The Order of the Crown of Italy ( it, Ordine della Corona d'Italia, italic=no or OCI) was founded as a national order in 1868 by King

Vittorio Emanuele II en, Victor Emmanuel Maria Albert Eugene Ferdinand Thomas , house = Savoy , father = Charles Albert of Sardinia , mother = Maria Theresa of Austria , religion = Roman Catholicism , image_size = 252px , succession ...

, to commemorate the unification of Italy in 1861. It was awarded in five degrees for civilian and military merit. Today the Order of the Crown has been replaced by the Order of Merit of Savoy and is still conferred on new knights by the current head of the house of Vittorio Emanuele, Prince of Naples. Compared with the older Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus (1572), the Order of the Crown of Italy was awarded more liberally and could be conferred on non-Catholics as well; eventually, it became a requirement for a person to have already received the Order of the Crown of Italy in at least the same degree before receiving the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus. The order has been suppressed by law since the foundation of the Republic in 1946. However,

Umberto II en, Albert Nicholas Thomas John Maria of Savoy , house = Savoy , father = Victor Emmanuel III of Italy , mother = Princess Elena of Montenegro , birth_date = , birth_place = Racconigi, Piedmont, Kingdom of Italy , de ...

did not abdicate his position as '' fons honorum'' and it remained under his Grand Mastership as a dynastic order. While the continued use of those decorations conferred prior to 1951 is permitted in Italy, the crowns on the ribbons issued before 1946 must be substituted for as many five pointed stars on military uniforms.

Grades

The various degrees of the order, with corresponding ribbons, were as follows:

Insignia

*The badge of the order was a gilt cross with curved edges, enamelled in white, with the so-called Savoy knots between the arms of the cross. The obverse central disc featured the Iron Crown of Lombardy (as appeared on the Austrian

Order of the Iron Crown The Order of the Iron Crown ( it, link=no, Ordine della Corona Ferrea) was an order of merit that was established on 5 June 1805 in the Kingdom of Italy by Napoleon Bonaparte under his title of Napoleon I, King of Italy. The order took its name ...

) on a blue enamel background. The reverse central disc had a black-enamelled eagle bearing the Savoy cross on a golden background. *The star of the Grand Cross was an eight-pointed faceted silver star; the central disc featured the Iron Crown on a blue enamelled background, surrounded by a white enamel ring bearing the inscription VICT. EMMAN. II REX ITALIAE MDCCCLXVI (Victor Emmanuel II, King of Italy, 1866). There was a black-enamelled eagle bearing the Savoy cross above the star. *The star of the Grand Officer was an eight-pointed faceted silver star with ball tips at each point and with the obverse of the badge superimposed upon it. *The ribbon of the order was red-white-red.

Members

Members of the order have included: * Isaac Artom (1829–1900), Italian writer diplomat, and politician * Harry Woodburn Blaylock (1878–1928), Canadian lawyer and businessman *

Aaron Bradshaw Jr. Aaron Bradshaw Jr. CBE (July 1, 1894 – November 8, 1976) was a highly decorated officer in the United States Army with the rank of major general. A graduate of the United States Military Academy, he is most noted as Anti-Aircraft Artillery ...

(1894–1976),

United States Army The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, ...

;

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...

, commanded Anti-Aircraft troops of

U.S. Fifth Army The United States Army North (ARNORTH) is a formation of the United States Army. An Army Service Component Command (ASCC) subordinate to United States Northern Command (NORTHCOM), ARNORTH is the joint force land component of NORTHCOM.

* John Buchan (1875–1940), Scottish novelist and diplomat * Vice Admiral

Felice Napoleone Canevaro Felice Napoleone Canevaro (7 July 1838 – 30 December 1926) was an Italian admiral and politician and a senator of the Kingdom of Italy. He served as both Minister of the Navy and Minister of Foreign Affairs and was a recipient of the Order of S ...

