Gibraltar – April 2003. The Duke of Calabria, Grand Prefect, His Eminence Mario Francesco, Cardinal Pompedda, Grand Prior, and Mr Anthony Bailey, Delegate, paid an Official Visit to Gibraltar from 22-24 April 2003 at the invitation of the dependant territory’s Chief Minister, the Hon Peter R Caruana, QC.
During the visit, the Duke of Calabria, officially launched a set of three postage stamps, approved by HM Queen Elizabeth II, issued by Gibraltar to mark the 1700th anniversary of the martyrdom of Saint George. The 40p stamp features the cross of the Constantinian Order. Gibraltar is the only United Kingdom Overseas Territory to mark this important anniversary.
The Duke of Calabria, Cardinal Pompedda and Anthony Bailey also paid a courtesy call on Her Majesty’s Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Gibraltar, His Excellency Sir David Durie, KCMG, and Lady Durie at their official residence, the Convent.
A mass was later held at St Joseph’s Church in Gibraltar and con-celebrated by His Eminence Cardinal Pompedda, Grand Prior of the Constantinian Order and a long standing member of the Constantinian Order.
Following mass, the Duke of Calabria unveiled a commemorative plaque below the stained glass window of St George depicted on the £1.20 stamp. Many national dignitaries attended including the Chief Minister and Mrs Peter Caruana, the Minister for Public Services, the Environment, Sport and Youth and Mrs Ernest Britto, together with Constantinian knights Anthony Lombard and Peter Jennings.
A number of official dinners and a tour of the territory were included in the visit, which was widely reported, in the Gibraltarian and British media.
“The Official Visit to Gibraltar by the Grand Prefect and Grand Prior was a great success and I should like to pay tribute to the Chief Minister and his Government, as well as to the Gibraltar Philatelic Bureau for all their efforts in ensuring that the 1700th anniversary of the martyrdom of Saint George important anniversary was duly marked in such an creative way.
The first known Constantinian Order knight from Gibraltar was Sir Emanuel Viale, who received his award in 1811. I am delighted that this historic relationship with the territory has once again been enhanced with the investiture of the Chief Minister and the Bishop. They join our other two Constantinian knights in Gibraltar, Monsignor Grima and Anthony Lombard, who together played such an instrumental role in this visit”. Anthony Bailey, Delegate said.