After Napoleon captured Malta in 1798, Tsar Paul I provided his own protection and became 70th Grand Master of the Order, which was acknowledged by Lord Nelson.
Karageogevitch Patronage
The Karageogevitch family has patronised the OSJ since King Peter II of Yugoslavia chartered the OSJ in 1963. His brother HRH Prince Andrej continued the patronage, which is currently provided through his son HRH Prince Karl Vladimir, who is Patron of this Order. (The Prince is a decendant of Queen Victoria and Tsar Paul I.)
Relics
The basis for this patronage is that the relics of the OSJ were passed from the House of Romanoff to the House of Karageorgevitch during the Russian Revolution. These relics remain under control of the Karageorgevitch family. King Peter descended from Tsar Paul.
Unbroken Lineage from 1798
It is through the Romanoff and Karageorgevitch Patronage or Protection that this Order claims unbroken lineage from 1798.
