Celebrating the Leadership of HRH Prince Emanuele Filiberto as the Duke of Savoy and Grand Master of the Dynastic Orders of the Royal House of Savoy
Happy Birthday Your Royal Highness Prince Emanuele Filiberto! Today we celebrate the rich legacy of the House of Savoy, committed to duty and with a bright future that honors the glorious past!
Today, 22 June, marks a significant milestone as His Royal Highness Prince Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy celebrates his 52nd birthday!
His Royal Highness Prince Emanuele Filiberto, Prince of Piedmont and Prince of Venice is the 27th Duke of Savoy, the 29th Grand Master of the Supreme Order of the Santissima Annunziata, the 18th Grand Master of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus and the 7th Grand Master of the Order Civil of Savoy.
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At the beginning of June, the Royal House of Savoy released the first official photo portrait as the Duke of Savoy and Grand Master of the Dynastic Orders of the Royal House of Savoy.
In this photo portrait, his Royal Highness wears the insignia of the Grand Master of the Supreme Order of the Santissima Annunziata, the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus, the Order of Merit of Savoy along with the Knight of the Grand Cross of Honor and Devotion of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.
His Royal Highness Prince Emanuele Filiberto also wears the insignia of the Council of Senators of the Kingdom.
With the passing of the late titular king of Italy Vittorio Emanuele at the beginning of February, His Royal Highness Prince Emanuele Filiberto has assumed the headship of the illustrious House of Savoy.
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Guiding a Rich Heritage into the Future
The House of Savoy, one of Europe’s oldest royal families, has a lineage that stretches back to the 10th century. Prince Emanuele Filiberto's leadership is expected to bring a modern approach to the family's traditions, focusing on cultural preservation and charitable endeavors. His assumption of the headship marks a new era for the House of Savoy, promising to blend historical reverence with contemporary relevance.
The Supreme Order of the Most Holy Annunciation
In recognition of HRH Prince Emanuele Filiberto’s new leadership, it is fitting to highlight the Supreme Order of the Most Holy Annunciation (Ordine Supremo della Santissima Annunziata) as the highest and most prestigious dynastic order of the House of Savoy.
Foundation and Evolution of the Order
The Annuziata, as it is famously referred to, was established in 1362 by Amadeo VI, Count of Savoy, on the occasion of Sister Bianca's wedding to Galeazzo II Visconti, with the original name of the Order of the Collar.
The goal of the Order of the Collar was to "encourage brotherhood among the powerful to avoid private wars" and the Order was reserved exclusively for the most prominent and loyal nobles. All members were considered equal and were called brothers.
The original insignia consisted of a gold necklace with the inscription "FERT" surrounded by a ring of three "Savoy knots". The inscription FERT, most probably refers to Fortitudo Eius Rhodum Tenuit marking the victory of Amadeus V, Count of Savoy (1249-1323), who fought against the Saracens at the Siege of Rhodes in 1315.
Under the leadership of Amedeo VI, the Milites Collaris Sabaudiae had a numerus clasus of 14 members and with a 15th member, the Grand Master, it symbolically paid homage to the fifteen joys of the Virgin Mary.
Amadeus VIII of Savoy issued the first Statute in 1429 and a description of the insignia, alternating Savoy knots with the inscription "FERT" and 15 roses on the necklace, in memory of the Golden Rose sent by Pope Urban V to Count Amadeus VI in 1364.
The name of the Order was changed to the Supreme Order of the Most Holy Annunciation in 1518 by Duke Charles III, in honor of the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary, an event celebrated by the Catholic Church. He also modernized the Statutes and increased the number of knights to 20.
The collar's design represents the unity and strength of the order's members, while the roses symbolize the Virgin Mary, to whom the order is dedicated.
Structure, Membership Modern Role of the Order
Membership in the Supreme Order of the Most Holy Annunciation is highly exclusive. Traditionally, it was reserved for the highest nobility and individuals who demonstrated exceptional loyalty and service to the House of Savoy. Vittorio Emanuele II allowed entry into the Order even without a noble background, provided they had rendered extraordinary service to the state or the dynasty.
The Supreme Order of the Most Holy Annunciation holds a significant place in the ceremonial and protocol of the House of Savoy. Members of the order are entitled to various privileges and honors, including the right to wear the order's insignia during official functions and ceremonies. The order also plays a central role in the dynastic events of the Savoy family, such as royal weddings, funerals, and other state occasions.
Despite the abolition of the monarchy in Italy in 1946, The Supreme Order of the Most Holy Annunciation remains the highest honor of the Royal House of Savoy, which guarantees its members ceremonial and protocol privileges that were in force during the Kingdom.
Today, it also symbolizes the family's historical legacy and commitment to charitable and cultural endeavors. The order supports various humanitarian initiatives and maintains its traditions through annual gatherings and ceremonies.
Bestowal of The Annunziata to HRH Princess Vittoria of Savoy
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During the holy liturgy, celebrating the conclusion of the General Chapter of the Dynastic Orders of the Royal House of Savoy, on 8 October 2023, at the Saint Maurice Abbey in Aguanum, Switzerland, His Excellency Johannes Niederhauser, Chancellor of all Dynastic Orders of the Royal House of Savoy, announced the awarding of The Annunziata HRH Princess Vittoria of Savoy, Princess of Carignano and Marquees d’Ivrea with the following words:
"Dear brothers and sisters, at the conclusion of the General Chapter of the Dynastic Orders of the Royal House of Savoy, HRH Prince Vittorio Emanuele, Duke of Savoy, Prince of Naples, Grand Master of the Supreme Order of the Holy Annunciation has asked me, in my capacity as Chancellor of the Supreme Order of the Holy Annunciation, to which I belong, to inform you of the following.
By magisterial decree, HRH and the Grand Master, and after the previous decree abolishing the Salic Law, predicted that from now on women would also be accepted into the Order.
On this joyful anniversary, which follows the day after the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, a feast that is so dear to the House of Savoy and to all of Christianity, HRH Prince Vittorio Emanuele, head of the royal house, Grand Master of the Supreme Order of the Holy Annunciation, invited HRH Vittoria of Savoy, the Princess of Carignano to join the College of Ladies and Knights, so that one day she would assume all the dynastic responsibilities of the House of Savoy.
I ask you to pray for Princess Vittoria, for the welfare of the Supreme Order of the Holy Annunciation, and for HRH Prince Vittorio Emanuel of Savoy, our beloved Grand Master."
With this act of bestowal of The Annunziata, all conditions were created for the bright future of the illustrious Royal House of Savoy!
Happy Birthday Your Royal Highness Prince Emanuele Filiberto!
On this special day, we celebrate Prince Emanuele Filiberto’s personal milestones and the rich legacy of the House of Savoy. The family’s commitment to service, culture, and unity continues to shine brightly, promising a future that honors the past while embracing new opportunities.
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As HRH Prince Emanuele Filiberto takes on the leadership role, we look forward to the ways he will continue to honor and expand the traditions of the House of Savoy. His leadership promises to merge respect for history with a forward-looking vision, ensuring that the values and heritage of the Savoy family remain globally inspiring and relevant.