Today, the Constantinian Order is fully recognised by the Italian Republic. Italian citizens can seek official approval to wear the Order’s decorations, and the Republic’s military officers may wear its insignia on uniform. Many senior Italian state officials, ministers and diplomats have been awarded the decoration including among others the Ambassadors of the Italian Republic to numerous European and Middle Eastern states as well as to the Holy See. In 1973, by Decree of the President of the Republic, Giovanni Leone (left), the National Italian Association of the Knights of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George was elevated to a non-profit organisation. President Leone, who served as the Italian Head of State from 1971-1978, was also invested into the Constantinian Order as a Knight Grand Cross with Gold Star and Collar within the Special Category.
In 1986 His Excellency Professor Francesco Cossiga (right), President of the Italian Republic from 1985-1992 was decreed and invested by the Grand Master, HRH The Duke of Castro, as a Knight Grand Cross with Gold Star and Collar within the Special Category; a position he held throughout his term as the Italian Head of State. Since leaving office Professor Cossiga ceased being a member.
The warm and cordial relationship between the Italian Republic and the Royal House of Bourbon Two Sicilies were further cemented in 1996 when His Royal Highness The Duke of Calabria, as Grand Prefect of the Constantinian Order, was invested by decree of His Excellency President Oscar Luigi Scalfaro (President 1992-1999) as a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Italian Republic. The investiture ceremony was conducted by the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Lamberto Dini. During the formal exchange of honours, His Royal Highness The Duke of Calabria, on behalf of his Father, the Grand Master, invested the Foreign Minister as a Knight Grand Cross with Gold Star within the Special Category.
In March 2003 in a ceremony at Palazzo Chigi, the President of the Council of Ministers (Prime Minister) of the Italian Republic, Silivio Berlusconi (right), was invested into the Constantinian Order as a Knight Grand Cross with Gold Star and Collar within the Special Category.
On 12 November 2010 the Grand Master, HRH Prince Carlo, The Duke of Castro, invested The Hon Franco Frattini, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy (left) as a Knight Grand Cross of Merit of the Constantinian Order.