Granting of Orders and Titles by H.M. King Kigeli V of Rwanda

Granting of Orders and Titles by H.M. King Kigeli V of Rwanda
| 17.03.2007 | 18:40:33 | Views: 398
PAPER PREPARED BY DR W H JONES, SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
BSc (Econ) London, MA, PGCertTESOL, EdD Macquarie, JP NSW
16 March 2007


Is it possible for the present King of Rwanda, being King Kigeli V, to grant honours which are based on European nobiliary titles?

In February 2007, during a discussion between interested members on a public Internet discussion site devoted to heraldic matters, the question of titles being awarded by King Kigeli of Rwanda was raised.
Following these discussions, which at times became quite heated, the current President of the International Commission for Orders of Chivalry (ICOC), (See Footnote 1) Dr Pier Felice degli Uberti, issued an invitation on 19 February 2007 as follows:
Footnote 2. I offer this possibility to those who have something to say against the idea of the King Kigeli to grant "honours" using name of "European nobiliary titles" (but I repeat they are not nobiliary titles but only honours): prepare a true study supported by due documentation, historical precedents, footnotes which quote precedent studies on the matter to be published in one of my reviews or better to participate in the next III International Colloquium of Genealogy organized by Institut International d'Etudes Généalogiques et d'Histoire des Families in San Marino from 28 September to 1 October 2007.
I accept the invitation to prepare a study. The study will not be published in one of Dr degli Uberti's reviews as it is not presented in a way that meets the requirements for his reviews. In addition I am not able to participate in the International Colloquium of Genealogy organized by Institut International d'Etudes Généalogiques for September / October 2007.
The invitation was stated as being to those who have something to say against the idea of the King Kigeli to grant "honours" using name of "European nobiliary titles". However I prefer in an academic treatise to pose a question in positive terms. That being so, the question could be posed quite succinctly as follows

"Is it possible for the present King of Rwanda, being King Kigeli, to grant honours which are based on European nobiliary titles?"

This whole matter arises because King Kigeli V of Rwanda is in fact not a reigning monarch, but a deposed monarch. He was appointed in 1959, deposed in 1961 and initially fled into exile to Tanzania. Since 1992 he has lived in exile in the USA.
The practice of referring to someone by a title and of a person using a title is one of social convention rather then a legal requirement. While a person might well be fully entitled (sic) to use a title or to be referred to as a holder of such a title, there are seldom any legal sanctions if this is not done. Within the military such disregard or disrespect might be a disciplinary offence but in the civilian world such non-use or non-recognition is normally just bad manners or ignorance. The sanction might be that one is not invited to official functions again, while for those who refuse to recognise or use titles for someone who has such an honour from a monarch in exile such as King Kigeli, then the sanction is not to be invited to future private functions.

However, for the purposes of this study it might be useful to pose the problem in two parts.
Can any modern-day monarch create honours or titles based on current or past titles which are conventionally used in European nobiliary traditions?

Following from this, can a deposed modern-day monarch create titles based on current or past titles which are conventionally used in European nobiliary traditions?

Can any modern-day monarch create honours or titles based on current or past titles which are conventionally used in European nobiliary traditions?

The term "Honours" has a wide meaning but for this question it probably means:
Titles of honour in the European traditions, such as duke, marquess / marquis, earl, count, viscount, baron, lord, and baronet. There may be others of course, such as "grandee" in Spain and "noble" in some countries.
Decorations, medals and orders, which can be created or issued for a very wide range of purposes, eg. Orders of chivalry with between one and any number of classes, orders of merit, also of between one and a number of classes, bravery awards, merit awards, commemoration awards and long service awards.
There are many other meanings for "honours" but these are the ones dealt with in this paper.

At Footnote 3 there is an opinion on what constitutes Orders of Knighthood. There are also comments on sources of legitimacy and legitimacy is a central element in recognition of "honours".
"Monarch", while being a fairly specific word, really means the executive or ceremonial head of government of a country, and this could – of course – be a President. Therefore, while this paper does not look at the acts of "presidents", it can be taken that modern-day presidents can do much the same as monarchs can do, again within the limits imposed by the type of constitution or government that any country is ruled under.

"Titles" in the European context are a social construct and are not scientific phenomena. While the specific meaning of the various ranks within the nobiliary might well have had some specific meaning at some time in the past, changing over the centuries, nowadays such distinctions are mostly a matter of social recognition. One country where the nobiliary had real legal political power was the peerage in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK), but recent reforms have reduced that power drastically. What is left in the way of "power" from the peerage in the UK is mostly persuasive and social.
Note: After the British Labour Party came to power in 1997, it began the process of reforming the House of Lords. Under the House of Lords Act 1999, hereditary peerages do not entitle individuals to seats in the House of Lords. The Act did provide exemptions for the Earl Marshal, the Lord Great Chamberlain and ninety others elected by the peers. Further reform of the Lords is under consideration.

