THE 1998 INVESTITURE
June 19, 20, 21, 1998

INTRODUCTION
The 1998 Sixteenth Annual Investiture of The Religious and Military Order of Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem was held in Greeley, Colorado, a university town located 55 miles directly East of Denver, Colorado. The location was The Ramada Inn. The General Assembly included workshops and lectures in chivalry as well as fellowship and banquets. The Guest of Honor was The Mahadevi ("Celestial Princess") of Hsipaw, Burma.

The story of The Mahadevi of Hsipaw is told in Her Highness' book Twilight Over Burma (University of Hawaii Press. Buy book HERE.). Her Highness' husband, the Prince of Hsipaw (the largest principality in Burma), was educated in the United States. Upon returning to Hsipaw, the Prince began a program of modernizing health and education services, as well as industry. To prevent the cost to these efforts, the Burmese military overthrew the legitimate government, and the Mahadevi was forced to flee with her two children, the young princesses. To this day, the Mahadevi has continued her humanitarian work on behalf of the people of Burma who still suffer under a rigid military regime. Her Highness' book Twilight Over Burma contains many photographs and tales of Burma.

The Mahadevi's charm, grace, and intelligence, as well as the story of her courage in the face of deadly opposition captured the hearts and minds of the Knights and guests attending the General Assembly.

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© 1998 The Religious and Military Order of Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. All rights reserved. No part of this article or the photographs may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission of the copyright holder. One archival copy may be downloaded and printed for private use.