Royal Couple Attend The American Foundation of Savoy Orders’ Ballo di Savoia to Help Raise Funds for the US Gulf Coast Hurricane Victims

(PRWEB) January 6, 2006 -- Their Royal Highnesses Prince Emmanuel Philibert and Princess Clotilde of Savoy, the Prince and Princess of Venice, paid a 48 hour whirlwind visit to New York City, arriving Friday afternoon, December 9th, and leaving Sunday evening, December 11th. They took time from their busy schedules to participate in events organized by the American Delegation of Savoy Orders and its independent charity, the American Foundation of Savoy Orders. The Prince is the grandson of the last King of Italy, Umberto II, who died in 1983.

Their Royal Highnesses attended a cocktail reception in their honor on the evening of December 9 at the beautiful Manhattan townhouse residence of Uff. Marco and Dama Cristina Grassi. More than 50 Benefactors, Sponsors and Patrons of the Ballo di Savoia, organized by the American Foundation of Savoy Orders and the American Delegation of Savoy Orders, gathered to meet Their Royal Highnesses.

The American Delegation of Savoy Orders, which includes the United States of America and Canada, is part of the Dynastic Orders of the Royal House of Savoy, among the oldest orders of chivalry in the world. Their origins and their principles, traditions and humanitarian goals, like those of Royal House of Savoy that has the hereditary right to confer them, date back a thousand years. HRH Prince Victor Emmanuel IV, Prince of Naples, is Head of the House of Savoy and Grand Master of the Savoy Orders. His son, Prince Emmanuel Philibert, is Grand Chancellor of the Savoy Orders.

The American Foundation of Savoy Orders is a tax exempt U.S. charity whose philanthropic work in North American is supported by members of the American Delegation. The Foundation is a Non Governmental Organization (NGO) in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

The Prince and Princess, accompanied by the Delegate and Dr. Sergio Pellecchi, were warmly greeted by the host and hostess, and Uff. Grassi delivered a brief welcoming speech, in English and Italian, thanking Their Royal Highnesses for enabling so many members of the Savoy Orders and friends to pay their respects to the Royal couple in an informal setting. His Royal Highness responded by saying how happy he and his wife were to be with members of the American Delegation and the donors to the Foundation, and thanked the hosts and the guests for their warm welcome to New York. Despite their long and tiring transatlantic trip, the Prince and Princess participated with evident pleasure and enthusiasm, cordially greeting the guests. They departed for a private dinner more than an hour after their arrival.

On Saturday, December 10, at 11:00 a.m., their Royal Highnesses attended and actively participated in the semi-annual meeting of the National Council of the American Delegation of Savoy Orders at the Knickerbocker Club.

At 6:00 p.m. on Saturday evening at the elegant Colony Club, Park Avenue at 62nd Street, just before the start of the Cocktail Reception for the Ballo di Savoia, His Royal Highness graciously presided over a ceremony at which he, assisted by the Delegate and Gr. Uff. Dr. Robert La Rocca, presented diplomas and insignia of the Savoy Orders to several honorees who were not able to travel to Geneva to receive them at the Capitolo Generale (Annual Convocation) of the Orders. Those receiving honors on this occasion were: Adrian Benjamin Burke, Esq. (Devotee of Merit), Prof. Robert V. Piluso (Cav., OMS), Annie Borello Fiorilla, Esq. (Dama, OMS), Joan T. Rosasco (Dama, OMS), and Joseph J. Di Trapani (Cav., OSSML).

Starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Colony Club, the American Foundation of Savoy Orders held its Bi-Annual Ballo di Savoia. Their Royal Highnesses were guests of honor, and a record crowd of over 200 persons attended to help raise funds for the victims of the recent hurricanes on the United States’ Gulf Coast. The Prince and Princess mingled with the guests during the cocktail reception, personally greeting and chatting with many people. French Magazine "Point De Vue" described: “a ravishing Princess Clotilde of Savoy all in white”, who was wearing a ball gown by Gianfranco Ferre at the Ballo di Savoia.

After everyone had settled in the Ballroom The Inno Sardo Nazionale, the old Royal Anthem, was beautifully sung by mezzo-soprano Mary Phillips of the Metropolitan Opera. Masters of Ceremonies were the Co-Chairmen of the Ballo, Uff. Avv. John Leopoldo Fiorilla, Dama Cristina Grassi, and Uff. Avv. David V. Skoblow. A speech of introduction and welcome was given by Cav. di Gr. Cr. Avv. Carl J. Morelli, President of the Savoy Foundation and Delegate of the American Delegation of Savoy Orders. This was followed by a speech of greeting by H.R.H. Prince Emmanuel Philibert of Savoy, the Grand Chancellor of the Savoy Orders. The Invocation was given by Cav. di Gr. Cr. Archbishop Celestino Migliore, Apostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations. Loyal toasts were given to Their Royal Highnesses, by the Delegate; to the President, by Gr. Uff. Dott. La Rocca; to the Dynastic Orders of the House of Savoy, by Comm. Cosnotti; and to the American Delegation by Dama Cristina Grassi. During dinner there was dancing to the music of the Mitch Kahn Orchestra. A beautiful crystal paperweight with the Savoy Royal Family arms was the elegant gift to each Ballo participant, and the Savoy Foundation President, Carl Morelli, presented the Royal Couple with a Steuben crystal apple, symbol of New York, the “Big Apple.”

http://www.savoia.org

Contact:
Mira Zivkovich (212) 366-5409    
Carl J. Morelli (212) 972-1100