His Excellency Ambassador Señor Gilbert Chauny de Porturas-Hoyle, KM, KGOCO, passes away
Lima – February 2021. The Delegation of Great Britain and Ireland of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George notes with much sadness the passing on 8 February 2021, aged 76, of His Excellency Señor Gilbert Chauny de Porturas-Hoyle.
Ambassador Chauny held the rank of Knight Grand Officer of Merit of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George by decree of HRH Prince Ferdinand of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro. He was invested at a ceremony held at Westminster Cathedral in London in November 2001 presided over by the then Grand Prefect and current Grand Master, HRH Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro.
Ambassador Chauny was born in Lima on 8 March 1944 into a Franco-Peruvian family. He graduated in architecture from the National University of Engineering and a year later from the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru. Subsequently, he studied at the Diplomatic Academy of Peru which resulted in a lifelong global diplomatic career. Following posts in both Latin and North America, His Excellency undertook some of his most senior postings in Europe serving as Ambassador of Peru to Austria, Slovakia, Slovenia and Turkey from 1995 to 2000, Ambassador to the Court of St James’s and to Ireland (2000-2001), Ambassador to Hungary, Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina (2005-2007), Ambassador to The Netherlands (2007-2008) and as his final overseas posting as Ambassador to Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Iceland from (2008-2010).
Ambassador Chauny also held senior positions within his own foreign ministry including as head of ceremonial and state protocol and as director general of special missions. He also served as the Republic of Peru’s representative to many international organisations including the International Maritime Organisation in London (1989-1993, & 2000-2001), President of the National Commission for Antarctic Affairs in Lima (1993-1995), and to the United Nations in Vienna (1995-2000).
In recognition of his services His Excellency was highly decorated at home and abroad. Among them were his admission by order of HE The President of the Republic of Peru to the rank and dignity of Grand Cross of the Order of Merit for Distinguished Services (Peru), the Commander Grand Cross of the Order of Polar Star (Sweden), Gold Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Austria (Austria), Grand Cross of the Order of the Condor of the Andes (Bolivia), Commander of the Order of Bogotá (Colombia), Officer of the Order of San Carlos (Colombia), Officer’s Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic (Spain), Knight of Magistral Grace and the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit Melitensi (Sovereign Military Order of Malta).
Gilbert was a practising Roman Catholic and very active in the life of the Church. He also served for a number of years as President of the Peruvian Association of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. Gilbert is survived by his wife Carmen (Pollo), and his three children – Gilbert, Bertrand and daughter Josseline who resides in London.
Requiescat in pace. Descansa en paz. Rest in peace. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam. Riposare in pace.