The Supreme Order of the Most Holy Annunciation (Ordine Supremo della Santissima Annunziata) was the primary dynastic order of the Kingdom of Italy, which ceased to be a national order when the kingdom became a republic in 1946. Today, the order remains under the jurisdiction of the Head of the House of Savoy, HRH Victor Emmanuel, Prince of Naples, who is the order's hereditary Sovereign and Grand Master. Today it exists merely as a dynastic orde...
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The Supreme Order of the Most Holy Annunciation (Ordine Supremo della Santissima Annunziata) was the primary dynastic order of the Kingdom of Italy, which ceased to be a national order when the kingdom became a republic in 1946. Today, the order remains under the jurisdiction of the Head of the House of Savoy, HRH Victor Emmanuel, Prince of Naples, who is the order's hereditary Sovereign and Grand Master. Today it exists merely as a dynastic order of knighthood.
The origins of the Supreme Order of the Most Holy Annunciation begins in 1362, when Amadeus VI, Count of Savoy (1343-1383) instituted the order's earliest designation, under the title of Order of the Collar. Even at this time, the order was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is celebrated as "Our Lady of the Annunciation." Thus, the order is a dynastic religious (or Catholic) order of chivalry.
Under its first formulation, the order had fifteen knights. The number was symbolic of the number of daily masses celebrated...
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