(1838–1926), Italian admiral and diplomat *

Major-general (United Kingdom) Major general (Maj Gen) is a "two-star" rank in the British Army and Royal Marines. The rank was also briefly used by the Royal Air Force for a year and a half, from its creation to August 1919. In the British Army, a major general is the cus ...

Walter Clutterbuck Major-General Walter Edmond Clutterbuck (17 November 1894 – 2 February 1987) was a British Army officer who fought during both the First and Second World Wars. Early life and military career Born in Chippenham, Wiltshire, England, on 17 Novem ...

(1894–1987),

British Army The British Army is the principal land warfare force of the United Kingdom, a part of the British Armed Forces along with the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. , the British Army comprises 79,380 regular full-time personnel, 4,090 Gurkha ...

;

* Adolf von Deines (1845–1911), Prussian diplomat and

General of the Cavalry General of the Cavalry (german: General der Kavallerie) was a General officer rank in the cavalry in various states of which the modern states of German and Austria are successors or in other armies which used the German model. Artillery officers ...

* Arthur Conan Doyle (1859–1930), Scottish statesman and Sherlock Holmes author * Cmdr Sir Thomas Fisher RN, English Naval Officer, Managing Director of Canadian Pacific Steamship Company *

James Whitelaw Hamilton James Whitelaw Hamilton (1860–1932) RSA, RSW was a Scottish artist, member of the Glasgow School (the ''Glasgow Boys''), of the Royal Scottish Academy (RSA) and of the New English Art Club. Career Hamilton was born in Glasgow, where he studie ...

(1860–1932), Scottish artist, member of the Royal Scottish Academy *

William Ernest Powell Giles William Ernest Powell Giles (20 July 1835 – 13 November 1897), best known as Ernest Giles, was an Australian explorer who led five major expeditions to parts of South Australia and Western Australia. Early life Ernest Giles was born in Bri ...

(1835–1897), Australian explorer, gambler, not always strictly sober. * Thomas Hanbury (1832–1907), English philanthropist and creator of the

Giardini Botanici Hanbury The Giardini Botanici Hanbury, also known as Villa Hanbury, are major botanical gardens operated by the University of Genoa. They are located at Corso Montecarlo 43, Mortola Inferiore, several km west of Ventimiglia, Italy. History The ga ...

* Major General James Murray Robert Harrison DSO, CB (1880–1957), Royal Artillery, British Army in recognition of services on Italian-Austrian frontier WW1 * Vice Admiral Jules James (1885–1957) Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Mediterranean at the close of WW II, decorated by the last King of Italy,

during his 34-day reign. *Rear Admiral Katō Hiroharu (Grand Officer in 1920), Imperial Japanese Navy *

Major General Major general (abbreviated MG, maj. gen. and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. The disappearance of the "sergeant" in the title explains the apparent confusion of ...

Clayton P. Kerr Clayton P. Kerr (August 16, 1900 – August 13, 1977) was a major general in the United States Army. A longtime member of the Texas Army National Guard, he was prominent for his service as deputy commander of the Allied Military Mission to the I ...

(1900–1977),

general,

member of the Allied Mission to the

Italian Army "The safeguard of the republic shall be the supreme law" , colors = , colors_labels = , march = ''Parata d'Eroi'' ("Heroes's parade") by Francesco Pellegrino, ''4 Maggio'' (May 4) ...

* Edward King, Viscount Kingsborough, in recognition of his work in researching and compiling his 'Antiquities of Mexico'. *Major General

Robert A. McClure Robert Alexis McClure (March 4, 1897 – January 1, 1957) was an American general and psychological warfare specialist, who is considered as a Father of U.S. Army Special Warfare. Biography Born in Mattoon, Illinois, he graduated from the ...

(1897–1957), father of U.S. Army

Special Operations Special operations (S.O.) are military activities conducted, according to NATO, by "specially designated, organized, selected, trained, and equipped forces using unconventional techniques and modes of employment". Special operations may include ...

