British Activities & Events

		Princess Michael of Kent attends Royal Gala Charity Dinner
		London Investiture November
		Promotion within the Sacred Military Constantinian Order
		Duke of Calabria honours the Duchess of Norfolk
		Archbishop of Westminster Invested into Order
		The Golden Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
		Duke & Duchess of Calabria visit The Passage homeless centre
		New portrait of the British and Irish Sub-Prior
		Duke & Duchess of Calabria call on TRH Prince & Princess Michael of Kent
		Charitable Donation to The Passage Homeless Charity

Princess Michael of Kent joins the Duke and Duchess of Calabria at the Order's 2002 Royal Gala Dinner. London - November 2002.

The British and Irish Delegation hosted a Royal Gala Dinner in aid of The Passage Homeless Centre, at Home House, London W1 in honour of Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Calabria.

The principal Guest of Honour was Her Royal Highness Princess Michael of Kent (far left). Over 100 knights and dames and their guests attended, including senior representatives of other churches and faiths, parliamentarians and diplomats.

"The British and Irish delegation was truly delighted and honoured that Princess Michael of Kent agreed to attend our charitable gala dinner held during the Golden Jubilee year of Queen Elizabeth II. Her Royal Highness, who was invested as a Dame Grand Cross of Justice of the Constantinian Order in April 1996, has shown by her presence, her continued support and encouragement for the work the Order undertakes throughout Great Britain and Ireland and across the world". British and Irish Delegate, Anthony Bailey said.

The Chancery subsequently received a letter from Kensington Palace in which the Princess's Lady-in-Waiting stated “On behalf of Her Royal Highness Princess Michael of Kent, I would like to thank you for inviting Her to your Royal Gala Dinner. I would like to assure you that Princess Michael greatly enjoyed the dinner you gave in the presence of the Duke and Duchess of Calabria. Her Royal Highness was pleased that so much money been raised by the Delegation for the charitable activities you support. I am sure that Princess Michael will do everything she can to help these efforts in the future and especially in your important celebratory year - 2003”.

Among those attending were Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Calabria, Her Royal Highness Princess Michael of Kent, GCJCO, The Hon Mrs Rowena Sanders, His Excellency The Rt. Hon. Lord Belhaven and Stenton, KJCO, The Lady Belhaven and Stenton, Mr Anthony Bailey, KHS, KCMCO, KCFO, The Rt Hon Lord Alton of Liverpool, KCMCO, The Lady Alton of Liverpool, The Rt Hon Lord Brennan, KCMCO, QC, The Lady Brennan, The Rt Hon Lord Denman, CBE, MC, TD, KCFO, Mr and Mrs Nadhmi Auchi, Mrs Teodora Chamberlain, Miss Anna Barlow, His Excellency Mr M. Joseph McDonnell, KM, KGCHS, KGCO, Sir Sigmund Sternberg, KCSG, KFO, JP, Lady Sternberg, DOSS, Nicolas De Santis, Esq., Timothy Vincent, Esq., Le Comte Michel de Liedekerke, KM, La Comtesse Michel de Liedekerke, The Reverend Father Michael Seed, KGCO, SA, The Reverend Vincent G Brady, KGCO, The Reverend Canon Jonathan Gough, Count Paolo Filo della Torre, Senhora Maria Joao Rodrigues de Arauja, James Hart-Dyke, Esq., KMCO, Miss Branimira Nacheva, Kevin Grant, Esq., KMCO, Mrs Mildred Rowell, Richard Model Esq., KCMCO, Mrs Ann Willis, DMCO, Dr Peter Bander van Duren, KCSG, FCCR, GCCO, Leslie Hayward, Esq., KMCO, Santo Volpe, Esq., KMCO, Mrs Santo Volpe, DMCO, Norman Gooding, Esq., KFO, Dr Jean Gooding, Mrs Elizabeth Grafstein, DFO, Herr Udo Krause, Frau Udo Krause, Senhor José Castelo Branco, Senhora Dolores Fernandez, M. Richard de Bruce, Senhor Eduardo de Mota, Senhor and Senhora Jorge Teodoro dos Santos, Donal A. Downes, Esq, KSG, KC*HS, KMCO, Mrs Donal Downes, DCHS, DMCO, Dr Aideen Keaney, Don Cristoforo Rocco di Torrepadula, KJCO, Dr Massimo Carello, KCFO, Signora Massimo Carello, DFO, Peter Jennings, Esq., KMCO, Rory More O'Ferrall, Esq., KM, KJCO, D'Arcy Myers, Esq., Luke Pender-Cudlip, Esq., Brian Melia, Esq., KMCO, John McGrath, Esq., Gerard Lawler, Esq., KCHS, KMCO, Dr Harold Elletson, KFO, Miss Kym Erlich, Joseph O'Connor, Esq., DM, KHS, KOCO, John Turley, Esq., KHS, KMCO, Timothy George, Esq., KMCO, Baroness Alexandra de Koranyi, Mr and Mrs John Sweetman, John King, Esq., KMCO, Sister Ellen Flynn, DMCO, Peter Macklin, Esq., Mrs Peter Macklin, Peter Sheppard, Esq., Keith Day, Esq., Sister Sarah King-Turner, Professor Richard Conroy, KCHS, KMCO, Mrs Richard Conroy, DHS, Mrs Maureen Jones, DHS, Dr Sorca Conroy, Kieran Smith, Esq., Ghassan Nasr, Esq., Ms Geri Schweider, Paul Horner, Esq., Iyad Quttaineh, Esq., Miss Catherine Perry, Miss Penny Ewing and Dr Colin Smythe, KCGCO.

