Royal Order of Francis I
Encyclopedia
The Royal Order of Francis I (properly 'The Royal Order of Francis I of the Two Sicilies
') is a dynastic Order of Knighthood of the Royal House of Bourbon Two Sicilies. It is currently bestowed by Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro
.
The Royal Order of Francis I was founded on 28 September 1829 to reward civil and military merit and services to industry, agriculture, and the arts to the former Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. In more recent times, and especially since the late 1990's, it has also been awarded to those active in inter-religious affairs in Italy and internationally.
Although the Royal Order was a state Order of Merit and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies ceased to exist in 1860, the Order continued to be awarded by the exiled King Francis II
and his brother and successor Prince Alfonso, Count of Caserta
, although the latter did so for the last time in 1920. His successor as head of the Dynasty, Prince Ferdinand Pius, Duke of Calabria
who was head of the family from 1934-1960 accepted the de facto existence of the Italian State and abandoned an active pretension to the throne, considering the Order to be abeyance. His descendant Infante Carlos, Duke of Calabria
continues this policy.
Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro
, much like his father, Prince Ferdinand, Duke of Castro
, head of the line of the family descended from Prince Ranieri, Duke of Castro
has exercised the title and right of Grand Master and bestowed the Order.
Knight or Dame Commander
Francis I of the Two Sicilies
-Biography:Francis was born in Naples, the son of Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies and his wife Archduchess Maria Carolina of Austria. He was also the nephew of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI the last King and Queen of France before the first French Republic....
') is a dynastic Order of Knighthood of the Royal House of Bourbon Two Sicilies. It is currently bestowed by Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro
Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro
Prince Carlo of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro is one of two claimants to the headship of the House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies.-Early life and education:...
.
History
None of the Two Sicilies orders has ever been abolished, and before 1860 (when these were all founded) there was very little real distinction in Naples between the Crown and the State, and there were actual constitutions (as we would understand this term today) only for brief periods after 1800.The Royal Order of Francis I was founded on 28 September 1829 to reward civil and military merit and services to industry, agriculture, and the arts to the former Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. In more recent times, and especially since the late 1990's, it has also been awarded to those active in inter-religious affairs in Italy and internationally.
Although the Royal Order was a state Order of Merit and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies ceased to exist in 1860, the Order continued to be awarded by the exiled King Francis II
Francis II of the Two Sicilies
Francis II , was King of the Two Sicilies from 1859 to 1861. He was the last King of the Two Sicilies, as successive invasions by Giuseppe Garibaldi and Victor Emmanuel II of Sardinia ultimately brought an end to his rule, and marked the first major event of Italian unification...
and his brother and successor Prince Alfonso, Count of Caserta
Prince Alfonso, Count of Caserta
Prince Alfonso Maria Giuseppe Alberto of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Count of Caserta was the third son of Ferdinand II of the Two Sicilies and Archduchess Maria Theresa of Austria....
, although the latter did so for the last time in 1920. His successor as head of the Dynasty, Prince Ferdinand Pius, Duke of Calabria
Prince Ferdinand Pius, Duke of Calabria
Prince Ferdinand Pius , Duke of Calabria , was head of the House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies and pretender to the throne of the extinct Kingdom of the Two Sicilies from 1934 to 1960....
who was head of the family from 1934-1960 accepted the de facto existence of the Italian State and abandoned an active pretension to the throne, considering the Order to be abeyance. His descendant Infante Carlos, Duke of Calabria
Infante Carlos, Duke of Calabria
Infante Carlos of Spain, Prince of the Two Sicilies, Duke of Calabria, KOGF, KGCHS is the son of Don Alfonso of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duke of Calabria and Princess Alicia of Bourbon-Parma .-Biography:Infante Carlos is one of two claimants of the dignity of...
continues this policy.
Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro
Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro
Prince Carlo of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro is one of two claimants to the headship of the House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies.-Early life and education:...
, much like his father, Prince Ferdinand, Duke of Castro
Prince Ferdinand, Duke of Castro
Prince Ferdinando of the Two Sicilies was a claimant to the headship of the House of the Two Sicilies. He was known as the Duke of Castro.-Biography:...
, head of the line of the family descended from Prince Ranieri, Duke of Castro
Prince Ranieri, Duke of Castro
Prince Ranieri Maria Gaetano, Duke of Castro was a claimant to the headship of the House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies.-Biography:...
has exercised the title and right of Grand Master and bestowed the Order.
Recent Recipients
Knight or Dame Grand Cross- HRH Princess Camilla, Duchess of CastroPrincess Camilla, Duchess of CastroPrincess Camilla of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duchess of Castro is the wife of Prince Carlo of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro, a claimant to the headship of the House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies....
, Dame Grand Cross, - HRH Princess Benedikte of DenmarkPrincess Benedikte of DenmarkPrincess Benedikte of Denmark, Princess of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, , , is the second daughter of King Frederick IX of Denmark and Ingrid of Sweden...
, Dame Grand Cross, - HRH Princess Elena of RomaniaPrincess Elena of Romania-Titles and styles:* 15 November 1950–present: Her Royal Highness, Princess Elena of Romania, Princess of Hohenzollern-Ancestry:-External links:* *...
