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full screen Italy’s last crown prince, Victor Emanuel of Savoy (here on the left in the picture), has died. In the middle is his wife Marina Doria and on the right is his son Emanuele Filiberto. The picture was taken in 2002. Stock image. Photo: Edi Engeler/Keystone/AP/TT
Victor Emmanuel of Savoy – Italy’s last crown prince – has died at the age of 86.
The Princely House of Savoy issued the death notice early Saturday morning, Italian media reports.
Victor Emanuel was the only son of Italy’s last king, Umberto II, who was forced to abdicate the Italian throne in 1946. Then the Italians voted for the country to be a republic, whereupon the deposed king and his male heirs were exiled for life.
Victor Emanuel was the king’s only son and titled himself Duke of Savoy and Prince of Naples. He lived his life in exile and was the subject of high-profile scandals and numerous criminal charges over the years. In 2002, a new constitution came into force that allowed him to return to Italy, but in doing so he also renounced his claim to an Italian throne.
The former crown prince died in Geneva, Switzerland, shortly before his 87th birthday.
His 51-year-old son Emanuele Filiberto, who calls himself Prince of Venice, becomes the new head of the family.
The House of Savoy became Italy’s royal dynasty in connection with the unification of the country and the introduction of the monarchy in 1861.