Washington DC – October 2002. The Grand Prefect of the dynastic orders of the Royal House of Bourbon Two Sicilies, His Royal Highness The Duke of Calabria paid a three-day visit to the USA from 17-20 October 2002 as the guest of the Order’s United States Delegation.
During the visit The Duke of Calabria undertook a number of engagements including a charity gala dinner attended by delegation knights and dames at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Centre in the American capital.
The Duke of Calabria also visited St Patrick’s Church – the oldest parish church in Washington DC which was founded in 1794 for use by the workmen building the White House and the Capitol. His Royal Highness, together with the Prior of the United States delegation, His Eminence Theodore, Cardinal McCarrick, Archbishop of Washington, presided over the 2002 investiture ceremony. Among the knights and dames invested or promoted were the Archbishop of Milwaukee, the Archbishop of Newark, the Chief Military Chaplain to the United States Armed Forces, Archbishop Edwin O’Brien and His Eminence, James, Cardinal Stafford, President of the Papal Council for Laymen.
HE Mr David Garrison, Delegate of the Constantinian Order in the United States, was also awarded the Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Francis I by order of the Grand Master, HRH The Duke of Castro.