Prince François d’Orléans invests his sister-in-law Naomi into the order of Saint Lazare in Monaco

Princess Naomi of Orléans was invested as a Lady Grand Cross of the Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem, during a ceremony presided over by her brother-in-law, Prince François d’Orléans, in Monaco. The ladies and knights of the order of Saint Lazare were gathered on the Rock, around their 51st grand master, on the occasion of the annual Governmental Council.

Read also: The nobility waltzes at the Ball of the Order of Saint Lazare supported by the Princes of Orléans in Namur

Princess Naomi of Orléans invested as Lady Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Lazare

The Order of Saint Lazarus and its national leaders met in Monaco this weekend. Prince François d’Orléans, Count of Dreux, invested grand master of the order of Saint Lazare a year ago, headed the annual Governmental Council, which is the body ensuring the representation of national jurisdictions. In addition to the meetings of representatives of the Jurisdictions, another great moment took place at Monaco Cathedral: the investiture of Princess Naomi of Orléans.

In September 2023, Prince François d’Orléans, first cousin of the Count of Paris, current head of the royal family of France, became the 51st grand master of the military and hospital order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem. The order of Saint Lazarus is a private association of faithful of the Catholic Church, currently under the spiritual protection of Cardinal Antoine Kambanda and which was historically linked to the kings of France. The members have the desire to help their neighbors, just as “God helped” Lazarus, friend of Jesus, through his intercession.

Read also: Gala dinner of the Grand Master of the Order of Saint Lazare at the Château de Meung-sur-Loire

The new lady is the sister-in-law of the 51st Grand Master and the wife of the Emeritus Grand Master

This Saturday, October 19, 2024, during an investiture ceremony which took place in the Notre-Dame de l’Immaculée cathedral in Monaco, Princess Naomi of Orléans was invested Lady Grand Cross of the order of Saint Lazare, an order that arrived in France thanks to King Louis VII after discovering its functioning during the Second Crusade in 1146.

Princess Naomi is the wife of the 49th Grand Master, Prince Charles-Philippe d’Orléans, Duke of Anjou. Prince Charles-Philippe assumed the magisterium from 2004, thus once again placing a member of the French royal family at the head of this order. Count Jan Dobrzenský z Dobrzenicz then succeeded the Duke of Anjou as the 50th Grand Master, until the inauguration of Prince Francis last year. Prince François is the younger brother of Prince Charles-Philippe.

The sister-in-law of the grand master and wife of the emeritus grand master was received during a religious ceremony led by Cardinal Antoine Kambanda, archbishop of Kigali, spiritual protector of the order of Saint Lazare and Abbot Bernard Lorent, spiritual grand prior of the order. Prince Sergius of Yugoslavia, a descendant of Serbian rulers and grandson of King Humbert II of Italy, was also present at the ceremony. Prince Serge and the new recipient of the order are friends and residents of Monaco.

Read also: The wedding of Prince Charles-Philippe of Orléans and Naomi-Valeska Kern in Orléans in the presence of prestigious guests

Gala evening at the Hôtel Hermitage in Monaco around Prince François d’Orléans

In the evening, Prince François invited his ladies and knights to a gala dinner at the prestigious Hôtel Hermitage in Monaco. In the Belle Époque room of this establishment overlooking the port and the Mediterranean, delicate dishes were prepared by chefs Laurent Piolti and Luc Gamel, best worker in France.

An amberjack ceviche with condiments and kumquat opened this dinner. The main course was John Dory and prawns with saffron baby potatoes and broccolini. A triple chocolate bar and gianduja ice cream were served before coffee.

The order of Saint Lazarus began in Jerusalem as a leper colony, then as a hospital for sick knights. King Louis VII, who visited Jerusalem during the Second Crusade, was impressed by the work of the knights of the order and decided to bring some back to France. He installed them in his castle of Boigny-sur-Bionne, which quickly became a commandery-leper colony. The order spread across Europe and the kings of France continued to protect it. For example, the Duke of Berry, future Louis XVI, was grand master of the order in 1757. In 1773, it was the Count of Provence, future Louis XVIII who held this position.