London, 28 July 2012. His Excellency Ricardo Martinelli Berrocal, President of the Republic of Panama, and The Honourable Marta Linares de Martinelli, First Lady of the Republic of Panama, were invested as a Knight Grand Cross with Gold Star and a Dame Grand Cross of Merit respectively into the internationally recognised Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George and the Royal Order of Francis I at an Investiture ceremony presided held at Stationers’ Hall in London. The Grand Master of the Order, HRH Prince Charles of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro presided.
His Excellency Ricardo Martinelli Berrocal, President of the Republic of Panama gave a short speech after his investiture.
“I accept The Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George in which today I am decorated.
“The honor given to me i
s gratified and I accept it on behalf of the noble people of Panamá and of its government, which I represent.
“This distinction makes me to be, in some ways, heir to a long and noble tradition of nobility and service dating back many centuries, and which today I have been able to be included, thank you to your greatest generosity.
“This cross has been imposed on two distinguished panamanian citizens: Mrs. Mireya Moscoso R, ex-President of the Republic of Panamá and Mr. Harmodio Arias C ex-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Panamá.
“The Grand Master, His Royal Highness The Duke of Castro, Grand Prior His Eminence Cardinal Martino and Delegate for Inter-Religious Relations of the Order and host His Excellency Mr Anthony Bailey I would like to thank you all for the honor you have given me.
“Today, with genuine pride, I join that select and small list of distinguished Presidents of Panama that were honored with the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George.
“I will carry this cross as one of the highest distinctions that I have been honored with during my work as President of the Republic of Panama.
“It´s place will be my heart, with my most noble and elevated feelings and in where I keep the affection of the noble people of Panama, of which I am a faithful and obedient servant.