"Nobles" is a more difficult concept to generalise on. Again it is a social construct, but it is nevertheless ingrained deep into the consciousness of many European traditions. Much like a grant of arms, "nobility" is seen by some as an incorporeal hereditment, perhaps inalienable in some conventions. In Britain, perhaps excepting Scotland which has some traditions of its own, there is not a "noble" class per se. Only peers are regarded as part of the peerage and their brothers and sisters normally only receive courtesy titles.

Guy Stair Sainty is the author of a paper entitled, "A Summary of the Use of the Royal Prerogatives, its use by the Heirs to Former Thrones and by Republican or Revolutionary Regimes" Footnote 4. Therein he mentions that "certifications of nobility were issued by the Stuart claimants, despite being an alien practice for which there was no need in England (there being no privileged nobility other than the Peerage)" … and these were routinely accepted by nobiliary authorities in France, Spain, Italy and the Empire.) However "nobility" as a discrete element is not dealt with in this paper, as whole books can be written on the subject

Honours and awards are created by convention, normally part of the executive prerogative within a state. Invariably, such honours and awards do not have extra-territorial effect but normal politeness will normally provide at least social acceptance extra-territorially.

At official or diplomatic level, one country will normally accept whatever descriptions are given by sending countries. A somewhat idiosyncratic position was taken by Prime Minister Gough Whitlam of Australia for a while during his tenure of office from 1972 to 1975. He is said to have disputed titles such as "Duke of Gloucester" and referred to the then incumbent as "Prince Henry" Prime Ministers can do much as they like but that ponderous interpretation did not last very long. (See in, Whitlam, E. G. "The Truth of the Matter". Melbourne: Penguin Books, 1979; W H Jones, "Development of the System of Honours and Awards in Australia", 1986, Macquarie University).

There are many good sources to find details of the honours and awards issued by the countries of the world. The Internet will provide good references. The Orders and Medals Research Society is a good source for worldwide information (http://www.omrs.org.uk/,) and has the added attraction of having HRH the Prince of Wales as its Patron. On a more esoteric and limited scale there is the private organization known as the International Commission for Orders of Chivalry (ICOC) (http://www.icocregister.org ). Both of these sites can give a guide to past and present honours.

It is a matter of international practice that governments of different countries generally recognize the acts of other countries, unless they are at war or unless there are some other reasons for not recognizing particular acts, laws or conventions. Honours and awards are no exception and countries will normally recognize the awards of other countries. This does not mean that they will give permission to use, accept or wear such honours, except under specific circumstances. Recognition does not imply "permission to wear".
Switzerland is the only country that I am aware of that specifically does not allow its citizens to have medals and honours in the sense used in this study. This is not a prohibition on non-Swiss from having, using or accepting honours. By exception, Swiss are permitted to serve in the Pontifical Lifeguard (Swiss Guard) and to accept decorations from the Holy See.
Keeping to the subject of honours, almost all countries nowadays create, amend, vary or even disestablish honours. Again a good source on new and defunct honours is the OMRS. A good example of a recent change to a Royal Order is in Britain where the Royal Victorian Order renamed the grade of MVO 4th Class to LVO (Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order). There have also been changes to the Order of the Bath within the last hundred years and of course the Order of the British Empire is less than one hundred years old. The most recent change in the Order of the British Empire is to introduce a lapel badge (2007). While not strictly relevant to the topic of this paper, a point to bear in mind is that some British honours are "dynastic" to the extent that they remain within the control of the monarch - The Garter, Thistle, Royal Victorian Order and the Order of Merit. Most UK gallantry and long service awards have undergone recent changes, particularly by the removal of distinctions between which ranks can receive which awards.

Conclusion
The answer to the first question – "Can any modern-day monarch create titles based on current or past titles which are conventionally used in European nobiliary traditions?" must be yes. The only way in which the executive authority of the monarch (or head of state) in power can be curtailed is by the laws and conventions of the country concerned.
"How" such honours are created can differ. It may be through Orders in Council during the exercise of executive prerogative or it may be by legislation.