The Duke of Calabria, as Grand Prefect, presided over the investiture of new knights and dames into the Sacred Military Constantinian Order and the Royal Order of Francis I. London - November 2002.

The Duke of Calabria, as Grand Prefect, presided over the 2002 investiture ceremony of new knights and dames(left) at the Pro-Cathedral Church of Our Lady of Victories in Kensington, London W8. HE The Lord Belhaven and Stenton, Delegate, and Mr Anthony Bailey, Delegate of Great Britain and Ireland were among the 150 people who attended.Mass was con-celebrated by the Rt Rev Vittorino Aldinucci, Abbot of Benedictine Monastery & Parish Christ the King in London, and the former delegation Prior, the Rt Rev Mgr Adrian Arrowsmith.

"I am truly delighted that this year we have witnessed the investiture of a number of very prominent individuals who have in their own public or private way contributed to the core ideals of our ancient Order of Knighthood, namely the promotion of Roman Catholic Faith, interfaith and inter-church activities, as well as those who continue to play major roles in humanitarian and hospitaller projects," Lord Belhaven and Stenton, Delegate said.

Former President of the British Association of the Order of Malta promoted within the Sacred Military Constantinian Order. London – November 2002.

Captain Peregrine Bertie(left), recently retired President of the British Association of the Order of Malta was promoted within the Constantinian Order to the rank and dignity of Knight Grand Cross of Justice. The Duke of Calabria invested Captain Bertie, who first joined the Constantinian Order in 1986, at a ceremony at Claridge's Hotel in the presence of Delegation officials.

Duke of Calabria honours the Duchess of Norfolk with the Constantinian Order in recognition of her service to the St Thomas Fund.London - November 2002.

The Duchess of Norfolk(left) was invested into the Sacred Military Constantinian Order as a Dame of Justice in recognition of her charitable work for the St Thomas Fund – a leading British charity supporting the homeless, which the Delegation has adopted.

Her Grace is President of the fund and active in many Roman Catholic related charities and organisations. The Duke of Norfolk, Earl Marshal of England, attended the investiture, which was held in the presence of the Duchess of Calabria, delegate, Lord Belhaven and Stenton, Delegate, Anthony Bailey, Chaplain, Fr Vincent Brady and delegation member, Captain Peregrine Bertie.

Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster invested into the Order and appointed Delegation Prior. London - June 2002.

The Duke of Calabria, as Grand Prefect, invested His Eminence Cormac, Cardinal Murphy O'Connor into the Order as a Bailiff Knight Grand Cross of Justice in a ceremony at Archbishop's House, London. The Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster (left) was also appointed as the Prior of the British and Irish Delegation.











During the ceremony, which was attended by the Duchess of Calabria, His Grace The Most Reverend and Right Honourable The Archbishop of Canterbury(below), church and Delegation officials, His Royal Highness remarked "It is truly an honour for me on behalf of my Father, our Grand Master, to invest you into our Order. By doing so, Your Eminence joins the many others who devote themselves to the promotion of our Faith and carry out the all important charitable and humanitarian works that are the hallmark of our brotherhood. I am delighted also that through Your Eminence accepting to become the Prior of the British and Irish delegation, you will offer our knights and dames your spiritual guidance in the important work they undertake here".

