Prinz Victor Emmanuel von Savoyen gestorben
Published: Saturday, Feb 3rd 2024, 13:40
Updated At: Saturday, Feb 3rd 2024, 13:40
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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 announced by the "Royal House of Savoy". The place and date of the funeral will be announced shortly.
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 entry 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.
In the High Middle Ages, the House of Savoy ruled over Savoy, which is located in parts of modern-day Italy, France and Switzerland, and Piedmont in northern Italy. The house provided 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. Around a month later, the monarchy was abolished in a referendum. King Umberto II and his family had to leave the country and move to Switzerland - hence the name "May King". Officially, the now deceased Vittorio Emanuele was therefore only crown prince for one month. He spent the majority of his life outside Italy.
In the past, Vittorio Emanuele had caused a stir several times with scandals. In 1978, an argument broke out in the marina of an island off Corsica. Shots are said to have been fired from Vittorio Emanuele's rifle. A German tourist was hit and later died. On another occasion, the thwarted crown prince was investigated for exploiting prostitutes and corruption. Most recently, he sued the Italian state to obtain the return of the jewels of the house.
©Keystone/SDA
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