To look at King Kigeli of Rwanda in this context, if he had created honours and awards during his very brief period as monarch (1959 to 1961), I doubt very much if such creations would be an issue. They might have been unwise, unconventional or even bizarre, but, in my opinion, they would have been properly established. There are no governing principles or international law or custom that he must follow. The King, if he chose to do so, could create an entirely new system of aristocracy, honours, titles or anything else that followed neither European nor African precedents.
Mr Richard Lichten has referred me to an article on creations within the Japanese peerage. In 1869 under the new Meiji government, a Japanese peerage was created by an Imperial decree merging the former Court nobility (kuge) and former feudal lords (daimyo) into a single new aristocratic class called the kazoku. The House of Peers consisted of princes, marquises, counts, viscounts and barons. The Korean empire also had a system of aristocratic rank that equated to that of Europe, with titles similar to those of Japan. Although these titles may have seemed strange at the time, they created a hierarchy that was comprehensible to both the Japanese and Koreans, and also to outsiders. Nobody would deny the rulers of Japan and Korea the right to create European-style titles, but the main point made by Mr Lichten, is that these rulers had the right of fons honorum. King Kigeli does not.

The Emperor Napoleon 1 of France created a whole range of titles, with rules quite distinct from previous traditions. Nevertheless these were perfectly valid, because they were created by a ruling monarch - despite the interesting fact that he was the "Emperor of the Republic of France". Footnote 5. Napoleonic Titles and Heraldry Napoléon's official style, "Napoléon, par la grâce de Dieu et les Constitutions de la République, Empereur des Français"
Source : Brigadier General D Fourie, member of the South African Defence Force Honours Advisory Committee and of the South African Heraldry Council, March 2007.

Can a deposed monarch create honours or titles based on current or past titles which are conventionally used in European nobiliary traditions?

While this question is looked at from the perspective of King Kigeli of Rwanda as a deposed monarch, the answer is likely to be the same for any ex-monarch and for their heirs who might be described as "pretenders".
There have been many instances of deposed monarchs or governments purporting to establish governments-in-exile. These have had varying levels of support, at least for some years. There was a Polish government in exile between 1939 and 1990 and this claimed to be the de jure government of Poland according to the 1935 constitution until 1990 when communism fell and free elections were held. During this time the PGinE continued to make what might be considered by some as lawful awards of Polish orders. By the 1970s no state recognized the PGinE but such diplomatic recognition was regarded by some as irrelevant to its legality, in much the same way as an interregnum had continued in Poland between 1795 and 1919. It might well be the case that King Kigeli or any other deposed dynasties could raise similar arguments, but it is usually the de facto position that holds the most sway.

In the first place - and quite probably the most important issue – there is the lack of a system within which to establish honours, however described. A monarch in exile does not control the apparatus of the state from which he (or she) is exiled, so it is most unlikely that that state would formally recognize any acts of the former head of state. I know of no state that affords such internal recognition. Portugal is one country that treats the pretender to the throne of Portugal very well, but this does not imply any recognition of acts exercised by the pretender or any of his descendants.
Looking outside Rwanda, one could look to see if honours created by a monarch in exile or a pretender to a throne are recognized, regardless of non-recognition in Rwanda. . I know of not one country that recognizes any actions of any kind by King Kigeli as being effective in Rwanda. There are no known instances in modern times of honours created by monarchs in exile being recognized extra-territorially, although for a while the honours created by the Stuart monarchs in exile received some form of acceptance in some Continental countries. There is no international system in place within which King Kigeli can create honours which have any international meaning or which any international body will acknowledge as having any meaning in Rwanda.

In general I would rely on a statement from a distinguished source:
Footnote 6 Dr Pier Felice degli Uberti, 2007 President of the International Commission for Orders of Chivalry (ICOC).19 February 2007 " … (I) consider valid and undisputable from a legal point of view only a grant of honours or nobiliary titles coming from a Sovereign on the throne or a State sovereign.

Also relevant are the following:
Footnote 7. I want to precise that although I disagree from a legal point of view with the grants of nobiliary titles made from exile or by descendants, that effectively do not have any value, I consider them a good idea … PFdU
Footnote 8. As you know I disagree with the grants of nobiliary titles given from exile in every case, less and less if the grants come from descendants.

Of course King Kigeli could consider himself to be the Rwandan government in exile and act as a de jure monarch even though de facto deposed. If he is acting as lawful king (but lawful in whose opinion?) though in exile, the question then arises of whether he should consider himself to be guided exclusively by the laws of (Belgian) Rwanda as they existed at the time of his de facto position as monarch, or if he is free to go beyond the restricted royal role of the colonial period. This is hardly a serious question, as it would be specious to argue on the one hand that he should not have been deposed and on the other that because he is now a free agent, although in exile, he can now go beyond powers he had when de facto in power.

What then can King Kigeli do?
As a free man King Kigeli can do virtually anything that is not illegal. It is not illegal to create titles or to purport to do so. The Stuarts in exile did so. The Hutt River Principality in Australia is a good example of self-created titles. There are hundreds if not thousands of societies that grant titles and give awards.
The only real question is what the value is of such titles.

Creation of titles by King Kigeli
King Kigeli has purported to create titles-in-waiting, if I might use that expression, by the issue of Letters Patent that have no legal authority (meaning enforceable authority) but that are not in themselves illegal.
They are in effect a form of promissory note without any real intention, possibility or capability of being honoured. But see Footnote 11.

