Inauguration of the Petrine Ministry of Pope Francis
Inauguration of the Petrine Ministry of Pope Francis
SMCSG Clarification
Rome, 19 October 2012. Clarification about the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George in regards of the publication by the Vatican Secretariat of State.
“We welcome the helpful publication by the Vatican Secretariat of State of its position concerning the recognition by the Holy See of numerous Equestrian Orders. This position is longstanding, well understood and appreciated by the Grand Master and Grand Prior of the Constantinian Order”.
Bourbon-Two Sicilies Royal Family visit Southern Italy
London, June 2012.The Bourbon-Two Sicilies Royal Family, The Duke and Duchess of Castro, Princess Maria Chiara and Princess Maria Carolina spent the long weekend retracing their families history by visiting some of the most important places associated with the former kingdom of the Two Sicilies. The Royal Family visited the magnificent Royal Palace of Caserta which was commissioned by their ancestor King Carlo of Bourbon in the eighteenth century and built by renowned architect Luigi Vanvitelli.
The monument, unique in the world and rivalling in size and magnificence only with the Palace of Versailles, was the scene in 2002 of a royal banquet for over 300 prominent guests from across the world which was held to mark the Baptism of Princess Maria Carolina. Subsequently, the Royal Family visited Salerno and Naples. During the visit, Princess Maria Carolina celebrated her nineth birthday with a visit to Capri and visited the magnificnent ‘Blue Grotto’.
King George Tupou V of Tonga passes away
18 March 2012. His Majesty King George Tupou V of Tonga passes away. At this sad news H.R.H. Prince Charles of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro, head of the Royal House of Naples, sent to the Royal family of Tonga the expression of his deep heartfelt condolences in memory of the recent visit to Rome by His Majesty and of the friendly relations launched on this occasion.
King George V Tupou of Tonga invested into the Constantinian Order
Rome – 28 February 2012. By decree of the Grand Master, HRH The Duke of Castro, His Majesty King George V Tupou of Tonga was invested as a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Francis I in recognition of the warm ties, which exist between the two Royal dynasties.
The Tongan monarch, who is a Methodist, was also awarded the Gold Benemerenti Medal of the Constantinian Order in recognition of King George’s efforts to defend and protect the Christian faith in Tonga and for his global contribution to further greater inter-religious understanding.
The two high awards were presented to King George V Tupou by the Grand Prior of the Constantinian Order, His Eminence Renato Raffaele, Cardinal Martino, in the presence of senior officials from both sides.
Cardinal Martino also presented on behalf of the Grand Master the insignia of the Knight Grand Cross of Merit of the Constantinian Order on Mr David Dunkley, Private Secretary to the King and the insignia of Knight Commander of the Royal Order of Francis I on the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Tonga to the Italian Republic HE Mr Sione Ngongo Kioa.