, Director of Information and Media Control at

Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF; ) was the headquarters of the Commander of Allied forces in north west Europe, from late 1943 until the end of World War II. U.S. General Dwight D. Eisenhower was the commander in SHAEF ...

(SHAEF) during World War II *

Brigadier General Brigadier general or Brigade general is a military rank used in many countries. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries. The rank is usually above a colonel, and below a major general or divisional general. When appointe ...

Billy Mitchell (1879–1936),

air power advocate *

Cesare Nava Cesare Nava (1861–1933) was an Italian engineer and politician who served as the minister of national economy between 1924 and 1925 in the cabinet of Benito Mussolini. Early life and education Nava was born in Milan on 7 October 1861 to Leo ...

(1861–1933), Italian politician * Charles Poletti (1903–2002), American lawyer and politician, Governor of New York, and

colonel Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge ...

in the United States Army; served in Italy during World War II *

John Rylands John Rylands (7 February 1801 – 11 December 1888) was an English entrepreneur and philanthropist. He was the owner of the largest textile manufacturing concern in the United Kingdom, and Manchester's first multi-millionaire. After having le ...

(1801–1888), English entrepreneur and philanthropist *

Alfred T. Smith Alfred T. Smith (November 25, 1874 – November 27, 1939) was a career officer in the United States Army. A veteran of the Spanish–American War, Philippine–American War, and World War I, he attained the rank of brigadier general and was most ...

(1874–1939), U.S. Army brigadier general *

Alexander William Stewart Alexander William Stewart (1865-1933) was a Scottish naval architect, engineer, and inventor of international distinction. He was the eldest of three brothers in Glasgow who revolutionised heating, cooling and ventilation in shipping accommoda ...

(1868–1933), a naval architect, engineer and inventor * Rear Admiral

Yates Stirling, Jr. Yates Stirling Jr. (April 30, 1872 – January 27, 1948) was a decorated and controversial rear admiral in the United States Navy whose 44-year career spanned from several years before the Spanish–American War to the mid-1930s. He was awarded ...

(1872–1948),

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...

sea power advocate * Rear Admiral

Ellery W. Stone Ellery Wheeler Stone CBE (January 14, 1894 – September 18, 1981) was a prominent figure in the history of radio, serving both in government and corporations during the first half of the twentieth century and decorated Rear admiral in the United ...

(1894–1981),

Radio pioneer *

William Verbeck William Verbeck (January 18, 1861 - August 24, 1930) was a Dutch–American educator and soldier. He served as head of the Manlius Pebble Hill School#The Manlius School, St. John's Military Academy in New York. He also served as Adjutant General ...

Giacomo Vuxani Giacomo Vuxani ( Arbanasi, July 20, 1886 – Trieste, April 7, 1964) was an Italian politician and patriot born in the Arbanasi village of Borgo Erizzo (now Arbanasi), a suburb of Zadar. After attending classical grammar school, he enrolled in th ...

(1886–1964), Italian politician and patriot *

George H. Weems George Hatton Weems (September 27, 1891 - February 25, 1957) was a highly decorated officer in the United States Army with the rank of Brigadier General. A graduate of the United States Military Academy, he was decorated with Distinguished Serv ...

;

Arthur R. Wilson Major General Arthur Riehl Wilson CBE (July 18, 1894 – August 11, 1956) was a highly decorated United States Army officer who served during World War I and World War II. He wrote an account of U.S. Army operations in North Africa titled ''R ...

(1894–1956),

;

, commanded Coastal Base Section in

Naples Naples (; it, Napoli ; nap, Napule ), from grc, Νεάπολις, Neápolis, lit=new city. is the regional capital of Campania and the third-largest city of Italy, after Rome and Milan, with a population of 909,048 within the city's adm ...