Here is an example of the King's own words: (See Footnote 10)
By the Grace of God King of Rwanda etc
… We do grant a title of honour, correspondent to the hereditary nobiliary title of (eg Marquis / Count / Baron etc) in the European tradition. This hereditary nobiliary title of (Marquis / Count / etc) shall descend by way of male primogeniture, We engage ourselves to make lawful, valid and executive the nobiliary title of …
These Letters Patent have as much meaning as a similar document issued by any person, but have the added cachet of being issued by a former head of state, who may – just may – become head of state again. Because King Kigeli was born in 1935 and has no known descendants the Letters Patent have doubtful value. In addition there is no indication in the Letters Patent that there is any provision or promise to bind or "engage" any person or body other than the King to make the title "lawful, valid and executive".

The question then arises about the purpose of the Letters Patent. From Footnote 12 it is clear that the current format of the Letters Patent came after there was some concern about titles being created and granted by King Kigeli. Dr degli Uberti, because of his expertise and background in matters of honours undertook to assist in trying to put in place a system to regularize the granting of titles of honour, while making it clear that the titles had no immediate effect.
Footnote 12. I … am pragmatic and for me every title coming from a former Sovereign (or his descendants) has no legal public official value … not only Africa, but particularly old Europe.

One of King Kigeli's former close advisers sees the matter in a practical light. With regard to intention, he remarks (see Footnote 9),
" … Anyone may have a political agenda in order to resume the power in his Country and has the right to invent any strategy that can bring about the realization of that plan.
In other words, it is a strategy to regain power in some way, presumably by raising money and gathering adherents for some future endeavour.

A more argumentative interpretation is posed by some of the opponents of such titles, at worst, without saying that creating titles could have every indication of being a form of confidence trick, which attracts funds but offers only a chimera (vain or idle fantasy) in return, playing on individual gullibility or vanity.
Issues about the validity of titles are real, as can be seen in the current controversy (2007) in the UK, on the supposed misuse of the honours system there,
The real question ten remains as to why King Kigeli felt the need to create such nobiliary titles. He had already created a number of "Orders" and other decorations and medals (See following paragraphs - Creation of other honours by King Kigeli V)

The orders and decorations created under the imprimatur of King Kigeli V seemed to find a ready supply of recipients, who, presumably, paid for such honours, either by way of contributions to the causes favoured by King Kigeli or by way of "passage" fees for admittance to the various Orders.
Why then the urge to create further honours in the form of nobiliary titles? Lacking any other plausible explanation, the indications are that it was based on advice from outside King Kigeli's knowledge, and perhaps as an additional means of raising funds.

The possibilities are legion, but the conclusion one must come to is that King Kigeli was poorly advised in agreeing to establish a system of titles based on European traditions. They have nothing to do with Rwanda or indeed with anything in Africa and, more importantly, did not exist while he was in power.
There have been some suggestions by his advisers, former advisers and others that there is a distinction between "honours" and "titles". Such advice may well have been given in good faith, but it is doubtful if such a distinction is really valid.
Footnote 2 (but I repeat they are not nobiliary titles but only honours)
Footnote 9. These people believe incorrectly that the King has placed himself into a position whereby he grants titles of nobility. This belief is incorrect and absolutely false. This can be understood by reading and understanding the … documents signed by the King. The King of Rwanda … does not desire to, nor does He grant to individuals any European noble title (baron, count or marquis). …

I repeat - King Kigeli grants ONLY honors and not titles.
These statements are contradictory within themselves and are also contradicted by the specific words of the King in the example Letters Patent mentioned above, viz;
Footnote 10. We do grant a title of honour, correspondent to the hereditary nobiliary title of (eg Marquis / Count / Baron etc) in the European tradition.

This hereditary nobiliary title of (Marquis / Count / etc)
We engage ourselves to make lawful, valid and executive the nobiliary title of (etc)
The plain fact is that dukedoms, marquisates, earldoms, viscountcies, baronies lordships and baronetcies are all quite clearly titles, within the ordinary meaning of the word. One can quibble about the difference between "title of honour" and "title" but in reality it makes little difference. The grants, titles or honours are unmistakably, from the words of the Letters Patent, intended to be legitimized on the accession of King Kigeli to the throne of Rwanda, as hereditary titles with descent by primogeniture. The King's ability to effect such legitimization must be in doubt, but this is always a possibility, however remote.

