The National Order of the Leopard () was the highest honorific decoration of the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 1966 until 2002 when it was discontinued and replaced by the Order of the National Heroes Kabila-Lumumba. It was instituted on 24 May 1966 in the Ordinance-law Number 66-330 by President Joseph-Désiré Mobutu. It rewarded the high military or civil merits rendered in the Congo. The President of the Congo was the Grand Chancellor of the Order. Its administration was in the care of the Chancellor. Ranks The National Order of the Leopard was composed of five grades : Grand Cordon Grand Officer Commander Officer Knight Notable recipients Grand Cordons Emperor Akihito Maria Barroso Jean-Bédel Bokassa Mohammad Reza Pahlavi Elizabeth II (1973) Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (1973) Juan Carlos I of Spain Isaac Kalonji Jules Fontaine Sambwa Haile Selassie Queen Sofía of Spain Kim Il-sung (1992) Kim Jong-il (1992) Grand Officers Georges Forrest Commanders Fernand Kazadi Lupelekese Hugh Wontner Yosia Bulo Butso Officers Peter Piot Robin Gillett Knights Unknown Classes Médard Autsai Asenga Jean Bolikango Robin Gillett Jean-Pierre Hallet Hosni Mubarak Ndaye Mulamba References Leopard, National Order of the Leopard, National Order of the Awards established in 1966 Awards disestablished in 2002