Committee of Privileges of the Maltese Nobility
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The Committee of Privileges of the Maltese Nobility is an association for deciding succession, new titles, and general issues concerning the recognised titles of nobility of Malta. The committee was formed in 1882. The titles were originally granted between 1350 and 1796 by diverse European monarchs, or by the Grand Masters of the Knights of Malta. A British Colonial Royal Commission decided which of these titles were to be accepted, and on its conclusion, 32 titles of Count, Marquis, and Baron were acknowledged by the British Government for usage in Malta and the British Empire.
When Malta became a republic in 1974, the Committee went into abeyance; but it was revived nearly a decade afterwards. The titles are still retained socially, but have no legal significance, particularly as many of the bearers of the titles live outside Malta, typically in other Commonwealth countries or the United States. The Committee secures succession and heritage of the titles. See also Maltese Nobility for a listing of titles and history.
[edit] Presidents of the Committee (Incomplete List)
- 1882-1885: Sir Giorgio Serfino Ciantar-Paleologo, became the first President of the Committee of Privileges of the Maltese Nobility
- 1885-1886: Barone Calcedonio Azopardi Zamit,
- 1886-1887: Sir Giorgio Serfino Ciantar-Paleologo,
- 1887-1888: Marchese Giuseppe Lorenzo de Piro,
- 1888-1889: Lord Strickland, who was also Count of Catena
- 1889-1911: Unknown at this stage.
- 1911-1912: Count Edward Sant Fournier,
- 1912-1913: Marquis Paolo Nicolo Apap Bologna,
- 1913-1955: Unknown at this stage.
- 1955-1965: Sir Luigi Preziosi Kt.Bach., 8th Count Preziosi
- 1974-1984: Abeyance due to becoming Republic, then revived in 1984.
- 1984-1988: Francis Sant-Cassia, Count Sant and Baron of Ghariexem e Tabia
- 1988-2000: Unknown at this stage.
- 2000-2001: The Baron of San Marciano, K.M.
- 2002- Present: The Baron of Djar il-Bniet and Buqana