Order of Merit of Savoy

The Order of Merit of Savoy (OMS) is a

Dynastic order A dynastic order, monarchical order, or house order is an order under royal patronage. Such an order is bestowed by, as a legitimate , a sovereign or the head of a once-sovereign ruling family. These are often considered part of the cultural p ...

knight A knight is a person granted an honorary title of knighthood by a head of state (including the Pope) or representative for service to the monarch, the Christian denomination, church or the country, especially in a military capacity. Knighthood ...

hood given out by the head of the Royal House of Savoy,

Order of chivalry An order of chivalry, order of knighthood, chivalric order, or equestrian order is an order of knights, typically founded during or inspired by the original Catholic military orders of the Crusades ( 1099–1291) and paired with medieval concept ...

. Following the demise of the last reigning monarch Umberto II of Italy in 1983, the Order of the Crown of Italy was replaced in 1988 by the Order of Merit of Savoy which was instituted by his heir, the current head of the former Royal House, Vittorio Emanuele, Prince of Naples. While the ''Ordine al merito d'Savoia'' has never been a national order, it is subsidiary to the

Civil Order of Savoy The Civil Order of Savoy was founded as an order of knighthood in 1831 by the King of Sardinia, Charles Albert, Duke of Savoy. It is now replaced by the Order of Merit of Savoy.The intention was to reward those virtues not belonging to the exist ...

which was the Order of Merit and it has around 2,000 members and, as with the Order of the Crown of Italy previously, it is entrusted to the Chancellor of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus. Knight grand cross, order of merit

Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit

Civil Order of Savoy

The Civil Order of Savoy was founded as an order of knighthood in 1831 by the King of Sardinia, Charles Albert, Duke of Savoy. The intention was to reward those virtues not belonging to the existing Military Order of Savoy, founded by Vittorio Emanuele I in 1815. The order has one degree, that of Knight (''Cavalieri dell'Ordine civile di Savoia''), and is limited to 70 members. Admission is in the personal gift of the head of the House of Savoy

The Order of the Crown of Italy

( Italian: Ordine della Corona d'Italia) was founded as a national order in 1868 by King

, to commemorate the unification of Italy in 1861. It was awarded in five degrees for civilian and military merit.Compared with the older Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus (1572), the Order of the Crown of Italy was awarded more liberally and could be conferred on non-Catholics as well; eventually, it became a requirement for a person to have already received the Order of the Crown of Italy in at least the same degree before receiving the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus.The order has been suppressed by law since the foundation of the Republic in 1946. However,

did not abdicate his position as '' fons honorum''and it remained under his Grand Mastership as a dynastic order. While the continued use of those decorations conferred prior to 1951 is permitted in Italy, the crowns on the ribbons issued before 1946 must be substituted for as many five pointed stars on military uniforms.

Ranks and grades

The Order of Merit of Savoy is divided like Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus into the following ranks: - ''Knights of Grand Cross,'' no more than one hundred (100); - ''Dames of Grand Cross'', no more than one hundred (100); - ''Grand Officers'', no more than one hundred and fifty (150); - ''Commanders'', who may be no more than three hundred (300); Divisa

- ''Dames Commander'', no more than three hundred (300); - ''Knight Officers'', of an unspecified number; - ''Knights,'' an unspecified number; - ''Dames'', an unspecified number.

Non-order merit awards

- Gold cross Knights' uniform and Church robes

- Silver cross

Dress and Robes

The Order decoration is a white-enamelled, full gold cross, loaded by a blue-enamelled, white shield, with the letters “V.E.” on one side and this inscription on the other: “To the Merit of Savoy 1988”. The blue silk ribbon with a great white pole, a turquoise cloth mantle, adjusted at the ruff by four cords with white and blue silk tassels and with the cross of the Order embroidered on the left side, in various sizes depending on rank.

