London, November 8th 2018- HRH Prince Charles of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro and Grand Master, participated in the solemn investiture ceremony organized by the English delegation that was held today at the Crypt of Westminster Cathedral in London, followed by a gala dinner.
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London, October 29th 2018– HRH Prince Charles of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro and Grand Master, with HRH Princess Camilla of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duchess of Castro and their daughters, HRH Princess Maria Carolina, Duchess of Calabria and Palermo and HRH Princess Maria Chiara, Duchess of Capri and Noto, will participate in the solemn investiture ceremony, organized by the English delegation, scheduled for November 8th, 2018.
The celebration will be held at the Crypt of Westminster Cathedral in London at 11.15 am.
For more information, please see www.constantinian.org.uk or you can contact the delegation chancellery at chancery@constantinian.org.uk
London, 24 May 2016. The Constantinian Order in Great Britain and Ireland will be hosting a Banquet in honour of His Excellency János Áder, President of Hungary on Tuesday 24 May 2016 at Drapers’ Hall, Throgmorton Avenue (London) at 6.30-10.30pm. Senior representatives from both states including those from the church, parliament, diplomatic and business communities will be in attendance. This Banquet will celebrate a major ecumenical event taking place in Britain which will include the return of the relics of Saint and Martyr Thomas à Becket from Esztergom, Hungary to London & Canterbury. The Relics of St Thomas à Becket are kept with great reverence at Esztergom, seat of the Metropolitan Archdiocese and Primatial See of Hungary. Hungary’s stewardship of these holy relics highlight its Christian roots, its spiritual connection to England, and the wider historic ties between the United Kingdom and Hungary. A week-long programme of events will take place between 23-29 May 2016 and conclude with a historic pilgrimage to Canterbury via Rochester. This joint initiative between the Embassy of Hungary in London together with the Roman Catholic Church of England and Wales and the Church of England, will allow believers to venerate the relics of St Thomas à Becket. The Constantinian Order has a long association with Hungary and was formally recognised by the Hungarian Government by decree of the President of the Republic in 2011. At the Banquet will participate T.R.H., Prince Charles and Princess Camilla of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke and Duchess of Castro.
London – October 2014. The Grand Master of the Constantinian Order, H.R.H. Prince Charles of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro, with his wife H.R.H. Princess Camilla of Bourbon, Duchess of Castro, on the occasion of Their visit to London held from the 6th to the 10th October 2014, participated in various charity events in support of the “homeless”.
The Delegate of Great Britain and Ireland, H.E. Mr. Anthony Bailey, showed to H.R.H the Homeless World Reception Day held on the 9th of October 2014 in the Cholmondeley hall in the House of Lord.
The event, presented by Field Marshal The Rt Hon Lord Guthrie of Craigiebank, Constantinian Order’s Deputy Managing Director for Scotland, was organized in co-operation with Caritas Anchor House which assists disadvantaged and needy people.
During the evening of the 10th October 2014, H.R.H the Duke and Duchess of Castro and the Knights and Dames of the Order and other illustrious guests participated to the Charity Concert “A Night Under the Stars” at the Royal Festival Hall in London. A concert in favor of the association “The Passage” that takes care of the homeless.
H.R.H the Duke and Duchess of Castro accompanied to the Royal Box, from H.R.H. Prince Raja Rezza Shah of Malaysia and H.R.H. Princess Marie – Therese von Hohenberg, were welcomed by the President of the foundation Sister Ellen Flynn and Chief Executive Officer, Michael Clarke.
London – October 2014. During his visit to London, HRH The Duke of Castro and British & Irish Delegate Anthony Bailey paid a home visit to the outgoing Delegate for Poland of the Constantinian Order, HE Count Andrzej Ciechanowiecki and to express their personal thanks for his lifetime commitment in the interests in the Constantinian Order.
London – October 2014. HRH Prince Charles of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro has been awarded the Companion’s Badge of the League of Mercy, in recognition of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George’s voluntary service to wider society in Britain.