Duke of Calabria, as Grand Prefect, and Bishop George Stack were guests of honour at a charity reception to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. London – June 2002.

The Duke of Calabria, as Grand Prefect, together with the Duchess of Calabria and The Rt Rev George Stack, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster and Sub-Prior of the British and Irish delegation, were guests of honour at a reception to mark the Golden Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Over 120 people attended the reception, which was held at the London home of the British and Irish Vice-Delegate, Anthony Bailey (above).

These included the Delegate, Lord Belhaven and Stenton, Council Member, His Excellency Signor Luigi Amaduzzi, Ambassador of the Italian Republic(far right) to the Court of St James’s, the Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Minister-Counsellors of Malta, Swaziland, Morocco, Nepal, Andorra, Belgium, Lesotho, Portugal and Ireland.

Among the many knights and dames of the Constantinian Order and the Royal Order of Francis I were Captain Peregrine Bertie(left), former President of the British Association of the Order of Malta, Mr John Tamplin, Dr Daniel McCarthy, Mr and Mrs Santo Volpe and Dr Peter Bander-van Duren attended.

The reception raised funds for the delegation’s adopted charities.

Duke and Duchess of Calabria visit The Passage homeless centre in London’s Victoria. London – June 2002.

The Duke and Duchess of Calabria paid a visit to The Passage Homeless Centre - one of the adopted charities of our Delegation (left). During Their Royal Highnesses visit they met with Sister Ellen Flynn, Director, and many members of her team.

The Duke and Duchess(below) also took the opportunity to tour the impressive facilities of the centre, which was founded by the late Cardinal Hume, Archbishop of Westminster. This included visits to the kitchens, clothing centre and waiting areas where Their Royal Highnesses met with numerous volunteers helping out and clients benefiting from this much needed support centre.

The Duchess of Calabria remarked ‘It is truly impressive what Sister Ellen and her team are doing here to assist the homeless of London. I am particularly pleased that the British and Irish delegation is supporting The Passage as one of its adopted charities’.

Duke of Calabria unveils new portrait of the British and Irish Sub-Prior at a reception at Archbishop’s House in Westminster. London – June 2002.

The Duke of Calabria, as Grand Prefect, unveiled an official portrait of The Right Reverend George Stack, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster and Sub-Prior of the British and Irish delegation(left).

Over 250 people attended the ceremony including leading Parliamentarians, church and religious leaders, Mrs Cherie Blair, wife of the British Prime Minister (above right) and the Lord Mayor of the City of Westminster, Councillor Frances Blois, Archbishop Gregorios of Thyateira and Great Britain (Greek Orthodox) and Sheikh Dr Zaki Batawi of the Muslim College. The Constantinian Order Delegate in Great Britain and Ireland, Lord Belhaven and Stenton, and Vice-Delegate, Anthony Bailey(above right) were also present.

During the ceremony the Archbishop of Canterbury unveiled the new portrait of the Prior of the British and Irish delegation, His Eminence Cormac, Cardinal Murphy O’Connor, Archbishop of Westminster (above left).

Duke and Duchess of Calabria call on TRH Prince and Princess Michael of Kent. London – June 2002.

The Duke and Duchess of Calabria called on Prince and Princess Michael of Kent at Kensington Palace and remained for lunch. Their Royal Highnesses discussed the Constantinian Order's launch of new charitable initiatives in Great Britain and Ireland as well as internationally.

Charitable donation presented at Bulgarian Ambassador's Residence: London - February 2002.

The delegation's adopted charity, The Passage Homeless Centre, which was founded by the late Basil, Cardinal Hume, has become Britain's leading charity offering support and shelter to the homeless.

As a result of our initial fundraising initiatives our first fundraising cheque was presented to Sister Ellen Flynn(right), Director of The Passage during a reception and buffet dinner held at the Bulgarian Ambassador's Residence in London. Over thirty knights and dames of the dynastic orders including our Delegate, HE The Lord Belhaven and Stenton, Delegate, Anthony Bailey and our Prior, the Rt Rev George Stack, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster, attended.

In a letter to the Chancery, Sister Ellen wrote: "Thank you very much for the Constantinian Order's donation for which I am most grateful. Please pass on these thanks to the Knights and Dames in your delegation. I thoroughly enjoyed the reception at the Bulgarian Ambassador's Residence and particularly meeting again some of those who supported November's 'a night under the stars' concert. The Passage is indebted to your organisation: we appreciate your friendship. Wishing you every blessing..."