Before revision: A state order, or national order, is an order bestowed by a sovereign state as part of a national honours URL These orders, conferred for the merit of the recipient(s) , are typically categorised as either orders of chivalry or orders of merit.
After revision: A state order, or national order, is an order that is granted by its sovereign state as part of a national honours URL These orders, which are generally awarded to recipients for their accomplishments , are typically categorised as either orders of chivalry or orders of merit.