Monte Carlo, June 2014. His Excellency Mr Anthony Bailey delivered a welcome address on the occasion of the investiture of The Most Reverend Desmond Tutu, Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town, into the Royal Order of Francis I at a ceremony presided over by HRH Prince Charles of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro, held at the Automobile Club of Monaco.
Archbishop Desmond was presented with the insignia of a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Francis I and the Gold Benemerenti Medal of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George. HRH Princess Camilla of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duchess of Castro also attended the event. Mr Anthony Bailey was present in his capacity of Grand Magistral Delegate for Inter-Relgious Relations of the Constantinian Order.
Archbishop Tutu has for many years been a true social rights activist and a voice for the oppressed around the world. Many countries including the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy have honoured him. Archbishop Tutu received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984. He has also received the Gandhi Peace Prize in 2007 and the US Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009. In 2013 His Grace received the Templeton Prize “for his life-long work in advancing spiritual principles such as love and forgiveness”.
Among those attending the ceremony were His Grace The Most Rev Mgr Bernard Barsi, Archbishop of Monaco, the General Vicar René Giuliano, HE Mr Michel Roger, Minister of State and Head of Government of Monaco, Mr Philippe Narmino, Director of the Monaco Judicial Services, HE Mr Hughes More, Ambassador of France to Monaco, HE Mr Peter Murphy, Ambassador of the Order of Malta in Monaco as well as several other ministers of the Principality and representatives of the Catholic Church of Monaco.
HE Mr Anthony Bailey emphasised during his speech the extraordinary achievements of Archbishop Tutu all around the world and more specifically his active role towards the defence of human rights, social justice, and his tireless fight against racism, homophobia, poverty and AIDS. Mr Bailey also referred to the warm relations between the Constantinian Order and the worldwide Anglican Communion and the Order’s longstanding engagement in inter-religious and charitable endeavour and the desire to further the Order’s activities in South Africa and southern Africa.
To view photos from the Ceremony please visit our Photo Gallery.
To read Mr Bailey’s speech please click here.
For more information on Desmond Tutu click here.
For more information on the Royal Order of Francis I click here.
For more information on the Constantinian Order click here.
