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Decoration

Order of the Tower and Sword, of Valor, Loyalty and Merit: Grand Cross (recorded as "GC")

Lula is greeted by the president of Portugal, Aníbal Cavaco Silva, as he receives the Laurel of Gratitude at the Real Gabinete Português de Leitura, on March 8, 2008, during Cavaco Silva's visit to Brazil in which Lula was awarded the Order of the Tower and Sword (the photo does not show that decoration).
Lula is greeted by the president of Portugal, Aníbal Cavaco Silva, as he receives the Laurel of Gratitude at the Real Gabinete Português de Leitura, on March 8, 2008, during Cavaco Silva's visit to Brazil in which Lula was awarded the Order of the Tower and Sword (the photo does not show that decoration).Photo: Ricardo Stuckert/PR (Agência Brasil), CC BY 3.0 BR

Documentary record

According to the Chancellery, the Order of the Tower and Sword is intended to reward exceptionally distinguished merits in the exercise of the supreme offices of the organs of sovereignty or in command of troops in campaign (general purpose, not the specific rationale for the award).[1]

In an information note of March 5, 2008, the Presidency of the Portuguese Republic reported that the President had decided to decorate Lula with the Grand Cross with Collar of the Military Order of the Tower and Sword, of Valor, Loyalty and Merit, in the context of his visit to Brazil.[2]

Sources and evidence

Excerpts are quoted in the original language of the source.

  1. 1. According to the Chancellery, the Order of the Tower and Sword is intended to reward exceptionally distinguished merits in the exercise of the supreme offices of the organs of sovereignty or in command of troops in campaign (general purpose, not the specific rationale for the award).

    • Ordem da Torre e Espada - Página Oficial das Ordens Honoríficas Portuguesas · Presidency of the Portuguese Republic: Portuguese Honorific Orders Granting institution
      Where: paragraph 1. Accessed October 13, 2026.
      “De acordo com o estabelecido na Lei das Ordens Honoríficas Portuguesas, destina-se a galardoar méritos excepcionalmente distintos no exercício das funções dos cargos supremos dos órgãos de soberania ou no comando de tropas em campanha.”

  2. 2. In an information note of March 5, 2008, the Presidency of the Portuguese Republic reported that the President had decided to decorate Lula with the Grand Cross with Collar of the Military Order of the Tower and Sword, of Valor, Loyalty and Merit, in the context of his visit to Brazil.

    • Nota informativa da Presidência da República · Presidency of the Portuguese Republic (Aníbal Cavaco Silva archive, 2006 to 2016) Granting institution
      Where: first paragraph. Accessed October 14, 2026.
      “No quadro da sua próxima visita ao Brasil, a convite do Presidente Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Sua Excelência o Presidente da República decidiu agraciar as seguintes individualidades, em reconhecimento pelo seu contributo para o reforço das relações entre Portugal e o Brasil”
    • Nota informativa da Presidência da República · Presidency of the Portuguese Republic (Aníbal Cavaco Silva archive, 2006 to 2016) Granting institution
      Where: last paragraph. Accessed October 14, 2026.
      “Para lá destas personalidades, o Presidente da República decidiu, ainda, agraciar o Presidente Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva com a Grã-Cruz com Colar da Ordem Militar da Torre e Espada, do Valor, Lealdade e Mérito, criada por D. João VI, após a sua chegada ao Rio de Janeiro, e Dona Marisa Letícia Lula da Silva, com a Grã-Cruz da Ordem Militar de Cristo.”
    • Nota informativa da Presidência da República · Presidency of the Portuguese Republic (Aníbal Cavaco Silva archive, 2006 to 2016) Granting institution
      Where: date of the note, at the end of the text. Accessed October 14, 2026.
      “Lula da Silva, com a Grã-Cruz da Ordem Militar de Cristo. 05.03.2008”