His Royal Highness Prince Carlo 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, Her Royal Highness Princess Maria Chiara of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duchess of Noto and Capri, and by Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Grand Prefect of the Order, was the driving force behind an extensive programme of meetings and activities held in Naples from 5 to 7 November. These events 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 occasion for the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George took place on Friday, 6 November. At the Royal Pontifical Basilica of San Francesco di Paola, in Piazza del Plebiscito, a Solemn Eucharistic Celebration was held, followed by the investiture ceremony for 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 His Excellency 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 individuals who received their investiture were:
His Serene Highness Prince Edouard de Ligne-La Tremoille
Her Serene Highness 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
Nobleman Giorgio Cocozza of the Marquesses of Montanara
Nobleman Francesco Saverio of the Counts Marulli
Noblewoman 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 Catholic Youth Association (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, offering young people practical opportunities for personal development and social inclusion through community activities, volunteering, solidarity initiatives, information and employment guidance, with the aim of providing young people with positive alternatives to life on the streets.
The events took place under the guidance 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 organisations and associations.
With its history, institutions and deep-rooted Christian tradition, Naples provided the ideal setting for three days during which the value of heritage and roots was translated into tangible acts of generosity. A message extending beyond the solemnity of the ceremonies, reaffirming the deeper meaning of the chivalric tradition: to serve, bear witness to the faith and work concretely for the good of others.