Creation of honours other than titles by King Kigeli
Much the same remarks as have been made about the creation of titles apply to the creation of Orders and decorations.
At country or state level, such creations are routine.
At a private level, including pretenders to thrones, it is not illegal to do so, is harmless, and if anyone wishes to recognize such orders and decorations then they can do so. Governments invariably will not do so. The following words, already quoted, are apt in this context:
Footnote 6. Dr Pier Felice degli Uberti, 2007 President of the International Commission for Orders of Chivalry (ICOC).19 February 2007 " … (I) consider valid and undisputable from a legal point of view only a grant of honours or nobiliary titles coming from a Sovereign on the throne or a State sovereign.
Creation of orders and decorations, in a way, is a much less objectionable way of rewarding services and of fund-raising. Those awarded such orders and decorations can wear them privately or on any occasion where they would be socially acceptable.

The Order of the Lion of Rwanda is one Order created by King Kigeli. There are no records of the existence of such order before King Kigeli was deposed, so it must have the status of a newly-created Order in exile. There is no conflict with an existing Order in Rwanda under the control of the present government. Therefore, there is no situation comparable to the Stuarts (James II) in exile purporting to create Knights of the Garter. On the other hand, if evidence were to be provided that the Rwandan Order of the Lion did exist before King Kigeli was deposed, then the situation would be much the same as pertained during the time of ex-king James II of Britain and King William III of Britain – one set of awards would have recognition from a de facto ruler and one from a self-styled de jure ruler.

Use of titles and honours from King Kigeli V
One of my functions as Chief of Protocol in Rhodesia and Zimbabwe was to deal with issues of precedence and appropriate ways of recognizing titles, honours and awards. In this regard I came in contact with current heads of government, and ministers existing royalty and former royalty.
During the Independence celebrations for Zimbabwe (leading up to 18 April 1980, I dealt with the then Governor, Lord Soames and also had some time with HRH Prince Charles, Camilla Parker Bowles as she was then and Lt Col Andrew Parker Bowles.

At the Independence Dinner itself on 17 April 1980, I had to advise Prime Minister Mugabe on how to resolve the problem of an uninvited guest, Daniel Ortega, who announced himself as the head of the new five man ruling junta in Nicaragua.
Living in Rhodesia at the time was King Leka of Albania and his wife, Queen Susan (an Australian). There were issues on how to deal with them and I had a number of problems in this regard.

I looked after HRH the Duke of Kent during a brief stopover in Zimbabwe, and also various Presidents, Prime Ministers, the UN Secretary General, ambassadors, Cardinals and other prominent people in the world of politics.
How then might I have advised persons honoured by King Kigeli V?

I might well have given the following advice privately to those who had received decorations such as "knighthood" equivalents, and recipients of "titles" such as marquis from monarchs or pretenders in exile.
I would have suggested that they treasure such honours and use them quite openly in appropriate circumstances. By all means use such titles as "Chevalier" in appropriate circumstances and even in correspondence with people who afford such recognition. I might well have suggested that it was no business of anyone else's what was done in this regard. The appropriate circumstances, however, were unlikely to be official events.
"Titles" such as marquis are always a more difficult issue, because they make a statement about social standing, not just for oneself but also for one's family. They also place a person in a social position in relation to those who might claim "legitimate" titles, if I might use that expression.

However, I would have advised such title-holders in much the same way as those who held positions in Orders - use the title with discretion, within the appropriate milieu.

In both instances, my opinion is that recipients of such honours should not be afraid to admit belonging to an order or having a title. If a monarch in exile or a pretender saw fit to honour someone in this fashion then it would be quite proper to admit it. Not to do so would mean denying the donor. The significant issue is to use or display such titles and awards with discretion.

In general, I believe this advice is consistent with that provided by Dr degli Uberti (See Internet site rec.heraldry 18 February 2007)

See Footnote 12. Edited from rec.heraldry of 18 Feb 2007
Dr degli Uberti does seem to feel the need to make a case for a distinction between "titles as honours but not titles as such" on the one hand and other forms of titles on the other. I would not agree with this interpretation but it really is not that significant. I see no problem with creating what purport to be titles and calling them titles, as long as the recipients are aware of the uncertain status of such titles within the international community and – more importantly – as long as such tiles are used with circumspection. The Letters Patent from King Kigeli make it clear that the titles are subject to being made valid if the king ever returns to his throne.

Conclusion and Summary
The question that was posed is "What is the position on the idea of the King Kigeli of Rwanda to grant honours using names of European nobiliary titles"
Answer

In a very few words, it is not illegal or even improper for King Kigeli to purport to grant honours using names of European nobiliary titles, but this amounts in present circumstances to a private act or acts, backed only by the cachet of being an ex-king, with a remote chance of ever becoming king again. I believe Dr degli Uberti and I are in agreement on many points, and I quote : "King Kigeli - as other former Sovereigns or Chiefs of House - is right in creating new awards (orders), that have value (private) only among his supporters and among those who want to give them value, and are different from those created in Europe" From Footnote 12.

