The heirs of Italy’s last king, Umberto II, prepare to go to court to retrieve the royal jewels kept in the Central Bank vault since the monarchy was overthrown in 1946.
2. Umberto’s children, Vittorio Emanuele, Maria Gabriella, Maria Pia and Maria Beatrice, apply to the judiciary after their negotiations with the government and Central Bank representatives failed.
Finally, upon the failure to reach an agreement in the meetings held yesterday, the family’s lawyer sent a warning to the state institutions and demanded that the jewels be returned within 10 days.
Sergio Orlandi, the lawyer of the heirs of the Savoia dynasty, announced that if their demands are not met within 10 days, they will apply to the judiciary and initiate legal action against the Prime Ministry, the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank.
Estimated value up to 300 million euros
The children of Italy’s last king argue that these “personal” jewels were not among the royal property confiscated by the state after the abolition of the monarchy. The family alleges that Umberto II had the jewels put in a safe deposit box to protect them.
The Italian government, on the other hand, argues that the jewels are not the personal belongings of royal family members.
Although the exact value of the jewels is not known, estimates range from a few million to 300 million euros, according to reports in the Italian press. Crowns, necklaces, earrings and brooches decorated with 6732 diamonds and 2,000 pearls are said to be in the royal treasury.
After Italy’s transition from a monarchy to a republic by popular vote in 1946, the royal property was confiscated by the state. The Crown Jewels, on the other hand, passed under the auspices of the Central Bank on June 5, 1946, 3 days after the referendum on June 2, 1946. King Umberto II and male members of the family were also exiled a few days later.
The ban on entry to Italy for male members of the dynasty was lifted in 2002. 2. Umberto died in Geneva in 1983.