Grand Masters of the order

Vittorio Emanuele, Prince of Naples,

Duke of Savoy The titles of count, then of duke of Savoy are titles of nobility attached to the historical territory of Savoy. Since its creation, in the 11th century, the county was held by the House of Savoy. The County of Savoy was elevated to a duchy at ...

The council

The council is responsible for running the order, the order focuses mainly on charitable acts. * Chairman:

Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy, Prince of Venice Emanuele Filiberto Umberto Reza Ciro René Maria di Savoia (born 22 June 1972)''Genealogisches Handbuch des Adels, Fürstliche Häuser'' XIV. "Haus Italien". C.A. Starke Verlag, 1997, pp. 33, 38–39. .Willis, Daniel, ''The Descendants of Louis ...

* Vice Chairman: Antonio d’Amelio * Grand Chancellor: Theo Niederhauser * Grand Treasurer: Nicolas Gagnebin * Grand Prior: Monsignor Paolo de Nicolò * Grand Master of Ceremonies:

Prof Professor (commonly abbreviated as Prof.) is an academic rank at universities and other post-secondary education and research institutions in most countries. Literally, ''professor'' derives from Latin as a "person who professes". Professo ...

. Alberto Bochicchio * HSH Mariano Hugo Windisch Graetz * HSH Prince Don Alessandro Jacopo Boncompagni Ludovisi Altemps *

Duke Duke is a male title either of a monarch ruling over a duchy, or of a member of royalty, or nobility. As rulers, dukes are ranked below emperors, kings, grand princes, grand dukes, and sovereign princes. As royalty or nobility, they are r ...

Giancarlo Melzi d’Eril dei Duchi di Lodi *

Count Count (feminine: countess) is a historical title of nobility in certain European countries, varying in relative status, generally of middling rank in the hierarchy of nobility. Pine, L. G. ''Titles: How the King Became His Majesty''. New York ...

Carlo Buffa dei Conti di Perrero – Honorary Member

The Junta

The Junta is responsible for voting in new

Knight A knight is a person granted an honorary title of knighthood by a head of state (including the Pope) or representative for service to the monarch, the Christian denomination, church or the country, especially in a military capacity. Knighthood ...

or Dame to the dynastic order on behalf of the grand master, Vittorio Emanuele, Prince of Naples. There are always five members of the Junta to ensure that there is never an equal count in votes for and against a new possible new

or Dame. * HSH Don Alessandro Jacopo Boncompagni Ludovisi Altemps – President * Marquess Paolo Thaon di Revel Vandini – Secretary *

Baron Baron is a rank of nobility or title of honour, often hereditary, in various European countries, either current or historical. The female equivalent is baroness. Typically, the title denotes an aristocrat who ranks higher than a lord or kn ...

Enrico Sanjust dei Baroni di Teulada * Gualtiero Ventura * Federico Pizzi

Additional information

According to

International Commission for Orders of Chivalry The International Commission for Orders of Chivalry (ICOC; Italian: ''Commissione internazionale permanente per lo studio degli ordini cavallereschi'') is a privately run, privately funded organisation composed of scholars on chivalric matters a ...

the Order of Merit is also known as the Merit of Savoy Under their section: chivalric institutions founded by the head of a formerly reigning dynasty, the Order has been defined as the following since their 2016 register: ITALY House of Savoy (Catholic) Merit of Savoy Founded: H.R.H. Crown Prince Vittorio Emanuele of Savoy, Prince of Piedmont and Prince of Naples 23 January 1988. Ribbon: Blue with a broad white centre stripe. Grand Master: H.R.H. Crown Prince Vittorio Emanuele of Savoy, Prince of Piedmont and Prince of Naples (Vittorio Emanuele IV, Titular King of Italy) (b. 1937).

Recipients (amongst others)

As of the year 2000 there are/were 1453 recipients of the Order of Merit. *

Grand Cross Grand Cross is the highest class in many orders, and manifested in its insignia. Exceptionally, the highest class may be referred to as Grand Cordon or equivalent. In other cases, there may exist a rank even higher than Grand Cross, e.g. Grand ...