, Dame Grand Cross, - His Eminence Archbishop Mor Athanasius Touma Dawod, ArchbishopArchbishopAn archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
of UK, Syriac Orthodox ChurchSyriac Orthodox ChurchThe Syriac Orthodox Church; is an autocephalous Oriental Orthodox church based in the Eastern Mediterranean, with members spread throughout the world. The Syriac Orthodox Church claims to derive its origin from one of the first Christian communities, established in Antioch by the Apostle St....
, Knight Grand Cross, - The Rt Rev and Rt Hon Lord Carey of Clifton, former Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, Knight Grand Cross,
- His Eminence Archbishop Gregorios of Thyateira and Great Britain Head of the Greek Orthodox Church in Great Britain, Knight Grand Cross,
- His Grace The Duke of WestminsterDuke of WestminsterThe title Duke of Westminster was created by Queen Victoria in 1874 and bestowed upon Hugh Grosvenor, 3rd Marquess of Westminster. The current holder of the title is Gerald Grosvenor, 6th Duke of Westminster....
, Knight Grand Cross, - His Grace The Most Rev and Rt Hon Dr Rowan WilliamsRowan WilliamsRowan Douglas Williams FRSL, FBA, FLSW is an Anglican bishop, poet and theologian. He is the 104th and current Archbishop of Canterbury, Metropolitan of the Province of Canterbury and Primate of All England, offices he has held since early 2003.Williams was previously Bishop of Monmouth and...
, Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, Knight Grand Cross, - The Rt Hon Baroness Thatcher, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Dame Grand Cross,
Knight or Dame Commander
- The Rt Hon Lord Alderdice of Knock, former Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Knight Commander,
- Sir Gavyn Arthur, former Lord Mayor of the City of London, Knight Commander,
- HE Mr Anthony Bailey, Delegate of the Constantinian Order, Knight Commander,
- Professor John BurlandJohn BurlandJohn Boscawen Burland CBE, DSc, FREng, FRS is an Emeritus Professor and Senior Research Investigator at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of Imperial College London.-Early education:...
, Emeritus Professor of Soil Mechanics, Imperial College, London, Knight Commander, - Sir Desmond Lorenz de SilvaDesmond Lorenz de SilvaSir Desmond Lorenz de Silva, QC, KStJ, is a prominent British lawyer, and former United Nations Chief War Crimes Prosecutor in Sierra Leone.-Family background:...
, former United Nations Chief Prosecutor, Knight Commander, - Sir David DurieDavid DurieSir David Robert Campbell Durie KCMG is a retired British civil servant, whose last major public appointment was as Governor of Gibraltar.-Career:...
, formerly Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Gibraltar, Knight Commander, - Professor Nasser David KhaliliNasser David KhaliliNasser David Khalili, KCSS, KCFO is a British-Iranian property developer, art collector and philanthropist based in London. He holds [United Kingdom] citizenship....
, Knight Commander, - The Rt Hon Lord Lamont of Lerwick, Knight Commander,
- Sir Michael SmurfitMichael SmurfitSir Michael Smurfit, KBE , is a businessman holding Irish citizenship. In the 2010 Irish Independent Rich List, he was listed at 25th, with a €368 million personal fortune.-Early life:...
, Knight Commander, - The Lord LingfieldRobert Balchin, Baron LingfieldRobert Balchin, Lord Lingfield is a British educationalist, noted as an advocate for school autonomy. Lord Lingfield serves as Pro-Chancellor of Brunel University and Chairman of the Trustees of ARNI. He is also the Chairman of the League of Mercy and a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London. He...
, Knight Commander, Knight Principal of the Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor, - The Lord Brennan of BiburyDaniel Brennan, Baron BrennanDaniel Joseph Brennan, Baron Brennan, KCSG, QC is a life peer and barrister.Brennan was educated at St. Bede's Grammar School, Bradford, and graduated with a Bachelor of Law degree from Manchester University, where subsequently he was awarded an honorary Doctorate in 2000...
, Knight Commander, Delegate Emeritus for Great Britain and Ireland of the Constantinian Order,
Ranks
The Order is now divided into three Ranks (the modern revival has allowed the award to ladies):- Knight Grand Cross with sash ribbon and star
- Dame Grand Cross, with ribbon with bow edged in gold and covered with fleurs-de-lisFleur-de-lisThe fleur-de-lis or fleur-de-lys is a stylized lily or iris that is used as a decorative design or symbol. It may be "at one and the same time, political, dynastic, artistic, emblematic, and symbolic", especially in heraldry...
- Knight Commander, with cross on neck ribbon
- Dame Commander with ribbon with bow edged in gold and cross;
- Knight First Class, with ribbon and cross;
- Dame First Class with ribbon with bow and cross.
| Knight | Commander | Knight Grand Cross |
External links
- Official Site - Royal House of Bourbon Two Sicilies with HRH Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro, as Grand Master
- Royal Order of Francis I - Grand Magistral Delegate of Inter-Religious Relations
- Royal Order of Francis I at twosicilies.org
- Decree of Foundation of the Order
See also
- Order of Saint Januarius
- Order of Saint George and ReunionOrder of Saint George and ReunionThe Order of Saint George and Reunion is a order of knighthood of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.It was created on 1 January 1819 by Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies to reward military valor and merit...
- Order of Saint Ferdinand and of Merit
- Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint GeorgeSacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint GeorgeThe Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George is a Roman Catholic order of chivalry. It was fictively established by Constantine the Great, though in reality it was founded between 1520 and 1545 by two brothers of the Angeli Comneni family. Members of the Angeli Comneni family remained...