," starting on June 2, 2025, on the occasion of the celebration of King's Day 2026.

People all over Aruba are committed to the Aruban community. They do it often quietly and in the background, but these people should be put in the spotlight. A person can earn a ribbon if it concerns extraordinary personal merit for society. It can be volunteer work, a particular interpretation of a paid principal function, or a combination of both.

This concerns

  • Volunteers who have selflessly committed themselves for 15 years or more to organizations, groups, neighborhoods, or individuals in, for example, sports, art, culture, religion, nature, the social field, youth work, elderly care, public order and safety, etc.
  • Someone who delivers extraordinary performances at work can also be considered. In such a case, it concerns an exceptional merit in the work that goes considerably further than what may ordinarily be expected and from which society benefits.

If you know such a person, you can nominate this person to receive special recognition using a royal distinction. Anyone can submit a nomination, including organizations or institutions. All proposals must be submitted in writing using two forms. These forms with the accompanying instructions and explanations are available starting June 2, 2025, during office hours at the counter of the Administrative Office in Oranjestad and San Nicolas and at all MFAs.

You can also download the forms here:

The Aruba Decoration Committee is responsible for processing the nominations and the associated research in Aruba. The nominations go to the Netherlands via official channels, where the Dutch Chapter for Civil Orders will process them.
To properly assess the merits of the nominated person, it is essential to provide all requested information as complete as possible. You must complete and sign the forms, and the nomination must be well-substantiated.

The Aruba Decoration Committee emphasizes that the Royal Decoration should surprise the person concerned. It is of the utmost importance not to inform the nominee of the nomination and not to involve him in filling out the forms. It also prevents disappointment if they do not receive the award. You cannot, of course, submit a nomination for yourself.

The deadline for submitting nominations for a Royal Decoration for 2026 is Thursday, July 31, 2025, at 4:00 PM. They will not process incomplete nominations and nominations received after the above date and time. The Aruba Decoration Committee and the Dutch Chapter for Civil Order will only process complete and timely nominations.

You must submit the nominations in a sealed envelope to the Administrative Office counter in Oranjestad. Address the envelope to the Aruba Decoration Committee, c/o Office of the Minister of General Affairs, L.G. Smith Boulevard 76, Oranjestad, Aruba.

The Aruba Decoration Committee is very pleased with the many nominations received each year and hopes that in 2026, many people from the Aruban community will receive this recognition for the important work they do for the community and that they will be able to wear the well-deserved ribbon during the celebration of King's Day 2026.

Do you have any questions, or would you like more information? Call one of the members of the Aruba Decoration Committee:

  • Mr. Frank Croes (Tel: 565-3147)
  • Mrs. Annelien Tromp-Diaz (Tel: 594-1640)
  • Mr. Omar Harms (Tel: 561 1310)
  • Mrs. Dynia Abath-Muller (Tel: 735 0331)
  • Mrs. I. Nicolaas-Ras (Tel: 584-8880)
  • Mrs. R. Garrido (Tel: 593-1820)
  • Mrs. Mirella Wijngaarden (Tel: 564-5778)

You can also contact the committee via email: condeco.aruba@gmail.com

Decoratiecommissie Aruba