H.R.H. Prince Charles of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro, Head of the Royal House and Grand Master of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George, accompanied by his daughter H.R.H. Princess Maria Chiara of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duchess of Noto and Capri, and by H.R.H. Princess Beatrice of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Grand Prefect of the Order, promoted an extensive programme of meetings and activities held in Naples from 5 to 7 November. The programme brought together the values of tradition, Christian spirituality and a commitment to supporting the most vulnerable members of society.
A particularly significant spiritual and institutional event for the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George took place on Friday, 6 November. At the Royal Pontifical Basilica of Saint Francis of Paola, in Piazza del Plebiscito, a Solemn Eucharistic Celebration was held, followed by the investiture ceremony of the new Knights and Dames of the Delegations of Campania, Basilicata, Calabria, Apulia and Sicily at Palazzo Salerno, headquarters of the Italian Army’s Southern Operational Forces Command and the Southern Interregional Defence Forces Command. Among those in attendance were H.E. Don Gian Carlo Rocco of the Princes of Torrepadula, Grand Treasurer of the Order, as well as cadets from the Nunziatella Military School.
Among the distinguished personalities who received their investiture were:
H.S.H. Prince Edouard de Ligne-La Tremoille
H.S.H. Princess Isabella de Ligne-La Tremoille
Admiral Vincenzo Montanaro
Countess Maria Grazia Leonetti di Santo Janni
Duke Fabio Pignatelli della Leonessa
Marquis Giovan Francesco Serra di Cassano
Duke Francesco Carignani di Carignano di Novoli
Noble Giorgio Cocozza of the Marquises of Montanara
Noble Francesco Saverio of the Counts Marulli
Noble Maria Vittoria Capece Minutolo of the Princes of Canosa
The evening concluded with a reception at the Circolo Nazionale dell’Unione, on Via San Carlo. The proceeds were donated to the “Associazione Gioventù Cattolica” (Asso.Gio.Ca.), a voluntary organisation affiliated with the Archdiocese of Naples. Since 1997, the association has been active in the city’s historic centre, providing young people with tangible opportunities for personal growth and social inclusion through community activities, volunteering, solidarity initiatives, information and career guidance, with the aim of offering young people positive alternatives to life on the streets.
The events took place under the leadership of the Delegate for Campania, Marchioness Donna Federica de Gregorio Cattaneo of the Princes of Sant’Elia, encouraging the participation of the Delegations from Southern Italy and fostering the involvement of local charitable and voluntary organisations.
With its history, institutions and profound Christian heritage, Naples provided the ideal setting for three days in which the value of memory and tradition was translated into concrete acts of generosity. A message that goes beyond the solemnity of the ceremonies and reaffirms the deeper meaning of chivalric tradition: to serve, bear witness to the faith and work concretely for the good of others.
