Royal Order of Francis I

The Breast Star of the Order

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.

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 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.

Recent Recipients

Knight or Dame Grand Cross

• HRH Princess Camilla, Duchess of Castro, Dame Grand Cross,
• HRH Princess Benedikte of Denmark, Dame Grand Cross,
• HRH Princess Elena of Romania, Dame Grand Cross,
• His Eminence Archbishop Mor Athanasius Touma Dawod, Archbishop of UK, Syriac Orthodox Church, 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 Westminster, Knight Grand Cross,
• His Grace The Most Rev and Rt Hon Dr Rowan Williams, 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 Burland, Emeritus Professor of Soil Mechanics, Imperial College, London, Knight Commander,
• Sir Desmond Lorenz de Silva, former United Nations Chief Prosecutor, Knight Commander,
• Sir David Durie, formerly Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Gibraltar, Knight Commander,
• Professor Nasser David Khalili, Knight Commander,
• The Rt Hon Lord Lamont of Lerwick, Knight Commander,
• Sir Michael Smurfit, Knight Commander,
• The Lord Lingfield, Knight Commander, Knight Principal of the Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor,
• The Lord Brennan of Bibury, 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-lis

• 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.

100px Knight	100px Commander	100px 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 Reunion
• Order of Saint Ferdinand and of Merit
• Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George