In a dramatic diplomatic gesture, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el‑Sisi presented President Donald Trump with the Order of the Nile, the highest state honor in modern Egypt, during a peace summit in Sharm el‑Sheikh. The award is a nod to Trump’s “significant contributions to promoting peace” and particularly for his role in ending the war in Gaza, according to Sisi’s office.
Accepting the honor, Trump expressed gratitude and complimented the Nile’s beauty: “I’m deeply honored … The Nile is so beautiful, so magnificent.” He spoke from the summit, emphasizing the symbolic weight of the award.
The Order of the Nile—also called the Collar of the Nile—is a striking piece of ceremonial regalia. It features three gold squares adorned with Pharaonic imagery symbolizing protection, prosperity, and endurance. These are linked by gold flowers with turquoise and ruby accents. Suspended beneath is a hexagonal pendant decorated in Pharaonic style, centering on a motif uniting Egypt’s North (papyrus) and South (lotus).
Originally established in 1915 by Sultan Hussein Kamel when Egypt was a British protectorate, the award recognized exceptional service by Egyptians and foreigners. After Egypt became a republic in 1953, the charter was revised to allow international recipients. Past honorees include King Hussein of Jordan, Emperor Akihito, Nelson Mandela, Narendra Modi, and former U.S. President Jimmy Carter.
Israel responded in kind: President Isaac Herzog announced that Israel would present Trump with its own highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Honor.
The award both crowns Trump’s diplomatic momentum in the Middle East and cements his standing on the global stage as a peace broker whose reach extends far beyond American borders.