* Clotilde Courau, Princess of Venice *

Princess Vittoria of Savoy Princess Vittoria Cristina Adelaide Chiara Maria di Savoia (born 28 December 2003) is a member of the House of Savoy. She is first-born child of Emanuele Filiberto, Prince of Venice and Piedmont and Clotilde Courau. Early life and family Prince ...

, ''Princess of Carignano'' Marchioness of Ivrea *

Princess Luisa of Savoy Emanuele Filiberto Umberto Reza Ciro René Maria di Savoia (born 22 June 1972)''Genealogisches Handbuch des Adels, Fürstliche Häuser'' XIV. "Haus Italien". C.A. Starke Verlag, 1997, pp. 33, 38–39. .Willis, Daniel, ''The Descendants of Louis ...

Marina Doria Marina Ricolfi-Doria (born 12 February 1935) is a Swiss former water skier. She competed three times at the Water Ski World Championships winning gold medals in 1955 and in 1957. She won the overall title in the European Water Ski Championships co ...

, Princess of Naples and Duchess of Savoy *

Princess Maria Pia of Bourbon-Parma Princess Maria Pia of Bourbon-Parma (born Princess Maria Pia of Savoy; 24 September 1934) is the eldest daughter of Umberto II of Italy and Marie-José of Belgium. She is the older sister of Princess Maria Gabriella of Savoy, Vittorio Emanuele, ...

Princess Maria Gabriella of Savoy Princess Maria Gabriella of Savoy (Maria Gabriella Giuseppa Aldegonda Adelaide Ludovica Felicita Gennara; born 24 February 1940) is the middle daughter of Italy's last king, Umberto II, and Marie José of Belgium, the "May Queen". She is a his ...

* Princess Maria Beatrice of Savoy * Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia * Prince Michael of Yugoslavia * Prince Sergius of Yugoslavia * Princess Helen of Yugoslavia *

Nicholas, Crown Prince of Montenegro Nicholas, Prince of Montenegro (Serbian Cyrillic: Никола Петровић-Његош; born 7 July 1944) is a French-born architect and the Head of the House of Petrović-Njegoš, which reigned over Montenegro from 1696 to 1766 and again from ...

* Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro * Mariano Hugo, Prince of Windisch-Graetz

* Prince Don Alessandro Jacopo Boncompagni Ludovisi Altemps

* Marquess Paolo Thaon di Revel Vandini

Enrico Sanjust dei Baroni di Teulada

. Alberto Bochicchio

Carlo Buffa dei Conti di Perrero

Giuseppe Rizzani

* Rudy Giuliani

Giovanni Cheli Giovanni Cheli (4 October 1918 – 8 February 2013) was an Italian prelate of the Catholic Church, who had a career in the diplomatic service of the Holy See and then in the senior ranks of the Roman Curia. He was made a cardinal in 1998. Early ...

* Duke Giancarlo

Melzi d'Eril Francesco Melzi d'Eril, Duke of Lodi, Count of Magenta (6 March 1753 – 16 January 1816) was an Italian politician and patriot, serving as vice-president of the Napoleonic Italian Republic (1802–1805). He was a consistent supporter of the Ita ...

Andrea Boezio Bertinotti Alliata * Andrea Rivoira

* Antonio d’Amelio

* Franca Sciaraffia Dame

* Nicolas Gagnebin

* Theo Niederhauser

* Monsignor Paolo de Nicolò

* Alberto Di Maria * Dame Zina Losapio * Alessandro Santini *

Gino Lupini Gino Lupini is a retired South African-Italian professional rugby union player who played in the top domestic Italian league Top10 and for Italy Sevens in 10 competitions, making 43 match appearances. Early life He was born in Cape Town, ...

* Marco Bocchio * Alberico Guerzoni * Alberto Coluccia * Simone Balestrini *