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Grand Master of the Dynastic Orders of the Royal House of Savoy
His Royal Highness Prince Emanuele Filiberto, Duke of Savoy, Prince of Piedmont and Prince of Venice The Grand Master is the Supreme Chief of the Dynastic Orders. He governs and administers the Orders, assisted by the Great Offices (Grand Chancellor, Grand Treasurer, Grand Prior, Grand Master of Ceremonies), the Council and the Junta. The office of Grand Master coincides with that of Head of the Royal House of Savoy, so is held for life. The provisions of the Grand Master are final and without appeal and He alone may revoke them. |
Grand Chancellor
His Excellence Cav. SS. Annunziata Theo Niederhauser
The Grand Chancellor directs and regulates the activities of the Grand Chancellery and its Secretariat, countersigns the Grand Magisterium Deeds, handles the diplomatic relations of the ODRCS, legally represents the Orders and looks after and defends their public image and interests.
His Excellence Cav. SS. Annunziata Theo Niederhauser
The Grand Chancellor directs and regulates the activities of the Grand Chancellery and its Secretariat, countersigns the Grand Magisterium Deeds, handles the diplomatic relations of the ODRCS, legally represents the Orders and looks after and defends their public image and interests.
The Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus belongs in the category of hereditary dynastic orders bestowed by a legitimate successor of a Royal House, recognized as such by the Holy See, the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and reigning European Royal Houses.
The insignia of the Order consists of a white enamel cross of the Order of Saint Maurice superimposed on the emerald green cross of the Order of Saint Lazarus.
The Order of Ss. Maurice and Lazarus is divided into 5 classes and 1 collar:
Knight/Dame Grand Collar
Knight/Dame Grand Cross
Knight/Dame Grand Officer
Knight/Dame Commander
Knight/Dame Officer
Knight/Dame
Demonstrating their support of the work of the Orders, but who are too young to qualify for admission, the honour of being named a Devotee of Merit is sometimes conferred by the Grand Master. A Devotee of Merit is not a member of an Order. Recipients usually aspire to eventual admission to the Orders as they continue to demonstrate their devotion to the charitable and humanitarian works of the Orders and reach the appropriate age for admission. The medal bears the cross of the Order in relief, without enamel. On the reverse side, the words “Bene Merenti” (Good Works) are inscribed.
The insignia of the Order of Merit of Savoy is a simple Greek Cross enameled white, bearing a round centre medallion enameled in light blue, displaying on the obverse the monogram “V.E.” for Victor Emmanuel. On the reverse of the medallion is the motto AL MERITO DI SAVOIA 1988 (Merit of Savoy 1988). The cross is suspended from a ribbon of three equal stripes of blue, white and blue.
The Order of Merit of Savoy is divided into 5 classes:
Knight/Dame Grand Cross
Knight/Dame Grand Officer
Knight/Dame Commander
Knight/Dame Officer
Knight/Dame
Knight/Dame Grand Cross
Knight/Dame Grand Officer
Knight/Dame Commander
Knight/Dame Officer
Knight/Dame
Similar to the Devotee of Merit of the Order of Sts. Maurice and Lazarus, the Order of Merit of Savoy also has a medal that can be awarded to both individuals and institutions who do not qualify for investiture into the Order. The Medal of Merit of Savoy is comprised of a gold, silver, and bronze cross.
Membership in the Orders