Anthony Bailey awarded OBE
The inter-faith and charity campaigner Anthony Bailey, 38, was invested with the insignia of an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) on Thursday. The ceremony which took place at Buckingham Palace, was conducted by HRH The Prince of Wales on behalf of HM The Queen.
The award's citation records Mr Bailey's longstanding service to "'Inter-Faith Relations and to Charity'. Among Anthony's many voluntary and charity roles include those with Painting and Patronage, the Anglican Church's United Learning Trust, the Belfast cross-community Forthspring Inter-Community Centre, the Roman Catholic Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George, the Three Faith Forum, the British-Moroccan Society and the British-Saudi Society.
Anthony is a Foundation Governor of the Archdiocese of Westminster. Since 2002 he has been a Member of the Ministerial Task Force for Gifted and Talented Education of the Department for Children, Schools and Families.
In recent years Anthony has been honoured by over ten foreign governments for his work most recently by Portugal, Morocco and Bulgaria. He was knighted in 2004 by Pope John Paul II for his contribution to furthering inter-faith dialogue and understanding across Eastern Europe and the Arab world.
Anthony Bailey commented: "To be recognised in this way is a particularly humbling experience and to receive my award from The Prince of Wales who is himself devoted to furthering more meaningful understanding among the followers of faith was particularly special.
"I am delighted that the work of so many causes and charities which I have the honour to be associated with has also been recognised through this award".
Anthony Bailey was accompanied to the investiture ceremony by his wife, HSH Princess Marie-Therese von Hohenberg, his parents from Waterford, Ireland, Colin and Veronica Bailey, and his father-in-law, HSH Prince Peter von Hohenberg of Austria - grandson of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary, whose assassination in 1914 led to the outbreak of World War One.
For more information on the Inter-Church & Inter-Faith Delegation see: www.constantinian.com