FOOTNOTES

Footnote 1
IOCC Website.
The Commission is a private body, the worth and seriousness of which wholly depends upon the worth and seriousness of its component Members. In the past, there have been errors in scientific evaluation and interpretation, or times when the Commission exceeded its institutional role. Therefore, the new Statutes require a specific academic grounding of those who seek to become Members and these persons must demonstrate their experience in the field of the study of chivalric orders, decorations and awards systems through publications and other specific work.

Footnote 2
I wish only make an invitation. I offer this possibility to those who have something to say against the idea of the King Kigeli to grant "honours" using name of "European nobiliary titles"
Footnote 2
(but I repeat they are not nobiliary titles but only honours):
Continuation of Footnote 2
prepare a true study supported by due documentation, historical precedents, footnotes which quote precedent studies on the matter
to be published in one of my reviews (Nobiltà
http://www.iagi.info/rivistaNobilta/ or Il Mondo del Cavaliere
http://www.icocregister.org/aioc/programma.htm ), or better to participate in the next III International Colloquium of Genealogy organized by Institut International d'Etudes Généalogiques et d'Histoire des Families in San Marino from 28 September to 1° October 2007.
If the person cannot participate for the distance I will publish the intervention among the proceedings of the Colloquium, so it will be conserved in many of the Libraries and Archives in the world which receive also my reviews.
Iit must be a true study not only personal opinions without scientific support.
By my side I will prepare a study on the argument supported by historical precedents of dynasties who granted nobiliary tiles from the exile in Countries where the concept of nobility (as we mean in Europe) did not exist, that should be an ahistorical precedent of common usage between historical dynasties.
I will begin from the Oriental Empire, so I will utilize this study also for the next International Colloquium of Genealogy in Romania on May 2007.

Footnote 3
Legitimacy and [of] Orders of Knighthood
This essay was first published in December 1996. - François Velde.

Footnote 4
A SUMMARY OF THE USE OF THE ROYAL PREROGATIVE, ITS USE BY THE HEIRS TO FORMER THRONES, AND BY REPUBLICAN OR REVOLUTIONARY REGIMES (c) Guy Stair Sainty (Edited 3 March 2007 by W H Jones - only some elements quoted here)

6. PORTUGAL
In Portugal, both the deposed Monarch, Miguel I, and the last King of the "liberal" Monarchy (deposed in 1910), bestowed titles of nobility while in exile. H.R.H. Dom Duarte, Duke of Braganza, the claimant to the Portuguese Throne, has not only awarded the Royal Order of the Immaculate Conception of Villa Viçosa, the only Order of the former Kingdom not taken over by the Republic, but has also re-established a long dormant Order, that of Saint Michael of the Wing, with members across Europe and a handful in the United States (now reformed as an Association rather than an Order) The Republican authorities have looked with a benevolent eye on the activities of Dom Duarte, who has a substantial following within the country and has always conducted himself with considerable dignity. His late father created a Council of Nobility, now under the Presidency of the Marques de Pombal, which he has invested with delegated powers to confirm in his name titles created during the Monarchy but now extinct or dormant. A feature of the titles created under the "liberal" monarchy was that a substantial number were created for the life of the grantee, or for one or two lives thereafter. The Council has also been given the power to revive or extend the life of such titles, generally, although not necessarily, for the representative of the original grantee. Thus, by such "revivals" the Council may sometimes be creating new titles.

SUMMARY
It may be safely stated that the legitimate claimants to the Headship of formerly reigning families can assume the prerogative to award their Royal or Dynastic Orders and, to the extent that the last Constitutions of those particular Monarchies so permitted, enjoy such other prerogatives as can be exercised in actuality. These may, for example, include the right to create or confirm titles of nobility, provided such creations conform with the legal requirements established before the fall of the Monarchy. They would not include, on the other hand, such provisions as being Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of that country, as that responsibility is likely to have been assumed by another under the Constitution of the successor state. It may not always be possible for a Head of a Dynasty to comply with the precise requirements of the Monarchical law because of the disappearance of an historic office or position. To the extent that it is possible and practical, such requirements should be met and the various acts properly recorded.

Whether these awards have any validity outside the realm of private law would depend on the attitude of other Sovereign states. As several reigning Heads of State having accepted the Austrian Order of the Golden Fleece, itself recognized by the Austrian Republic, the exercise of that particular prerogative can be considered as having been recognized in public law (precisely because it is held not to derive from the claim to the throne). The same applies to the Grand Magistery of the Constantinian Order which, although divided, is recognized as a non-national Order by the Government of Italy and, in Spain, is recognized as an award and is invited to participate in ceremonies along with the Orders of Malta and the Holy Sepulcher. German Law seems to acknowledge the right of the heads of formerly reigning families to award their Orders and several states have recognized, in the past, titles created by exiled Sovereigns whom they accorded some form of recognition (such as those by the exiled Stuarts). Whether or not a claimant chooses to exercise these prerogatives, he or she would be well advised to do so with caution and discretion; one day the Dynasty might be restored and a future Sovereign would not wish to be embarrassed by having to acknowledge as legitimate those actions of his immediate antecedents which would be better forgotten.

