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Title: Prince
Date created: Mystra 1407 / Selimbra 1443
Grant by: Emperor Manuel II
Granted To: ??
Rep:
Present Holder: Magistrate Dr Albert Borg Olivier de Puget Paleologo
LL.D
The title of Despot (Prince) of
Mystra and the Prince di Selimbria had been held by members of the
Imperial Families of Byzantine Empire as early as the 10th
Century.
The title of DESPOT means Prince Sovereign or
Ruler.
These particular titles were created for the younger son
of Emperor Manuel II of the Byzantine Empire (r 1391-1425) (House of
Paleologos) upon his renouncement to the Imperial throne (Note: The last
Emperor was a younger brother of Theodore ).
His Imperial Highness,
Prince Theodore Paleologos of the Byzantine Empire was created Despot
of Mystra in 1407 and the Princely of Selimbria in 1443 with
remainders to his descendants
Both titles were inherited from
generation to generation until the extinction of the main line in the
17th Century where it became dormant.
Each member was recognised by the
Holy Roman Emperors ,the Roman Senate, and many other
Sovereigns.
The titles were both dormant until the 1950's when they
were called out individually by two heirs or next of kin.
The title
of Despot of Mystra was revived in favour to Dr. Giovanni Chapelle
Paleologo LL.D , 9th Count Ciantar-Paleaologo (See Ciantar-Paleologo) on
2nd of May 1950.
The present holder is his son John Chapelle
Paleologo who is the 10th Count Ciantar-Paleologo.
The
title of Prince of Selimbria was revived to Dr Joseph Borg Olivier de
Puget Paleologo LL.D on 8th of April 1953.
Dr Albert Borg Olivier de Puget Paleologo LL.D ,
Prince of Mystra is a Magistrate in the Courts of the Republic of Malta
and was appointed Ambassador to France from 1985 till 1991 and Ambassador
to the United States of America and High Commissioner to
Canada.
The Princely House of Borg Olivier de Puget Paleologo is
well connected to the Counts Ciantar Paleologo and many other Noble
families.
Dr Joseph Borg Olivier de Puget Paleologo LL.D's brother
was the late Hon. Dr George Borg Olivier LL.D, Prime Minister of
Malta (r 1950-55 and 1962-71, who was the person behind the abolition of
noble titles).
Presently the title is held by
his son Dr Albert Borg Olivier de Puget Paleologo
LL.D.
Arms of the Imperial House of Palaeologos, Emperors of the
Eastern Empire.
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