The awards ceremony took place at the Claridge’s Hotel in London on 8 October 2014 and was presided over by The Rt Hon the Lord Lingfield, President of the League of Mercy. Among those attending were HE Mr Anthony Bailey, Delegate of Great Britain & Ireland, The Rt Hon Lord Lingfield, Mr Nigel Branson JP, Mr Rupert Pearson and Dr Xhoana Papakostandini, Chancery Assistant.
The Rt Hon Lord Lingfield, President of the League of Mercy said“Your Royal Highness. The Order of Mercy was first founded by Royal Charter of HM Queen Victoria in 1899 to recognise voluntary work in hospitals both at home and in war zones. Its aims broadened in 1999, one hundred years later, to encompass care for the dying, for refugees, the homeless, for children at risk and others in need. One of the Order’s Royal Founders said in 1907: ‘the Order’s work forms a golden chain of sympathy between all sorts and conditions of our people. Everyone will recognise the need for its work for there is ringing in our ears a great cry of suffering, unceasing through the ages, a pleading to which we must not refuse to listen.’
“Its highest award is the Grand Companion of the Order and its Trustees have delegated to me their authority to confer it upon Your Royal Highness today for your exemplary voluntary humanitarian endeavours on behalf of the destitute and needy through the charitable and spiritual mission of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George which you have served and led so extremely well for over thirty years. It is with great pleasure, Your Royal Highness, that I do so now.”
HRH The Duke of Castro also made a short speech during the presentation. “My Lord, Your Excellency, Ladies and Gentlemen. In thanking you for your kind words I wanted to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to you, your fellow officers and the League of Mercy for presenting me with the Grand Companion’s Insignia of The Order of Mercy. The League of Mercy was originally created in 1899 for the encouragement and recognition of voluntary work in hospitals and the wider community. The worldwide Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George, of which I have the honour to serve as the 59th Grand Master share with you this central mission. I know that our vibrant Delegation here in Great Britain and Ireland is also very much active in these areas too.
My Lord, I am needless to say touched that you and your distinguished charity consider my efforts in the service of our faith and of wider society here in the United Kingdom and elsewhere worthy of this recognition. I accept it this Insignia with much pleasure and in the hope that our two organisations with grow in strength as a result.
My Lord, be assured of my good wishes and prayers as you continue your much needed and valuable work.”
The League of Mercy was founded on 30th of March 1899 by Royal Charter of Queen Victoria. It was instigated by the Prince of Wales (later Edward VII) who became its first Grand President. Subsequently two further Princes of Wales (later George V and Edward VIII) and HRH Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester succeeded him in this office. The League was refounded as a nationwide registered charity in 1999 and now continues the work of the original royal founder. Among other holders of the Companion’s Badge is Delegation member HRH Princess Michael of Kent.
London, June 2012. Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II sent the following message in reply to a message of Loyal Greeting extended to the Sovereign on occasion of the Diamond Jubilee of her Accession to the Throne.
“I send my grateful thanks to the Cardinal Prior, Delegate, Vice Delegate, Chaplains, Council members and Knights and Dames of the Delegation of Great Britain and Ireland of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George and the Royal Order of Francis I for their kind message of loyal greetings, sent on the occasion of the Sixtieth Anniversary of my Accession to the Throne.
“In return, please accept my good wishes for a most memorable and enjoyable Diamond Jubilee year”.
ELIZABETH R.
To download the message click here.
London, 28 July 2012. “Faith in Sport” Royal Gala Dinner to celebrate 2012 London Olympics was held at the historic Stationers’ Hall, close to St Paul’s Cathedral in the City of London.
It was hosted by the Delegate for Great Britain and Ireland, HE Mr Anthony Bailey, and held in the presence of the Grand Master of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George, HRH Prince Carlo of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro, and his wife, HRH Princess Camilla of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duchess of Castro.
Over 250 knights, dames and medalists attended including nine senior statesmen from Europe, Latin America, Asia, and the Caribbean who had earlier been invested into the Order by the Grand Master.
