Order of the Star of Italy

Order of the Star of Italy. The Order of the Star of Italy is a national Italian knighthood established in 2011 by President of Italy Giorgio Napolitano, replacing the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity. It is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the Italian Republic, such as Sergio Mattarella, Pope Francis, and Angela Merkel. The order is also conferred upon European Union leaders, including Jean-Claude Juncker and Donald Tusk, as well as international figures like Ban Ki-moon and Kofi Annan.

● History

The Order of the Star of Italy has its roots in the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity, which was established in 1947 by Enrico De Nicola, the first President of Italy. The order was created to recognize the contributions of Allies of World War II, including Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Joseph Stalin, as well as Italian resistance movement leaders like Alcide De Gasperi and Palmiro Togliatti. In 2011, the order was reformed and renamed the Order of the Star of Italy, with the aim of recognizing individuals who have promoted Italian culture, such as Andrea Bocelli and Riccardo Muti, and strengthened ties between Italy and other countries, including France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. The order has been awarded to numerous international leaders, including Vladimir Putin, Barack Obama, and Xi Jinping.

● Grades and Insignia

The Order of the Star of Italy consists of five grades: Knight Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, and Knight. The insignia of the order features a star with five points, surrounded by a laurel wreath and a ribbon in the colors of the Italian flag. The order's insignia is worn on formal occasions, such as the Festa della Repubblica Italiana, and is also displayed on the uniforms of Italian Armed Forces personnel, including Mario Monti and Paolo Gentiloni. The order's grades are conferred upon individuals who have made significant contributions to Italian society, including Carlo Azeglio Ciampi and Giulio Andreotti.

● Eligibility and Appointment

The Order of the Star of Italy is conferred upon individuals who have made significant contributions to the Italian Republic, including politicians, artists, and business leaders. The order is awarded by the President of Italy, who is advised by the Council of Ministers and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The order is typically conferred upon individuals who have promoted Italian culture and strengthened ties between Italy and other countries, including Spain, Portugal, and Greece. The order has been awarded to numerous international leaders, including Justin Trudeau, Emmanuel Macron, and Theresa May.

● Notable Recipients

The Order of the Star of Italy has been awarded to numerous notable individuals, including Pope Benedict XVI, Dalai Lama, and Nelson Mandela. The order has also been conferred upon international leaders, including George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Tony Blair. Other notable recipients include Italian entrepreneurs like Gianni Agnelli and Carlo De Benedetti, as well as Italian artists like Luciano Pavarotti and Andrea Camilleri. The order has also been awarded to sports personalities, including Usain Bolt and Cristiano Ronaldo.

● Ceremony and Protocol

The Order of the Star of Italy is typically conferred upon individuals in a formal ceremony, which takes place at the Quirinale Palace in Rome. The ceremony is attended by the President of Italy, the Prime Minister of Italy, and other high-ranking officials, including Sergio Mattarella and Giuseppe Conte. The order's insignia is presented to the recipient, who is also awarded a diploma and a medal. The ceremony is an important occasion for the Italian Republic, and is often attended by international leaders, including European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. The order's protocol is governed by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Italian Presidential Palace. Category:Italian orders and decorations