The Illustrious Royal Order of Saint Januarius (Italian: Insigne Reale Ordine di San Gennaro) is a Roman Catholicorder of knighthood founded by Charles VII of Naples in 1738. It was the last great dynastic order to be constituted as a chivalric fraternity, with a limitation to Roman Catholics and a direct attachment to the dynasty rather than the state. The founder of the order, Charles VII of Naples, ruled from 1734 until 1759.
The grand magistery of the order is disputed among claimants to the headship of the formerly reigning House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies.
Structure of the order
Originally, the order had four principal officers, whose duties were to administer its affairs:
Chancellor
Secretary
Treasurer
Master of Ceremonies
A reform of 17 August 1827, limited these duties to certain ceremonial roles at the installation of knights, and no successors were appointed to the then-holders of these offices.
The order today
Decoration with collar (left) and with sash and star (right)Diego de Madariaga, 2nd Marquess of Villa-Fuerte wearing the mantle and insignia of the order
Since 1960, the order has been awarded sparingly and total membership has not exceeded eighty, most of the knights being members of royal houses, senior officers of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George, or Italian grandees.
Members
As of 2016[update], the knights appointed by Prince Pedro, Duke of Calabria, his father and grandfather, were:
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