Among them were HE Ricardo Martinelli Berrocal, President of the Republic of Panama, HE Dr Nicholas Liverpool, President of the Commonwealth of Dominica, HE Mr Filip Vujanović, President of Montenegro, HRH Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala and HRH Crown Princess Sinaitakala Tuku’aho Fakafanua of the Kingdom of Tonga, HRH The Princess Elena of Romania and HE Mr Alexander Nixon and The Hon Dr Kenny Anthony, Prime Minister of Saint Lucia.
HSH Prince Peter von Hohenberg of Austria and HSH Princess Marie-Therese von Hohenberg, Mrs Anthony Bailey, HE Ambassador Giuseppe Balboni Acqua, Secretary General of the Royal House of Naples and past Lord Mayor of London Sir Gavyn Arthur attended.
The Sub Prior of the Order’s Delegation, The Most Reverend George Stack, Archbishop of Cardiff, opened the evening with prayers for the Pope, Queen and the Order.
The Delegate for Great Britain and Ireland and host, HE Mr Anthony Bailey, delivered a welcome address which included an overview of the activities of the Order and its relevance to the Olympic Games.
The Delegate read messages which had been sent to the Delegation Council by HM The Queen, HE The President of Ireland and the Rt Hon The Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman David Wootton. Messages from other world leaders were received including from HE The President of the Republic of Bulgaria, HMEH Fra Matthew Festing, Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta, HRH The Duke of York, HRH The Duke of Gloucester and HRH Prince Hassan bin Talal of Jordan.
The Guest Speaker was His Grace The Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, eleventh Archbishop of Westminster and Chaplain of the British and Irish Delegation. Archbishop Nichols delivered a thought provoking insight entitled ‘Faith in Sport’.
The Loyal Toast to The Queen was proposed by the Grand Master, HRH The Duke of Castro. The Loyal Toast to The President of Ireland was proposed by the Vice Delegate for Ireland, Professor Richard Conroy. HE Ambassador Balboni Acqua, Secretary General of the Royal House of Naples proposed the Toast to other Sovereigns and Heads of State present at the dinner and represented through Ambassadors at the dinner. A Vote of Thanks was offered by the Order’s Delegate Emeritus for Great Britain and Ireland, Lord Brennan of Bibury.
Among the faith leaders attending were His Grace The Most Rev Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, His Grace The Most Rev George Stack, Archbishop of Cardiff, HE Archbishop Antonio Mennini, Apostolic Nuncio to the Court of St James’s, His Eminence Archbishop Gregorios of Thyateira and Great Britain, Head of the Greek Orthodox Church in Great Britain, His Eminence The Most Rev Zenon, Archbishop of Dmanisi, Agara Tashiri, and Great Britain and Ireland, Head of the Georgian Orthodox Church in Great Britain, His Eminence Archbishop Athanasius Toma Dawod of the Syrian Orthodox Church, His Eminence Elisey, Archbishop of Sourozh, Head of the Russian Orthodox Church in Great Britain, The Rt Rev Thomas Burns, Bishop of Menevia and The Rt Rev Richard Cheetham, Bishop of Kingston.
Among the Ministers and Heads of Olympic Delegations attending were: Prof Rose Marie Antoine-Anthony, wife of the Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Mrs Liliam Kechichian, Minister for Sports and Tourism of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, HE Mr Jaime Ford, Vice Minister of Housing of the Republic of Panama, The Hon Thesele Maseribane, Minister of Gender, Sports and Recreation of the Kingdom of Lesotho, HE Mr Memli Krasniqi, Minister of Culture & Sport of the Republic of Kosovo, Mr Besim Hassani, Head of National Olympic Committee of Kosovo, Ms Victoria S Wolf, Department of State, United States of America, Mrs Irene de Delgado, Presidential Delegation of the Republic of Panama, Mr Rusland Obiang Nsue, Secretary of State of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, HE Mr Aldo Bumci, Minister of Culture, Tourism, Youth and Sports of the Republic of Albania, Mr Tsiliso Mokela, Principal Secretary of Gender, Sports and Recreation, Head of Olympic Committee of Lesotho, HE Saad Al Saadi, Minister of Sport of the Sultanate of Oman, Mr Baltazar Medina, President of the Colombian Olympic Committee, HE Sheikh Talal Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, Head of National Olympic Committee of the State of Kuwait, Mr Eduardo Palomo, President of El Salvador Olympic Committee, HE Mr Vath Chamroeun, Secretary General of the Cambodian Olympic Committee, Kingdom of Cambodia, Commissioner Abdissa Yadeta, Head of Ethiopian Olympic Delegation. Mr Manuel Asumu Cawan, President of Olympic Committee of the Republic of
Equatorial Guinea, Mr Felix Wilson, Head of Olympic Committee of the Commonwealth of Dominica, Mr Thomas Dorsett, Secretary General of the Olympic Committee of the Commonwealth of Dominica and Senator The Honourable E P Chet Greene, President of the Antigua & Barbuda Olympic Committee.