Footnote 5.
See Napoleonic Titles and Heraldry Napoléon's official style,paper provided to me by Brigadier General D Fourie, member of the South African Defence Force Honours Advisory and of the South African Heraldry Council.
"Napoléon, par la grâce de Dieu et les Constitutions de la République, Empereur des
Français"

Footnote 6
What a strange thing for me (who consider valid and undisputable from a legal point of view only a grant of honours or nobiliary titles coming from a Sovereign on the throne or a State sovereign) to take on the justification of a former King who used for his honours also the name of European nobiliary titles. Dr. Pier Felice degli Uberti

Footnote 7
I want to precise that although I disagree from a legal point of view with the grants of nobiliary titles made from exile or by descendants, that effectively do not have any value, I consider them a good idea particularly valid as moral value which in some manner in private ambient maintain a tradition of our culture which deserves not to die. Dr. Pier Felice degli Uberti

Footnote 8
As you know I disagree with the grants of nobiliary titles given from exile in every case, less and less if the grants come from descendants. Dr. Pier Felice degli Uberti
Footnote 9 (edited by me, WHJ)
Occasionally, on the Internet Newgroup, several have mistakenly written concerning the HONORS granted from the former King of the Rwanda. This has probably been caused in part by the ignorance (unscientific awareness) of some of the newsgroups' frequent visitors who have seen certain web site references to European noble titles … granted by the King of Rwanda.
These people believe incorrectly that the King has placed himself into a position whereby he grants titles of nobility. This belief is incorrect and absolutely false. This can be understood by reading and understanding the ,… documents signed by the King.
The King is perfectly acquainted with the law in His Country and does not desire to, nor does He grant to individuals any European noble title (baron, count or marquis). To do so would be against the tradition of His reign as King of Rwanda and against the laws and culture of the country of Rwanda.
In commonsense terms, the King, in order to reward his faithful supporters who had worked with him in support of the causes of the Rwandan people, had decided as a "political plan" or course of action to create honors comparable or merely similar to the ancient European Noble Titles which had been granted from the European monarchs in the past or the present (as they are legally done today with full authority
The King knows well that his position is completely different from those held by current monarchs on the throne - who also have the tradition to grant noble titles
The position of King Kigeli … is one of a monarch outside of the throne or a FORMER ruler of a country … he does not have the prerogatives to grant a title of nobility in any way, much less according to the ancient rules based on the European model.
However, it does not prohibit the Monarch from the granting of the honors that in this moment of time and space only have value to the inside or membership of his dynasty and between his diligent and loyal supporters. This does not however have any official value but reveals only a term of endearment.
In the document the King of the Rwanda engages himself with His word or promises as King to render these honors in Rwanda valid upon a day of the King's return as Monarch to the throne, and obviously in that case He will change also the law in his Country in order to allow the full legal acknowledgment of these honors - honors that will perhaps then will also possess the European denomination of count, marquis, etc. King Kigeli is not the first African monarch who has adopted European denominations for noble titles, as has already happened in the Empire of the Central Africa (Bokassa)
But - I repeat - this is only a promised by the King and the honor will only have any value in the moment in which the King returns to the throne in Rwanda.
Numerous previous histories exist relating to former monarchs who have granted titles of nobility, but even if the noble titles were in the tradition of their country, it is important to realize that no monarch removed from the throne has the legal right to grant noble titles. Perhaps in this case such titles are only known as titles of courtesy without any real value outside the dynasty or the supporters of that monarch.
Therefore it is to be understood that there is no difference between monarchs with ancient custom or tradition of granting nobiliary titles and non-tradition, if neither monarch is currently on the throne or in common fact has been removed from said throne. No monarch removed from the throne has seen recognized of his titles granted by him from the exile. (exception - Carlist Spain)
Moreover there are historical cases of Monarchs outside the throne who have granted noble titles with the promise to render them valid in the exact moment of their return to the throne (Two Sicilies, Montenegro, Yugoslavia) granted noble titles which they did not have right to grant because they did not exist in the tradition of their Country.
I repeat - King Kigeli grants ONLY honors and not titles. Anyone may have a political agenda in order to resume the power in his Country and has the right to invent any strategy that can bring about the realization of that plan!!!
…individuals receiving such "honors" from the King … only have effective value in the future event of the King returns to the Throne. Every other consideration is useless and demonstrates only a VERY bad acquaintance or awareness of the argument or a desire to not understand the truth. Carl Edwin Lindgren, DEd, FCP

