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 Carlo of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro presided.
The Order’s Grand Magistral Delegate for Inter-Religious Relations and Delegate for Great Britain and Ireland, HE Mr Anthony Bailey, OBE, GCSS, delivered an opening speech outlining the reasons for the awards.
“The Order has had a long relationship with Panama, dating back a good number of years to the formal exchange of honours which took place in Rome in 2003 between the Republic of Panama and the Constantinian Order and which saw one of your predecessors, Mireya Moscoso invested into the Order.”
“Panama is at the pivotal point of the Americas between north-central and south America, and looking out to the world. “
“His Excellency’s government has attracted major foreign investment into Panama, while seeking at the same time to tackle poverty in all its forms; he has a long and distinguished career in business; he is married, with three children. We want to pay special tribute, Señor Presidente, to the work of the Ricardo Martinelli Foundation, which you founded and offers grants to Panamanians of scarce means and help children and young people of ability to get the qualifications they deserve, often in spite of the obstacles of poverty or disability which they may face.”
“We look forward to working with Panama and your Foundation in the future and to develop more closely some worthy charitable, humanitarian and inter-religious programmes which link the peoples of Panama, Italy and the United Kingdom.”
“It is therefore my great pleasure to invite Your Excellency to stand and receive the insignia of Knight Grand Cross with Gold Star of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George.”
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 is 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.”
The ceremony was attended by over 250 leading state, faith, diplomatic, and parliamentary figures from across the world.
A Guard of Honour by the Company of Pikemen and Musketeers of the Honourable Artillery Company, Body Guards to the Rt Hon the Lord Mayor of the city of London were on parade by permission of the Captain Commanding.
To watch the speech, click here.