The Illustrious Royal Order of St Januarius, the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George and the Royal Order of Francis I are ancient and internationally recognised dynastic Orders of Knighthood. The Constantinian Order is actively involved in the defence and promotion of the Roman Catholic religion, and together with the multi-faith Royal Order of Francis I, undertakes spiritual, humanitarian, hospitaller and charitable initiatives across Great Britain and its dependant territories, Ireland and the world.
His Royal Highness Prince Charles of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro, is the 54th and current Grand Master of the Order and Head of the Royal House of Bourbon Two Sicilies. The Grand Master is supported by a Royal Deputation within the Order’s Grand Magistry in Rome. The Grand Prior of the Constantinian Order is His Eminence Renato Raffaele, Cardinal Martino, who is also Cardinal Protodeacon of Holy Roman Catholic Church and President Emeritus of the Pontifical Council of Justice and Peace. His Eminence Albert, Cardinal Vanhoye, is the Ecclesiastical Counsellor and Grand Prior Emeritus to the Royal House.
The Prior of the British and Irish Delegation is His Eminence Vincent, Cardinal Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster who succeeded His Eminence Cormac, Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor, Archbishop emeritius of Westminster, on his passing in 2017.
The Order’s Chief Chaplain in Ireland is The Most Reverend Dr Raymond Field, Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin who succeeded His Eminence Desmond, Cardinal Connell, Archbishop Emeritus of Dublin on his passing in 2017.
The Sub-Prior of the Delegation is His Grace The Most Reverend George Stack, Archbishop of Cardiff.
The Acting Delegate of the British and Irish Delegation since 1 January 2021 is Anthony Bailey, OBE, who also served for many years as Magistral Delegate for Inter-Religious Relations of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George and Secretary General of the Royal Order of Francis I. The Delegate is supported by several national Vice-Delegates, including Vice-Delegate for Ireland HE Mr John Bruton, Vice-Delegate for Great Britain The Rt Hon Lord Murphy of Torfaen and the Vice Delegate for Gibraltar the Hon Sir Peter Caruana KCMG, QC.
As part of this international network, the Delegation, which recently celebrated its 220th anniversary, supports and participates in many charitable, humanitarian and inter-faith initiatives across the British Isles.
The Order of St Januarius, the Constantinian Order and the Royal Order of Francis I are internationally recognised Orders of Knighthood, pertaining to the Royal House of Bourbon Two Sicilies, which the Italian Republic, together with many other governments and dynasties across the world, fully recognises by Presidential or other decrees.
The Constantinian Order also maintains Consultative Status of the Economic and Social Council at the United Nations in New York, Geneva and Vienna. Today knights and dames of the three Orders can be found across the globe and especially so throughout Italy, the rest of Europe, North and South America as well as in Asia.
Headquartered within the Grand Magistry in Rome and Naples, the Illustrious Royal Order of St Januarius, the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George and the Royal Order of Francis I, whilst deeply rooted in the past, are actively engaged in the challenges of modern society and fully prepared for what the future may hold.