The Grand Priory of Malta held its Investiture ceremony between the 28th and the 30th April 2017. In attendance were their Imperial and Royal Highnesses, the Royal Protector and Prince Grandmaster Sandor Habsburg Lothringen and Princess Herta Marguerite
On the morning of Friday, April 28th, Their Royal Highnesses, Members of the Council of the Grand Priory of Malta, the Grand Chancellor HE Chev Roger Cotton and the Prince Grand Master’s Aid de Camp, HE Chev Malcolm Hitchman, together with Knights and Dames of the Order visited Guardian Angel Resource Centre where they met the staff and students who attend this school. At the end of the visit gifts were exchanged and a donation of €1000 was made to the Centre.
On Friday evening, HE Chev Roger Cotton, HE Chev Malcolm Hitchman and HE Chev Mark Agius, Grand Prior of Malta met with the Postulants, to discuss their forthcoming Investiture. A reception was then held in the Executive Lounge of The Palace Hotel.
On Saturday morning, the Solemn Investiture was held at the Castello Dei Baroni, the International Headquarters of the Order. This was held under the auspices of His Imperial and Royal Highness Prince Sandor and other high-ranking Officers of the Order, most of who had travelled to Malta for this very special occasion. During the investiture, Chev. Mark Agius was officially appointed Grand Prior of Malta. In turn, he assigned the position of Deputy Grand Prior of Malta to Dame Carmen Bellamy. Music during the service was provided by sopranos Karen Gatt Darmenia and Anita Vella Bondin, accompanied by pianist Rowena Vella. The new Knights who were invested into the Order were:
Chev Antonio Lo Baido Chev Antonio Castellano Chev Alessandro Montaperto Chev Roussi Petrov Rouse Chev Earl John Bellamy Chev Maurizio Mamo Chev Antonella Bugeja Conti
A Fraternal embrace was exchanged.
The new Serving Brothers are Dott Walter Martinelli Mr Simon Attard Mr Alex Caruana
A portrait of His Royal Highness was unveiled during the post investiture reception.
That afternoon Her Royal Highness Princess Herta Marguerite unveiled a Flame of Peace memorial in St Margarita Gardens in Cospicua. This was organised by the Cospicua Local Council. A generous donation of €1000 was made by the Order towards this project.
A Gala Evening followed to celebrate the day’s events at The Palace Hotel in Sliema. During this Gala event, His Imperial Royal Highness bestowed upon Chev. Joseph D Buttigieg the promotion to Commander of the Order as well as a Certificate of Merit for his ‘dedication and outstanding charitable service.’ A certificate of merit was also awarded to
Chev Joseph Psaila.
On Sunday morning, the Knights and Dames together with guests attended a High Mass at St John’s Co Cathedral in Valletta, after which they toured the vestry and a donation was made towards the embellishment of the Cathedral. To end the celebrations of this Investiture, a visit to the Monastery of the Cloistered Gerosolimitan Nuns of St Ursula was made. Whilst there, the group visited the shrine containing the skull of The Blessed Gerald, the founder of the Order of St. John. Tea, coffee and biscuits were served by the Nuns and a donation of €500 was made by HE the Grand Prior Chev. Mark Agius