He was Italy’s last crown prince – and made headlines primarily with scandals. Now Vittorio Emanuele of Savoy is dead. The son of the former King Umberto II died at the age of 86.
Prince Vittorio Emanuele of Savoy has died at the age of 86. The son of the last Italian king Umberto II died early this morning surrounded by his family in Geneva, the Italian news agencies Ansa and Adnkronos reported, citing the House of Savoy.
Vittorio Emanuele was officially the last crown prince of Italy and for a long time the head of the house. However, he lost the title in 2006 in a dispute with his cousin Prince Amedeo. Today it is presided over by Aimone of Savoy and Aosta.
Crown Prince for just a month
During the High Middle Ages, the House of Savoy ruled over 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.
Vittorio Emanuele’s father Umberto II became King of Italy on May 10, 1946. About a month later, the monarchy was abolished in a referendum. King Umberto II and his family had to leave the country and moved to Switzerland. Officially, Vittorio Emanuele, who has now died, was only crown prince for a month.
Living largely in exile
Vittorio Emanuele spent most of his life outside Italy. In 2002 he was finally allowed to return to Italy from exile in Switzerland – but only after he gave up his long-standing refusal to swear loyalty to the republic. The Italian Parliament had previously voted to lift his exile.
In the past, Vittorio Emanuele has caused a stir several times with scandals. In 1978 there was a dispute in the marina on an island off Corsica. Shots are said to have been fired from Vittorio Emanuele’s rifle. A German tourist was hit and later died. Another time, the prevented crown prince was investigated for exploiting prostitutes and corruption. Most recently, he sued the Italian state to obtain the return of the house’s jewels.