It was founded October 29 th, 1831 by Charles Albert, King of Sardinia, with an only class to reward the civil virtues and the worth of whom didn't belong to the military class (Military Order of Savoy 1815-1946). The original statutes attest that it can be conferred only by the Gran Master of the Order, who is the Head of House Savoy.

The order was reserved only to Italians, and particularly to those people who were distinguished or were famous among the " scientists ", "lettered, "administrators ", " engineers ", " architects ", " artists ", "authors and publishers of discoveries", "to the teachers of sciences and letters", "to the managers of education".

The maximum number is seventy members.

After the death of H.M. Umberto II, King of Italy, his son H.R.H. Vittorio Emanuele IV, Prince of Naples, Head of Orders and Arms of the Royal House Savoy, is the Hereditary Grand Master of the Order.