2004 Brussels, BelgiumThe 5th Investiture took place in Brussels on the 11th
December 2004 in the 5 Star Hotel ‘The Royal Windsor’
and the Madeline Church, right next to it. More than
150 Dames and Chevaliers from all over the world
attended this event following the invitation of the new
Grand Prior, Chev. Willy Doms. Huge delegations from
the USA, from Poland and UK, members from Spain,
Mexico, Ukraine, Greece etc. were present, inter alia
the late Don Hunsacker II and Grand Prince Michel
Karatchevsky-Volk. Guided visits were organized to the
Belgian Parliament, the old town center of Brussels,
Antwerp, and Bruges. The Charity Ball took place in the
beautiful Ballroom of the Hotel, accompanied by a
band and a famous soloist violinist playing dance
music, a massive success, since, miraculously, the
number of invited guests had increased with 18
persons, all neatly in tuxedo and evening dress, not
distinguishable from the official invitees. But the Hotel
could manage this sudden unexpected rise of visitors
with a smile. Compliments for that.Grand Master, Press Reporter and Prince Michael
Karatchevsky-VolkBelgium 2005In December 2005, the Grand Priory of Belgium hosted
two significant events the meeting of the Grand
Magistry presided over by the Grand Master Count
Juliusz Nowina-Sokolnicki and the 6th Annual
Investiture Ceremony of the Grand Priory of Belgium.
Both events took place between the 14th - 16 th of
December 2005 in the historic Belgian City of
Mechelen, the city itself: with more than 300 listed
buildings, Mechelen resembles an open-air museum of
the Renaissance. Belgium, one of the Low Countries
with a present-day high profile as a founding member
of the European Union, seat of the European
Parliament, and headquarters of NATO. The
Investiture was held in St. Jan/John’s Church, built in
the 15th century has a baroque interior and a famous
triptych from Rubens as well as other masterpieces
from Flemish painters. 16 new postulants were
received, some famous personalities, also from
abroad, who specially asked to be invested in Belgium.The Grand Prior of Benelux Chevalier William Dougan,
Lord of Landkey and Princess Tatiana Sapieha-Kodenska.
Protector of the Grand Priory of Belgium and was also
promoted to the rank of Class III. Companion (Dame
Commander), the Princess was then presented with a
red sash bearing the arms of Belgium and written in
gold lettering, the words, "Patroness of the Grand
Priory of Belgium", the Princess was also presented
with a small banner also bearing the Belgium coat of
arms, to remind her of Belgium.The postulants were
dressed in black tie and long frocks, with mantles
draped over the left forearm, and to the haunting
sound of the pipes playing "Amazing Grace," the Order
moved gracefully in procession and with dignity into
the church, the four horsemen having dismounted
from their trusted steeds, stood guard at the four
corners of the altar, as protectors of the accolade and
insignia. Each horseman also held a flag representing
respectively Belgium, Poland, the Ukraine, Grand
Prior's gonfalon. Prior's gonfalon. to the haunti pipesplaying "Amazing Grace," the Order moved gracefully
in procession and with dignity into the church, the four
horsemen having dismounted from their trusted
steeds, stood guard at the four corners of the altar, as
protectors of the accolade and insignia. Each
horseman also held a flag representing respectively
Belgium, Poland, the Ukraine, and the Grand Prior's
gonfalon.2003 - 4 th Investiture of the Belgian Grand Priory
in Esbeek, The NetherlandsThe 4th Investiture of the Belgian Priory took place in
Esbeek, The Netherlands, on 13th December 2003, in
the superlative Hotel ‘De Rustoord’. Archbishop
Verbeeck from Breda/NL and our Chaplain Geert van
de walle celebrated the church service in a chapel
bordering the main buildings of the hotel. A glorious
experience with many guests from abroad, in a
beautiful and exclusive place. The Bishop anointed the
present Knights and Dames at the conclusion of the
ceremony which left no one unimpressed. The gala
was delightful, the dinner superb. Dancing went the
evening on for a long time into the night. The beautiful
lady of the owner of the place had 4 young adult
daughters, one prettier than the other. That
influenced the atmosphere of the Ball enormously.
Honi soit qui mal y pense.