Rome, April 23rd, 2024 – A Solemn Eucharistic Ceremony was held in the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem, in the presence of H.R.H. Prince Charles of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro and Head of the Royal House, in honour of Saint George Martyr, patron saint of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George. The pontifical Mass was presided over by His Eminence the Most Reverend Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints and Grand Prior of the Order.
The Investiture Ceremony was attended by distinguished guests from all over the world, as well as by many civil, military and religious institutions.
“This is a very significant moment for our Order, since it strenghtens the bonds of brotherhood and of serving others,” stated H.R.H. Prince Charles. “Each new member brings a precious contribution to our work, promoting a human solidarity mission.”
H.R.H. the Duke of Castro was together with the Royal Family: Her Royal Highness Princess Camilla of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duchess of Castro; H.R.H. the Hereditary Princess Maria Carolina of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duchess of Calabria and Palermo; H.R.H. Princess Maria Chiara of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duchess of Noto and Capri; H.R.H. Princess Beatrice of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Grand Prefect; H.R.H. Princess Anna of Bourbon Two Sicilies; H.R.H. Prince Casimiro of Bourbon Two Sicilies, President of the Royal Deputation; H.R.H. Princess Elena Sofia of Bourbon Two Sicilies.
His Most Eminent Highness Fra’ John Dunlap, Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta, was also present, accompanied by the Grand Commander, H.E. Fra’ Emmanuel Rousseau, nominated on this occasion Knight Grand Cross of Justice of the Constantinian Order.
Among the attending authorities were the Hon. Lorenzo Fontana, President of the Chamber of Deputies; the Hon. Sergio Costa, Vice President of the Chamber of Deputies; H.I.R.H. Ambassador Edward of Habsburg ; H.E. Ambassador Marek Lisánsky; H.E. Ambassador Adam Kwiatkowsky; the Noble Constitutional Judge Filippo Patroni Griffi; the Councilor of the Court of Auditors Francesco De Leverano; the Captain of Harbour Master Ports – Coast Guard, Admiral Chief Inspector Nicola Carlone (CP); the President of the Italian Red Cross, the Lawyer Rosario Valastro; the Mayor of Gaeta, Mr. Cristian Leccese; the Mayor of Portici, Hon. Vincenzo Cuomo; as well as Mr. Massimo Barra, President emeritus of the Italian and International Red Cross; Mrs. Emilia Scarcella, National Inspector of the Italian Red Cross Volunteer Nurse Corps.
Among the people who were admitted into the Order were also H.E. Fra’ Alessandro de Franciscis, Grand Hospitaller of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta; H.E. Prince Barberini, Don Benedetto Prince of Palestrina; H.E. Prince Borghese Don Scipione, Prince of Sulmona; H.E. Count Don Antonello Del Balzo of Presenzano, Duke of Presenzano; Marquis Giuliano Buccino Grimaldi Count of Bisaccia; Don Moroello Diaz Pallavicini della Vittoria dei Duchi della Vittoria; Count Don Alessandro Gaetani dell’Aquila d’Aragona dei Duchi di Laurenzana; General of the Army Corps Antonio Vittiglio; Baroness Giada Magliano, who on the occasion also collected the diploma of her husband, H.E. Ambassador Giandomenico Magliano; H.E. Ambassador Marcus Bergmann; Engineer Carmen Milena Antonella Lerario, CEO Airbus Italia; Professor Pino Musolino, President of the Port Authority of the Central-Northern Tyrrhenian Sea; H.R.H. Don Afonso de Bragança, Prince of Beira, who collected the diploma of his sister, H.R.H. the Infanta María Francisca de Bragança, Duchess of Coimbra. Finally, the Gold Medal of Merit was given to the Associazione Nazionale Carabinieri, at the presence of the National President, General of the Army Corps Libero Lo Sardo.
You can see HERE (QUI) all the pictures regarding the Investiture Ceremony.