The 28th annual Royal Savoy Ball

Photo credits: Annie Watt and David Duprie
Nicolette Richards / Ambassador Images

And what a fabulous evening it was! Under the patronage and presence of His Royal Highness Prince Emanuele Filiberto di Savoia, 300 of the most generous benefactors, comprised of royalty, knights, dames, and charity-minded notables, gathered for the 28th Royal Savoy Ball in New York City. His Highness holds the titles of Duke of Savoy, Prince of Piedmont, and Prince of Venice. His cousin, HRH Prince Dmitri of Yugoslavia, chaired the celebratory evening, which honored Robert and Francesca Agostinelli and benefited the American Italian Cancer Foundation (AICF). The foundation provides free cancer screening for underserved communities, a free mobile mammogram bus, advances early detection, supports medical research, and offers hope where it is most needed.

The American Foundation of Savoy Orders organizes the Royal Savoy Ball. The Foundation is supported by 200 knights and dames in the U.S. who are members of the American Delegation of Savoy Orders, part of the historic dynastic and chivalric Orders of the thousand-year Royal House of Savoy, which united Italy as a kingdom between 1861 and 1870.

“What distinguishes the Dynastic Orders of the House of Savoy is that they are not only institutions of honor — they are, above all, a family. A family that supports one another, grows together, and keeps alive the flame of tradition and renewal — a flame that must continue to guide future generations.”  Prince Emanuele Filiberto di Savoia 

“The Royal Savoy Ball was an evening full of inspiration, celebration and philanthropy in support of the Savoy Foundation’s mission – Chivalry for Children’s Causes – and a welcome event for new knights and dames entering the Savoy Orders through the American Delegation of Savoy Orders. Our mission is to promote the well-being of children, to provide hospitaller aid, and to advance the thousand-year history of the Savoy Orders through support of scholarships and educational initiatives.” Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia, Ball Chairman

“To all of you who are here to celebrate with us, to support this meaningful cause, and to share in this unforgettable evening: Thank you. Your presence, your generosity, and your spirit of solidarity mean more than I can express. I am deeply grateful, deeply humbled, and deeply inspired.” IACF Board member and honoree Francesca Agostinelli

“The American Italian Cancer Foundation is simply an extension of our philosophical approach to life: each and every one of us is duty-bound to follow in the noble steps of the House of Savoy line and share the values at the very core of the human condition.” Robert Agostinelli 

Guests danced the night away to Alex Donner and his orchestra. 

Distinguished guests included His Royal Highness Prince Emanuele Filiberto di Savoia, HRH Prince Dmitri of Yugoslavia, Robert and Francesca Agostinelli, Adriana Abascal, H.S.H. Princess Dorothée-Anastasja d’Arenberg, Duke and Duchess of Medinaceli, S.A. Princess Caroline Murat, H.E. Don Marco de Guadamillas y Cortés, Prince Dushan of Yugoslavia, Princess Valerie of Yugoslavia, Prince Giacomo Massimo, Her Imperial Highness Princess Saba Kebede, Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie Haile-Selassie, Marcello Tallarigo, Baron di Zagarize e Sersale, Sergio Fernández de Córdova y de Veyga, Leandro and Paloma Infantino, H.H. Dr. Prince Mario Max Schaumburg Lippe, Alejandra Cicognani, Samir Nikocevic, Shannon Getty, Michael La Civita, Marie Sophie Brugsch and Ginevra Bulgari.

AFSO Board Members were CEO Cav. Gr. Cr. Dott. John Laurent J. Gelati, Frank J. Desiderio, Frank Craparo, Anthony Viscogliosi, Thomas Pecora, Dama Gr. Cr. Vivian Cardia, and Daniel J. McClory.

Sponsors Uff. Katsutoshi Tanaka and Hon. William Martini, Dama Gr. Cr. Vivian Cardia and Comm. Thomas and Janice Pecora, Cav. Gr. Cr. Avv. Frank and Barbara Desiderio, Cav. Gr. Cr. Dott. Daniel J. McClory, Dama Gr. Cr. Florentina McClory, Cav. Gr. Cr. Dott. John Laurent J. Gelati, Cav. Samuele Tinaglia, Cav. Dott. Frank Craparo, Richard and Donna Soloway, Helene David-Weill, Stewart F. Lane and Bonnie Comley, Margaret Langenberg and Cecile David-Weill.

Ball Chairman HRH Prince Dmitri of Yugoslavia, Vice Chair Geoffroy van Raemdonck, Dinner Committee Chairs Sharon Bush, Janice Pecora and Mary Snow, and Event Chair Carole Bellidora Westfall.

