In 1802, legendary and controversial French leader Napoleon Bonaparte established the Legion of Honor, a decoration considered the highest national order in the country. However the prestige attached to the award is now being questioned after France “quietly” gave one to the crown prince of Saudi Arabia.
During a visit to France last week, crown prince Mohammed bin Naif was awarded the Legion of Honor by president Francois Hollande. Of course, this news sparked intense criticism, especially as France was one of the most vocal nations condemning Saudi Arabia’s mass execution of 47 people in January.
The crown prince visited the Elysee Palace on Friday, where he was awarded the merit. This was the same day that Hollande and German chancellor Angela Merkel met to discuss the refugee crisis.
The award was reportedly given to the prince for his work in combatting extremism, a fact which Saudi media outlets boasted. French media, on the other hand, reported that the whole ceremony had been done very discreetly, and that Hollande’s entourage only confirmed it on Sunday.
Twitter users expressed their shock at the award, with some expressing surprise that the news was not satirical.
I rub my eyes: France gives Legion d'H to Saudi crown prince... https://t.co/nTPFYHehzL
— Georgina Adam (@georginaadam) March 7, 2016
https://t.co/40g2p7Wa1P France paving the way for Abu-Bakr Al-Baghdadi to be the next recipient of the Legion of Honour @georgegalloway
— anselm proudhon (@anselmproudhon) March 7, 2016
Horrendous decision by France to honour Saudi prince!#shamehttps://t.co/Do7TIgSrVQ
— Andrew Graham (@truth_unmasked) March 7, 2016
@FHollandeint has turned the Legion d’Honneur into trash. May as well throw it into the garbage can now! https://t.co/OG6qL7edeE #honte
— Fred Smith (@Fred_Smith8888) March 7, 2016
Hollande:"Saudi Arabia has shown great commitment in fighting terror by bombing the shit out of civilians in Yemen." https://t.co/28fWaqK3Eg
— Satish (@TheFinalCountUp) March 7, 2016
