Rome, May 2011. The Delegation in Britain and Ireland has been notified that the 2011 annual investiture of new Knights and Dames of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George took place in Rome on 30 May 2011 in the presence of the Grand Master, HRH Prince Carlo of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro, and his wife HRH Princess Camilla, Duchess of Castro.
The ceremony was held in the Royal Church of the Holy Spirit of the Neapolitans in Via Giulia. The ceremony was officiated by His Eminence Renato Raffaele, Cardinal Martino, Grand Prior of the Order and His Eminence Albert, Cardinal Vanhoye, SJ, Grand Prior Emeritus and Ecclesiastical Counsellor of the Royal House of Bourbon Two Sicilies.
Among those invested into the Constantinian Order was the Heir to the French Throne, His Royal Highness Prince Jean d’Orléans, Dauphin of France and Duke of Vendôme. The Dauphin was awarded the Knight Grand Cross of Justice of the Constantinian Order in light of the longstanding and cordial ties which exist between the two Royal Houses.
During the investiture ceremony appreciation and special thanks were extended by the Secretary General of the Order, HE Ambassador Giuseppe Balboni Acqui, too all those who have supported the Order. Among those thanked were all dames and knights and their families, the Presidency of the Italian Republic, Parliament and Government, the Holy See, and the Sovereign Pontiff.
Among those invested into the Royal Order of Francis I were former French Justice Minister HE Rachida Dati.
The Prince and Grand Master of the Order of Malta, HMEH Frà Matthew Festing was represented by HE Frà Giacomo dalla Torre del Tempio, Conte di Sanguinetto.
The ceremony was followed by a reception in honour of the new Constantinian Knights and Dames at Palazzo Ruspoli, Via del Corso, hosted by the Delegate for Rome and the Lazio region of the Constantinian Order, Don Sforza Ruspoli Marescotti, Prince of Cerveteri, and his wife Princess Maria Pia Ruspoli.