Editing Order of the Falcon (section)

==History and appointments==
[[Christian X of Denmark|Christian X]], the King of Denmark, ruled Iceland until 17 June 1944. During his royal visit to Iceland in 1921, King Christian X issued the royal decree founding the Icelandic Order of the Falcon.<ref name=president/> When Iceland became a republic, new statutes were incorporated for the Order on 11 July 1944. The Republic of Iceland replaced the King by an elected [[List of Presidents of Iceland|President of Iceland]] who is the designated [[Grand Master (order)|Grand Master]] of this Order. It may be awarded to both Icelanders and citizens of other countries for achievements in Iceland or internationally.<ref name=president/> A five-member council makes recommendations on awards to the Grand Master, who then grants the award. However, the Grand Master may award the Order without recommendations from the Order Council.<ref>{{cite book|editor-last1=Hieronymussen|editor-first1=Poul Ohm|editor-last2=Lundø|editor-first2=Jørgen|translator-last=Karnila|translator-first=Christer|title=Eurooppalaiset kunniamerkit värikuvina|trans-title=Europæiske ordner i farver|year=1968|publisher=WSOY|location=Porvoo|language=fi|oclc=466954328|page=101}}</ref> The Grand Master and the Chairman of the Order Council then sign the Letters Patent, which are presented to the awards's recipients.