On 8 November 2021, His Majesty the King presented the Medal of Honor for Art and Science of the House Order of Orange to conductor and pianist Ed Spanjaard at Noordeinde Palace. The medal was awarded to Ed Spanjaard by Royal Decree of 28 October 2021 because of his special personal merits, including in the musical setting of the Royal Wedding in 2002 and his great significance for Dutch and international musical life.

The Medal of Honor for Art and Science is awarded to persons with exceptional merits in the fields of art and science. The award is also based on a special relationship with the Royal House.

Ed Spanjaard is section representative and principal subject teacher of orchestral conducting at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. He also teaches at the National Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting, a collaboration between the CvA and the Royal Conservatoire The Hague.