Historical Notes
It was instituted on January 1, 1819, by H.M. King Ferdinand I, King of the Two Sicilies, to reward valor and military merit, and was so named to celebrate the reunion of the domains on this side and beyond the Strait (Naples and Sicily) into a single realm.
In 1829 King Francis I and in 1850 King Ferdinand II reformed its Statutes.
The Order is divided into eight Grades:
- the Knights Grand Cross, who wear the collar ribbon, the cross, and the plaque;
- the Grand Officers, with collar ribbon, cross without Saint George, and plaque with reduced rays;
- the Commanders, with collar ribbon and cross;
- the Officers, with ribbon, small rosette, and cross on the buttonhole;
- the Knights of Justice, with ribbon and cross on the buttonhole;
- the Knights of Grace, with ribbon and cross on the buttonhole;
- the Gold Medal;
- the Silver Medal;
The decoration consists of the fleur-de-lis cross enameled in ruby red with in the center a white enamel medallion bearing the effigy of Saint George on horseback piercing the dragon, surrounded by a circle of blue enamel with the motto “IN HOC SIGNO VINCES” and by a laurel wreath. The angles of the cross are flanked by two crossed swords. For the Knights Grand Cross, from the lower arm of the same, hangs the image of Saint George in gold; the whole surmounted by the Royal Crown.
On the reverse, in the medallion with Saint George at the center, the word “VIRTUTI“.
The ribbon is azure blue edged with yellow.
Grand Master
His Royal Highness Prince Carlo of Bourbon of the Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro
