Vittorio Emanuele of Savoy, who has died aged 86, would have been King of Italy but for the monarchy’s abolition in 1946 when he was nine; circumstance and character subsequently condemned the former Crown Prince to a life of exile and squalid controversy.
The royals, who were exiled from Italy after the Second World War, want their jewels returned to them from the Bank of Italy in Rome. Pictured: The grandson of Italy s last King with his wife.
Italy s former royal family, who were exiled from Italy after the Second World War until 2002, want their collection of tiaras, necklaces, brooches and earrings returned from a vault in the Bank of Italy.
After Mussolini Who?
Says this writer: II Duce is tottering. Italy is ripe for revolt, awaits only a leader and an allied invasion March 15 1943 GEORGE W. HERALD
After Mussolini Who?
Says this writer: II Duce is tottering. Italy is ripe for revolt, awaits only a leader and an allied invasion
GEORGE W. HERALD
This article was written befare Mussolini’s recent spectacular purge of his cabinet, and suggests why there occurred a shakeup so drastic that Count Ciano ceased to be foreign minister and became Ambassador to the Vatican; that Prince Umberto, according tosome reports,was away to the Russian front; and that “resignations” were received from a total of nine cabinet ministers and seven undersecretaries.
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However, even with the artistic and independent-minded Marie-José by his side, republicans narrowly won the vote.
Born Princess Marie-José Charlotte Sophie Amélie Henriette Gabrielle of Belgium on 4 August 1906, the last Queen of Italy was the youngest child and only daughter of the future King Albert I of Belgium and Duchess Elisabeth of Bavaria.
She had a passion for arts and music, studying the violin under ‘The King of the Violin’ Eugène Ysaÿe, and found life in the court of Savoy stiflingly boring.
Eventually Marie-José (thought to be pictured during her engagement photo shoot with her prince) plotted against the fascist dictator, attempting to negotiate a peace with the US through a secret meeting with the future Pope Paul VI and supplying the Italian Resistance with both money and arms