Vittorio Emanuele di Savoia, son of Umberto II, the last king of Italy, has died. He would have been 87 years old on February 12.
Vittorio Emanuele died in Geneva, surrounded by his family, as the “Royal House of Savoy” had announced. Location and date of the funeral will be announced soon.
The male descendants of the royal family were exiled after the end of the monarchy in Italy in 1946. The Italian parliament only lifted the travel ban in 2002. King Umberto’s son Vittorio Emanuele and his son Emanuele Filiberto, who spent most of their time in exile in Switzerland, renounced their claim to the throne.
During the High Middle Ages, the House of Savoy ruled Savoy, located in parts of modern-day Italy, France and modern-day Switzerland, and Piedmont in northern Italy. The house housed the kings of Italy between 1861 and 1946.
Son of the “May King”
Vittorio Emanuele’s father Umberto II became King of Italy on May 10, 1946. About a month later, the monarchy was abolished through a referendum. King Umberto II and his family had to leave the country and move to Switzerland – hence the name “May King”. Officially, the late Vittorio Emanuele was crown prince for only a month. He spent most of his life outside Italy.
Vittorio Emanuele has caused a stir several times in the past with scandals. In 1978 there was a dispute in the marina on an island off the coast of Corsica. Shots were reportedly fired from Vittorio Emanuele’s gun. A German tourist was hit and later died. Another time, the indisposed crown prince was investigated for exploitation of prostitutes and corruption. He recently sued the Italian state to obtain the return of the house’s jewelry. (sda/apa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
