On the occasion of the celebration in 2016 of the 300th anniversary of the birth of Carlos III of Bourbon, King of Spain, Grand Master of the Constantinian Order, the Delegation of Catalonia of the Constantinian Order commissioned a commemorative plaque that was placed in the Military Parish Church of Barcelona and was unveiled by HRH the Duke of Calabria, the current Grand Master.

The plaque recalls the two visits the monarch made to the chapel of the Citadel, the first in 1731, on his way through the city en route to Italy, where the then very young prince had to assume the heritage of the House of Farnese on becoming reigning Duke of Parma; and the second in 1759, when he arrived in the city and became King of Spain. In this way, Barcelona was one of the first Spanish cities to receive the first Grand Master of the Constantinian Order from the House of Bourbon, and the first to receive him as Grand Master Emeritus in 1759, the Monarch having decided that the city was the place where his Spanish reign would commence.

At the entrance to the chapel, HRH was attended by the Rev. Manuel Lara Molina, Chief of the Religious Assistance Service of the Third General Sub-Inspectorate of the Army, Pastor of the Military Church of the Citadel and Chaplain of the Constantinian Order, who offered him holy water.

Next HRH received the greetings of the Chief of the Third General Sub-Inspectorate of the Army, H.E. General D. Jesús Llorente y Vicente and of the Delegate of the Constantinian Order in Catalonia and Vice-President of the Royal Commission for Spain, H.E. D. Francesc-Xavier Montesa.

The ceremony was also attended by a group of knights of the Order, among whom were two who on Saturday would enter the Order at the ceremony held at the Cathedral of Barcelona: the Most Ils. and Rvd. D. Luis Enrique Martínez Galera, Chaplain; and the Most Ils. D. Rafael Marcos y Pardo, Knight.

After the Secretary General of the Royal Commission for Spain read the text of the official proclamation, HRH unveiled the plaque, which was then blessed by Don Manuel Lara. Next the officials present signed the proclamation. Before leaving the chapel, HRH the Grand Master asked those present to pray for the Constantinian Order and also for Spain in the difficult situation arising from the political instability in Catalonia.

Text of the plaque:

HM Don Charles III of Bourbon, King of Spain visited this chapel,

during his two stays in the city of Barcelona.

In 1731 as Infant of Spain, Duke of Parma and Piacenza and

Grand Master of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George;

in 1759 on becoming King of Spain, as this City

was where he chose to open his reign.

On the occasion of the 300th anniversary of his birth in 2016,

this commemorative plaque was unveiled by HRH Don Pedro of Bourbon-Two

Sicilies, Duke of Calabria, Count of Caserta, Head of the Royal House of the Two

Sicilies, Grand Master of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint

George and of the Illustrious Royal Order of Saint Januarius.

Barcelona, September 30, 2017.