Order of Saint George and Reunion
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The Order of Saint George and Reunion is a order of knighthood of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.
It was created on 1 January 1819 by Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies to reward military valor and merit. It received its name to celebrate the reunification of the dominions located namely (Naples and Sicily) into one kingdom after the Congress of Vienna.
The Order is divided into eight Ranks:
- Knights of Grand Cross with neck ribbon, cross and plate;
- Grand Officers, with neck ribbon, cross without St. George and plate with smaller sunburst decoration; *Commanders with neck ribbon and cross;
- Officers, with ribbon, small tassel and cross at buttons;
- Knights of Law, with ribbon and cross and buttons; *Knights of Mercy, with ribbon and cross at buttons; *Golden medal;
- Silver medal.
The decoration is formed by: ruby enameled lilied cross with in the middle a white enameled round plate bearing the image of a mounted St. George running the dragon through with his sword, bordered by a circle of blue enamel with the inscription "IN HOC SIGNO VINCES" and a laurel wreath.
The decoration of the Knights of Grand Cross has a golden image of St. George hanging down from the lower arm of the cross; the Royal Crown tops it.
The dynastic dispute going on within the House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies means the position of Grand Master is disputed between Infante Carlos, Duke of Calabria and Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro.