The Royal Commission for Germany of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George  held its very first investiture on German soil on 2 May 2026.  The Grand Master of the Constantinian Order, HRH Prince Pedro of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duke of Calabria, presided at the investiture, assisted by the President of the Order’s Royal Commission for Germany, HSH Prince Emanuel of Salm and Salm-Salm, Duke of Hoogstraeten, Knight Grand Cross of Justice.

The solemn High Mass was celebrated at the Parish Church of St. Pancras in Anholt.  The celebrant was the Reverend Professor Dr. Stefan Samerski.  Father Samerski is a chaplain of the Order.  

The President of the Royal Commission for Germany, HSH Prince Emanuel of Salm and Salm-Salm, placed Anholt Castle at the Order’s disposal for the event.  The Order’s flag flew from the top of the castle, and a reception was held there following the investiture Mass.

Among those admitted as knights and dames of the Order on this occasion were:

    • HRH the Margrave of Baden
    • HRH the Hereditary Prince of Baden
    • HRH Duchess Elisabeth in Bavaria
    • HSH the Princess of Salm and Salm-Salm
    • HSH Prince Franziskus of Salm and Salm-Salm
    • HSH Prince Leon of Salm and Salm-Salm
    • TSH the Prince and Princess of Isenburg-Birstein
    • TSH Prince and Princess Marc-Emmanuel de Croÿ
    • TSH the Hereditary Prince and Princess of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg
    • HSH the Hereditary Prince of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn
    • HSH Princess Maria Christine of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Nottebohm
    • T.Il.H. the Hereditary Count and Countess of Toerring-Jettenbach
    • Countess Stefanie von und zu Arco-Zinneberg
    • Don Guy delle Piane
    • Donna Xenia delle Piane
    • Michael Boland, Esq.

The investiture underscored the spiritual character of the ancient Order, which is devoted to the protection and defence of the Catholic faith, as well as to charitable and cultural endeavours.

In his address, HRH the Grand Master emphasised the responsibility of the Order’s members to unite faith, service to one’s neighbour, and civic engagement.  He described this first-ever investiture in Germany as an important symbol of the Order’s international presence.

A musical highlight of the liturgy was the performance of the “Missa brevis No. V in C major, Opus XXXIII” (1782) by Johann Anton Kobrich.  The musical programme was rendered by the Parish Choir of St. Pancras under the direction of Mr. Sven Joosten, the Isselburg Wind Orchestra under the direction of Mr Nils Saatkamp, Mr. Martin Boland at the organ, and a chamber orchestra under the direction of Priska Strümpfel.  The soloists were Mrs. Stephanie Reiker and Mrs. Heike Plitt.

 

 

 

PHOTOGRAPH BELOW:  HRH the Grand Master at Castle Anholt, with the Order’s banner in the background

 

 

PHOTOGRAPH BELOW:  H.E. Ambassador Don Juan Sunye, a member of the Royal Deputation of the Constantinian Order, with his spouse, Doña Begonia Terry de Sunye.

 

PHOTOGRAPH BELOW:  H.E. Guy Stair Sainty, Vice Grand Chancellor of the Constantinian Order (far left), and HSH Princess Marie-Christine of Sayn-Wittgenstein (next to Mr. Sainty), with marksmen

 

 

PHOTOGRAPH BELOW:  Baron Gulf Gordian von Hauser, Treasurer of the Order of the Golden Fleece and long a member of the Constantinian Order

 

 

PHOTOGRAPH BELOW:  Alexander de Vos van Steenwijk, Knight of the Teutonic Order (Bailiwick of Utrecht) chatting with HRH the Grand Master

 

 

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