Also attending were the Ambassadors and High Commissioners and Heads of Missions of Angola, Antigua & Barbuda, the Holy See, Italy, Spain, Albania, Colombia, Panama, Ireland, Paraguay, USA, Italy, Argentina, Lesotho, Ecuador, Sri Lanka, Jamaica, Kuwait, Uruguay, El Salvador, Dominica, Tonga, Ethiopia, Kosovo, Romania, Montenegro, Equatorial Guinea, Bulgaria, Hungary, Ghana, and The Philippines.
Mr and Mrs Leo Hopley representing HE The Lieutenant for England and Wales of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, Sir Desmond de Silva, QC, Sir John Wheeler, DL, The Rev Father John O’Leary, Lady Brennan of Bibury, Judge Patrick Clyne, Dr Colin Smythe, Mr Richard Model, The Hon Alexander Brennan, Miss Barbara Newman, Mr John Barber, DL, Deputy and Mrs William Fraser, Mr John McIntosh, Mr Timothy George, Mr John Kennedy CBE, DL, and Mr Rory More-O’Farrell, attended together with other members of the Delegation Council and Knights, Dames and Medalists of the worldwide Order.
A Guard of Honour by the Company of Pikemen and Musketeers of the Honourable Artillery Company, Body Guards to the Rt Hon the Lord Mayor of the city of London were on parade by permission of the Captain Commanding.
The London Banqueting Ensemble under the direction of Steven Fletcher performed the evening’s music programme.
London, 28 July 2012. The Rt Hon Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman David Wootton, sent a message to the British and Irish Delegate of the Constantinian Order, HE Mr Anthony Bailey, on the occasion of the Royal Gala Dinner held at Stationers’ Hall in London on 28 July 2012.
“I am delighted to welcome you all to the City of London, which has played such a central role in the nation’s economic, political and spiritual life for centuries. It is a great financial centre, but it is still the home of many active churches and the workplace of thousands of committed Christians of all pews. We are equally proud of the City’s other diverse faith communities including the Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Sikh and Hindu communities among others.
“The City prides itself on the rich diversity of our religious life, so we are especially pleased that this dinner, held in the presence of so many prominent faith and state personalities, is celebrating the historic but living bonds between faith and sport, is being held in the Square Mile. How appropriate it is as well that you meet at Stationers’ Hall, one of the oldest and beautiful livery company halls, and the site of one of the venues where the scholars who worked on the King James Bible met to settle their differences and disputes. Our modern world is still one riven by religious strife, so I congratulate you and the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George and especially its Delegation in Great Britain and Ireland on the important work you continue to give in building bridges within religions and between them.
“I wish you well for an enjoyable and successful evening”.
Yours sincerely,
Alderman David Wootton
London, October 2011. Freedom of the City of London award was granted to the Constantinian Order’s Grand Master HRH Prince Carlo of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro, and HRH Princess Camilla of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duchess of Castro, have been granted the Freedom of the City of London by order of the Court of Common Council of the City of London. The ceremony took place as part of a wider four-day visit to London at the invitation of the Delegation of Great Britain and Ireland of the Constantinian Order.