Footnote 10
By the Grace of God King of Rwanda and Lawful Inheritor of the Sovereignty of the Land, Lakes and Peoples of Rwanda according to the familiar traditions of our ancient and respected Dynasty used to grant honours, We hereby express our Royal prerogative through these letters patent. We do grant a title of honour, correspondent to the hereditary nobiliary title of (eg Marquis / Count / Baron etc) in the European tradition. This hereditary nobiliary title of (Marquis / Count / etc) shall descend by way of male primogeniture, We engage ourselves to make lawful, valid and executive the nobiliary title of (etc) granted to XXXXXXXXX, the moment of our return on the throne. Our Royal Seal and Sign Manual affixed to these letters patent on xxxxxxxx day of xxxxxxxxx of the year xxxxxxxxxxx a txxxxxxxxxxxxx

Footnote 11
It could be argued that nothing is created just by the issue of Letters Patent, and that the document is just a sign of good faith. There is no way of establishing if it will bind him or any successors.

Footnote 12.
Re.heraldry 18 Feb 2007 – Pier Felice degli Uberti, (Extract edited by WHJ)
When in 1999 I took on the presidency of ICOC (International Commission for Orders of Chivalry) I promised … that I should listen… and help.. all persons who asked advice…
I dont give value to kind of grant or recognition (nobiliary titles or chivalric orders or recognition by nobiliary associations or bodies) which does not come from a State where the nobiliary/chivalric matter is still today legally recognized.
Less and less I consider valid every private grant, as those coming from kings/chiefs of former Imperial/Royal Houses out of the throne.
I have nothing to do with these grants or orders of King Kigeli and I don't work for him but gave him my sincere advice which at that time was well considered and applied by the King
I mean my invention as it is said on the diploma of grant agreed with me by the King Kigeli:
I must explain the reason of this advice
I gave … my suggestion to help King Kigeli.
Some nobiliary titles (at the European manner) were granted by King Kigeli who was approached - as it happens in every dynasty - by persons with the purpose to make him grant nobiliary titles. Because this thing appeared … turned … to me as expert on the matter to help the King
Because some grants were still made it was necessary to correct and to justify these grants
To avoid damage to the King Kigeli …I advised about which right solution was possible in a still existing situation (this is the reason of this solution because it was conditioned by the existing reality.
If this reality was not existing clearly my advice should have been different and I had suggested to not create such kind of honours).
Everybody knows that King Kigeli is not an expert about nobility or chivalric matter.
It is necessary to consider - as I made because so it was told me - that through these grants the King Kigeli was helping his people, without obtaining a personal benefit.
But I want to remember that by my point of view I don't give value to these as other nobiliary titles or "chivalric" orders that today live only in the dreams of the persons who receive them.
When a thing is private or of courtesy can remain only so!
And clearly this is the case (as it is the case of all in Europe when the Sovereign is not on the throne).
I met the King Kigeli in … March 2006
According to the discussion with me and following my suggestion the King decided to grant only honors that are not nobiliary titles as in the European meaning.
In few words according to my advice the King of Rwanda decided to grant honours that can be comparable to the ancient European nobiliary titles... but in the sense it is given them after Napoleon I,that is only honours, although named nobiliary titles. The titles given after Napoleon - although they are nobiliary titles - have nothing to do with the concept of the past nobiliary titles (at least in great part of the Europe).
It is really a bit ridiculous that the King of Rwanda in exile grants honors which bring the name of ancient European nobiliary titles but as Macchiavelli affirmed "Il fine giustifica i mezzi" (the end justifies the means)
In fact the King will do what He considers fit, and to grant these honors is useful to help His people
The honesty of the King stays in the promise that - if He returns to the throne - He will make valid these honors.
I … am pragmatic and for me every title coming from a former Sovereign (or his descendants) has no legal public official value … not only Africa, but particularly old Europe.
No official State Authority recognizes such titles (courtesy nobiliary titles), although there are today former European Royal Houses who continue to grant nobiliary titles … a recent fact
The Rwanda Honors are honors that now have a moral value inside the Dynasty and among those who are supporters of King Kigeli.
If Kigeli returns to the throne the honors will have effective value in a form that can be accepted by Kingdom of Rwanda.
The honor (not the nobiliary title which did not exist in Rwanda) is immediately valid in private (as every honour or nobiliary title or chivalric order given by a private authority, a former Royal/Imperial House).
But it is not possible to continue to think about the classical concept of nobility
But new times justify new solutions … the King of Rwanda has found new solutions.
I received some emails asking my personal opinion about th

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