Other notables are Barbara Tober, Jacqueline Weld Drake, Jean Shafiroff, Maria and Ken Fishel, Sharon Bush, Tracy Amon,  Bianca de la Garza, Linda Fargo, Barbara Winston, Maribel Lieberman, Vanessa Noel, Cristina Aibino, Keiko Aoki, Tina Beriro, Martha Bograd, Clifford Brokaw, Giancarlo Bruno, Chele and Richard Farley, Alex Choueiri, Beltran Corneille, Miss New York USA Christiana DiNardo, Søren Felden, Greta Fisdell, Dr. Ana Franceschi, Olga Franco, Lee Fryd, Kanna Fujita, Michèle Gerber Klein, Penny Grant, MD, Tristan Gretzky, Dr. Sharde Harvey, Sylvia Hemingway, Stephen Hofmeister, MD,  Fox Media’s Jennifer Johnson, Kari Jonassen, Roy Kean, Mario Kranjac,

KM, Chris Lando, Cav. Gr. Cr. Rev. Michael Langford-Stokes, Steven Langman, Sarah Lopatin, MD, Jack and Hyela Makoujy, Dr. Lorenzo and Andea Mannelli, Behzad and Nazanin Mansouri, Christopher Mason, Amy McGraw, Dr. Carly McIlvaine York, Timothy Messman, Ruth Miller, Mar and William Morosse, Cassilda Motte, Mai Murakami, Christine Mortimer Biddle, Ann Paskor, Sterling Kromas, Ellie  Razmjoo, Patricia Cossutta, Puly Rincon, Marc Rosen, Arnie and Paola Bacchini Rosenshein, Susan Gutfreund, Robert Ruffolo, Ann Van Ness, Catherine Sabino, Nicola Serragiotto, Steven Shalowitz, Eniko Mara and Stephen Somkuti, MD, Brian Stewart, Kimberly Tambascia, Uff. Katsutoshi Tanaka, Cav. Samuele Tinaglia, Sr., Jovan Todorovich, Antoine Turzi, Ilona Velez, Jimena Villalinga, Diego Villalonga Abascal, Marilyn Wagner, Christopher Walling, Areta Warren, Michael Yasenack, Susan Ziegler, Marie Sophie Brugsch, Alejandra Cicognani and Samir Nikocevic.

The House of Savoy is one of the oldest royal dynasties, with a lineage dating back more than a thousand years. Originating in the Alpine region of Savoy, near the present-day border of France and Italy, the family began as feudal lords who controlled strategically important mountain passes. Through political alliances, strategic marriages, and territorial expansion, the Savoys gradually increased their influence, extending their power into northern Italy and ultimately playing a defining role in the unification of the Italian nation.

Established around 1003, the House of Savoy rose from its early rule over the County of Savoy to become one of Europe’s most influential royal families. Over the centuries, its territories and titles expanded to include the Kingdom of Sicily and, later, the Kingdom of Sardinia. From their base in Piedmont-Sardinia, the Savoys laid the political foundations for the creation of the Kingdom of Italy.

In 1861, under the leadership of Victor Emmanuel II, the House of Savoy achieved its most significant historical milestone: the unification of Italy. The dynasty subsequently ruled the Kingdom of Italy for 85 years, producing four Italian kings: Victor Emmanuel II, Umberto I, Victor Emmanuel III, and Umberto II. They also held the Spanish throne during the nineteenth century.

The dynasty’s reign in Italy ended in 1946, when a national referendum resulted in the abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of the Italian Republic. Umberto II, the last King of Italy, reigned for only a few weeks before the transition.

The House of Savoy remains an enduring symbol of European royal heritage, its history intertwined with the evolution of Italy itself. From its medieval Alpine origins to its central role in the creation of a unified nation, the dynasty’s legacy reflects more than a millennium of political ambition, territorial transformation, and royal tradition.

The American Foundation of Savoy Orders, Inc. is a New York-based, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization that serves as the philanthropic arm of the American Delegation of the Dynastic Orders of the Royal House of Savoy. Incorporated in 1993, the Foundation operates under the guiding motto “Chivalry for Children’s Causes,” carrying forward the 1,000-year-old hospitaler and humanitarian traditions of one of the oldest orders of chivalry in the world. 

The Foundation funds local, national, and international charities focusing on medical assistance, education, disaster relief, and humanitarian programs. It prioritizes help for the poor, sick, elderly, and marginalized children. 

Headquartered in New York City, the broader American Delegation is led by U.S. Delegate H.R.H. Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia under the global direction of Grand Master H.R.H. Prince Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy. 

Article by Rolise Rachel

The Family Office Summit & The Seasun Events

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@theseasunevents