Palermo – March 2003. During the celebrations to mark 183rd anniversary of the creation of the town of Balestrate, the Delegate of the Constantinian Order in Palermo, Dr Antonio of Janni, presented the town’s Mayor, Dr Savior Bonaviri, with the Order’s medal of merit and a plaque from the Order’s Grand Prefect His Royal Highness The Duke of Calabria who descends from King Ferdinando I, who orginally created the town.
During the ceremony a copy of the Royal Decree dated March 29th, 1820, together with a copy of the historical Coat of Arms of the town, as approved by the Sovereign, were presented to the mayor. At the request of the Town Council, the Post Office began cancelling postage stamps with the Coat of Arms of the Royal House.
A congratulatory message from His Royal Highness The Duke of Calabria, was read out and as a sign of gratitude, the Town Council announced its decision to re-name the main street of the town in honour of King Ferdinando I.