The Royal House of Savoy was Europe’s oldest sovereign family.  It recently celebrated its millennium anniversary at the dawn of the 21st century.  Commencing about the year 1000, the heads of the House of Savoy had ruled, first as counts, then as dukes and finally as kings, for almost a thousand years.  From the 18th until the mid-20th centuries, the Royal House of Savoy played an increasingly significant role in the history of modern Italy.  Following the Napoleonic era, the Savoy Dynasty gradually unified the entire Italian peninsula into the nation of Italy between 1861 and 1870. By briefly surveying the long history and succession of the Royal House of Savoy, which evolved over the centuries in tandem with the growth and development of its orders of knighthood and merit, the historical interrelationship and modern relevance of these institutions are brought into sharp and meaningful focus.

The Savoy dynasty traces its origins to the eleventh century rulers of the area where today France, Italy and Switzerland come together in the vicinity of Lake Geneva. The family’s dynastic succession began when they were originally created sovereign Counts by the Holy Roman Emperor, Conrad II at the beginning of the 11th century.  The first Count of Savoy, Umberto I “the Whitehanded” (born about 972), was granted lands there by the Holy Roman Emperor Conrad II.  As each of the great powers of medieval Europe played out its hand, the Counts, and later the Dukes of Savoy, consolidated their rule, eventually becoming Kings in 1713.

By the 1860's, the heads of the ruling dynasties of the Two Sicilies, Tuscany, Modena and Parma had yielded to the Savoys, who were then Kings of Sardinia-Piedmont. Their dominion extended over Aosta, Savoy, Piedmont and other territories of modern-day Italy and France, including Sicily and Sardinia. Finally, in 1871, under the Savoy's aegis and the leadership of King Victor Emmanuel II (1820-1878), the Italian states were unified into the Kingdom of Italy. He was followed by King Umberto I (1844-1900), King Victor Emmanuel III (1869-1947) and King Umberto II (1904-1983).

The Savoys remained Kings of a united Italy until the impact of World War II led to a referendum which narrowly established the Republic of Italy in 1946.  The last King, Umberto II, died in 1983.  His only son, His Royal Highness Prince Victor Emmanuel of Savoy, became the Head of the House of Savoy and Grand Master of its Dynastic Orders.

As theirs was the most ancient regnant royal house of Europe, until a plebiscite narrowly established a republic in 1946, the heads of the Royal House of Savoy have bestowed knighthoods longer than any other European dynasty. When the present head of the House of Savoy confers the family’s dynastic and hereditary honors, he continues a millenial family tradition begun by his forebear Count Umberto I of Savoy, circa 1003.

Today, the dynastic traditions and chivalric orders of the House of Savoy continue under the leadership of H.R.H. Prince Emanuele Filiberto, Duke of Savoy, Prince of Naples, and hereditary Grand Master of the Ordine Supremo della Santissima Annunziata ( Supreme Order of the Most Holy Annunciation) and the Ordine dei Santi Maurizio e Lazzaro (Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus). In addition, the Prince confers merit orders of the Royal House:  the Ordine Civile di Savoia (Civil Order of Savoy "For Civil Merit") and the Ordine al Merito di Savoia (Order of Merit of Savoy).

The mission of the Savoy Orders is to strengthen and spread the chivalric spirit in the contemporary era through dedication and solemn commitment to humanitarian ideals, Mainly the protection of the sick, the poor and the weak. Thus, to be admitted to a chivalric order of the House of Savoy is not just to receive a high honor, but also to commit to active support and participation by making charitable contributions and engaging in benevolent work. While deeply rooted in the past, the Savoy Orders are actively engaged in the challenges of modern society. The generous participation of the Knights, Dames and friends of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus and the Order of Merit of Savoy fosters the continuation of the Savoy Orders’ role in humanitarian and hospitaller assistance and support for its cultural, education and social initiatives.