[1] It was created on 1 January 1819 by Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies to reward military valor and merit.

It received its name to celebrate the reunification of Naples and Sicily into one kingdom after the Congress of Vienna.

The dynastic dispute within the House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies means the position of Grand Master is disputed between Prince Pedro, Duke of Calabria and Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro.

The head of the Spanish branch, Prince Pedro, considers this Order to be dormant and it is no longer awarded.

During the time of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, the Order was divided into the following grades: The badge of the Order is a red enameled lilied cross with in the middle a white enameled round plate bearing the image of a mounted St. George running the dragon through with his sword, bordered by a circle of blue enamel with the inscription "IN HOC SIGNO VINCES" and a laurel wreath.