ɪn θˈiəɹi, ðɪ ˈɔːɹdɚɹ ʌv tʃˈɑːɹlz ɹˌoʊmən θɹˈiː ɪz ðə hˈaɪɪst sˈɪvəl ˈɑːnɚ ɡɹˈæntᵻd baɪ ðə kˈɪŋdəm ʌv spˈeɪn ðɪ ˈɔːɹdɚɹ ʌvðə ɡˈoʊldən flˈiːs ɪz ɐ daɪnˈæstɪk ˈɔːɹdɚ, nˌɑːt ˌʌndɚ ðə kəntɹˈoʊl ʌvðə stˈeɪt, haʊˈɛvɚ, ɪts stˈætʃuːts ɹɪzˈɜːv ðɛɹ mˈɛmbɚʃˌɪp pɹaɪmˈɛɹᵻli tə pəlˈɪɾɪkəl ɐpˈɔɪntiːz, hˈɛdz ʌv stˈeɪt ænd hˈaɪɹˈæŋkɪŋ ɡˈʌvɚnmənt əfˈɪʃəlz.
In theory, the Order of Charles III is the highest civil honor granted by the Kingdom of Spain (the Order of the Golden Fleece is a dynastic order, not under the control of the State), however, its statutes reserve their membership primarily to political appointees, heads of State and high-ranking government officials.