The Order of the National Hero was first established and constituted by the Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda under the National Heroes Act 1994. This Act was repealed and the Order was re-established and re-constituted under the National Honours Act 1998, which was amended in 2000, 2001 and 2015. Persons who were members of the Order before the 1998 Act came into force became Knights or Dames Companion of Order.
Composition
The Order is composed of the Grand Master and one single class of Knights Companion or Dames Companion. The Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda is ex officio Grand Master of the Order. Membership is open to only citizens of Antigua and Barbuda and there may be no more than three living members at any one time.
Officers
The Order has five officers who compose the Chancery of the Order, as follows:
Appointments to the Order are made by the Grand Master on the advice of the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda and the Honours Committee established under the 1998 Act. The Honours Committee consists of a person appointed by the Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda, two Members of the Senate of Antigua and Barbuda and four Members of the House of Representatives of Antigua and Barbuda. The Governor General appoints the Chairperson of the Honours Committee from amongst its members. Posthumous appointments to the Order may be made, but a deceased recipient does not appear on the current list of members of the Order. New appointments are announced on the occasion of the Independence Day of Antigua and Barbuda. The Grand Master conducts investitures at Government House in St John's.
Precedence and privileges
Titles
In Antigua and Barbuda, Knights Companion of the Order may use the title "Sir" in front of their forename, and their wives may use the title "Lady" in front of their husband’s surname. Similarly, Dames Companion of the Order may use the title "Dame" in front of their forename. No specific privilege exists for their husbands. Permission to use these titles outside Antigua and Barbuda is the prerogative of each relevant jurisdiction. For instance, British citizens, including dual citizens, who are Knights and Dames of non-British orders of chivalry may not as a matter of official policy use their titles in the United Kingdom.
Post-nominals and precedence
Members of the Order are entitled to place post-nominals after their names as indicated above. They are also assigned a place in the order of precedence of Antigua and Barbuda.
Heraldic privileges
Knights and Dames Companion may petition for heraldic supporters to be granted to their arms. They may also encircle their arms with a circlet bearing the motto of the Order and the pendent insignia of the Order may be shown below the arms.
