The Princess. daughter of King Hussein of Jordan and wife of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, will receive the insignia from Laurent Fabius, France's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, at a special ceremony tomorrow in Caen, main host city of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014.

The National Order of the Legion of Honour, often referred to as the Legion of Honour, is awarded to individuals on behalf of the French head of state in recognition of their eminent public service.

The vast majority of recipients of the Legion of Honour are French nationals although foreign nationals, who have served France and the ideals it upholds, may also receive the distinction.

Princess Haya has been head of the FEI since 2006, following a successful show jumping career, including representing Jordan at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.

Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein shocked the equestrian world last month after announcing that she would not run for a third term ©FEI



Just last month, she shocked the equestrian world after announcing her decision not to stand for a third term as President of the FEI despite members voting overwhelmingly in April to change its statutes from the two, four-year term limit for Presidents, a concept introduced by Princess Haya herself when she was first elected in 2006.

She will officially step down from the role in December with a new President set to be elected at the FEI General Assembly in Azerbaijan's capital Baku on December 14.

By stepping down as President of the FEI she will also lose her membership of the International Olympic Committee. 

Created by Napoleon Bonaparte on May 19, 1802, the Legion of Honour is the first modern order awarded on personal merit alone.

Unlike the traditional military or chivalry orders, the Legion was from the outset open to men - and since 1851 to women - from all ranks and professions without distinction of birth, fortune, or social standing.

The Legion was a secular institution from the very beginning, whereas all previous long-established orders in France and more generally in Europe, were crosses or shared a clear Christian background.

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