Well, tonight’s event was an honour. We say that a lot, but this evening it truly was as I was given the rank of Commendatore in the Italian Republic’s Order of Merit.
His Excellency, Inigo Lambertini, and the team at the Ambasciata d’Italia a Londra made it a very very special occasion. The Ambassador pronounced, “A nome del PdR ho consegnato la Commenda OMRI al Lord Mayor della City of London”. Then he and the Lieutenant who had brought the insignia over from Italy kindly placed it upon me.
THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC, HEAD OF THE ORDER OF MERIT OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC
In consideration of particular merits, on the proposal of the President of the Council of Ministers, having consulted the Council of the Republic of Italy, this decree is dated Rome, 2 June 2024.
Hаs conferred the honour of ‘Commander’ upon Professor Michael Raymond Mainelli, with the right to display the relevant insignia.
Signed: [Sergio] Mattarella [President], Counter-signed: [Georgia] Meloni [Prime Minister]
The Chancellor of the Order certifies that il Prof. Michael Raymond Mainelli was registered in the Commanders’ List at No. 2788 Series VI.
Chancellor of the Order, Director of the Office of the Chancellery
A few words seemed in order:
“Your Excellency, Ladies and Gentlemen…
To quote Dante: “noi non potremo avere perfetta vita senza amici”…“we cannot have a perfect life without friends”…and fortunately for Elisabeth and me, we are surrounded by friends tonight. Italy and the City of London’s friendship has always been one of mutual affection, something we were delighted to reaffirm last Tuesday through the international language of music…and a little help from Il Cannone, Paganini’s violin.
Paganini caused a sensation when he played at Mansion House in front of the Lord Mayor in 1831, and 33 years later, in 1864, another Italian – Garibaldi – similarly created waves when he was awarded the Freedom of the City in Guildhall. He is said to have scandalised the Lord Mayor and other dignitaries by kissing them on both cheeks while receiving the honour…but don’t worry, I don’t intend to cause any such embarrassment tonight!
Tonight, however, reminds me of the story of the 19th Century Mayor of Hamburg, Johann Heinrich Burchard, who reacted to the news that His Majesty deigned to raise a Rudolph Schroeder to the nobility by noting that, indeed, His Majesty could “place” him in the peerage, but as a Hanseatic merchant he could never be “elevated”. Placed or elevated, I am deeply honoured to be made a Commendatore of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.
To borrow from Dante again: “ricorda stanotte, perché è l’inizio di tutto”…“remember tonight, for it is the beginning of always.” And the Lady Mayoress and I will remember always this night…one kept in the company of the best of friends. Grazie mille. Thank you.”
With the ceremony being on Italian soil, the highlight was a superb banquet afterwards. People often try to draw Elisabeth and me out on which embassies have the best chefs, and virtually all are magnificent, but some are just that extra bit special. Basta.
[For those intrigued by comparisons with the British honours system, the Italian system provides for state honours in levels rather like the British system but does not classify them as orders of chivalry, apart from those awarded by the House of Savoy which might be compared with the Royal Victorian Order, were Italy were a monarchy. Confusingly from a British perspective, state honours are awarded in categories of knighthood. A Commendatore is within the categorisation of a knighthood in Italian terms at a level which might (in illustrative terms only) be thought of as something like a CMG, but within an Italian knighthood categorisation. Other than courtesy titles held by members of the Royal Houses, Italy does not have pre-nominals.]
Finally, if you’re also interested in Italian heraldry, Sebastiano Pasquini of Studio Araldico Pasquini – www.studioaraldicopasquini.com, www.registroaraldicoitaliano.it – kindly provides an Italian post on the Lord Mayor and other related matters:
… and an Italian heraldic entry too: