The Investiture Ceremony of the Most Excellent Captains Regent takes place on April 1 and October 1 of each year.

The two Captains Regent, elected every six months by the Great and General Council among its members, have the representation of the State of San Marino and are at the head of the legislative and executive power. They always act jointly and have the right of veto towards each other. This is to ensure that power is never in the hands of a single individual. It is an institution that originates in the communal period and that has arrived intact up to the present day. Its uniqueness was one of the decisive elements for the inclusion of San Marino in the UNESCO World Heritage List, which took place in 2008.

The first document in which the existence of two Captains Regent, at that time called "Consules", appears is dated 12 December 1243 or 1244 (the conditions of the document do not allow to establish exactly the year). Back then Filippo da Sterpeto and Oddone di Scarito were "Consuls". However, it is assumed that the institution's origins can be even older.

To be nominated Captains Regent you must be an original San Marino citizen and be at least 25 years old. The age requirement was set as early as the 17th century Statutes. Furthermore, it is possible to be re-elected only after three years from the expiry of the mandate. At the end of the assignment, the Captains Regent are submitted to the Syndicate, which has the task of judging them both for the doing and for the not doing according to possible appeals that could be presented by any citizen.

Regency is the highest expression of the State and of democracy. In fact, at the end of the semester, with great simplicity, they go back to being an ordinary citizen, without any privilege.

The investiture day has a special place in the heart of all San Marino citizens and it also has a strong appeal to visitors who can "see with their own eyes" a fundamental moment for the history and institutions of the Republic.

It is possible to attend the event in the streets and squares of the Old Town of San Marino. From the early hours of the morning, the military corps line up in front of the Public Palace for the flag-raising. Followed by the parades and the rites provided for in detail already by the Statutes of the 1600s. The Captains Regent, escorted by the Council Guard and preceded by the Military Band and the Militia, parade together with the Government Authorities, the Diplomatic and Consular Corps, Military Authorities, Civil and Religious Authorities and Guests of the Republic. A ceremony that harmoniously blends important secular and religious aspects. In addition to the institutional moments at Valloni Palace and Public Palace the protocol provides for the religious rite at the Basilica of Saint Marinus.

Programme

9.30
Military Corps deployment and flag-raising in Piazza della Libertà

9.45
Military Corps deployment in front of Palazzo Valloni in Contrada Omerelli

10.40
Procession of elected Captains Regent from Palazzo Valloni to the Public Palace. The elected Captains Regent enter the Council of the XII Chamber and pay homage to the incumbent Captains Regent.

10.55
Procession of elected Captains Regent, the elected Captains Regent and  their entourage from the Public Palace to the Basilica of Saint Marinus, where the religious rite is celebrated. At the entrance to the Basilica, the Chaplain and the Massari of the Saint will be waiting

11.55
Return of the procession to the Public Palace, where the Official Prayer is said and the elected Captains Regent take an oath and receive an investiture. The Military Band performs the National Anthem. The outgoing Captains Regent pay homage to the incumbent Captains Regent.

12.45
Procession of Their Excellencies the Captains Regent and their entourage from the Public Palace to Palazzo Valloni.

13.00
Piazza della Libertà. Deployment of the Military Corps and lowering of the flag.

The programme could be subject to variations