Much like the Sacred Military Constantinian Order, a separate Order of Knighthood was established and recognised by decree on 28 September 1829 as a Royal Order principally to reward civil merit on the part of government, diplomats, military officials and clerics, in addition to those who had made achievements in commerce, the sciences, arts, letters and literature. The Royal Order of Francis I has never been exclusively Roman Catholic in origin and its knights and dames need not profess the Roman Catholic Faith, although they are expected to participate in the humanitarian and charitable activities of the dynastic orders of the Royal House of Bourbon Two Sicilies.
Today membership of this Order includes senior figures from all Christian denominations, as well as Muslims and Jews.