He declared himself King of Italy and has long fought a rule in Italy’s constitution that bars all male family members from returning to Italy.
Vittorio Emanuele finally returned to Italy in November 2022 after the ban was lifted by Congress, and just before Christmas he made a short visit to Rome and had an audience with Pope John Paul.
However, the House of Savoy’s image was tarnished by its association with World War II-era fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, and they received a lukewarm reception upon their return.
His own reputation was tarnished in 1978 when he was accused of accidentally shooting dead 19-year-old German Dirk Hamer in a Corsican port.
Mr. Hamer was sleeping below the deck of the boat when Vittorio Emanuele’s gun went off during an altercation with a vacationer. Hammer never recovered and died from his injuries several months later.
Vittorio Emanuele was eventually acquitted of murder by a French court in 1991 and given a suspended sentence for illegally possessing a rifle.
Hammer’s family had long contested the ruling, but the case received new attention after it became the centerpiece of the recent Netflix documentary “The Missing King.”
The prince faced further legal problems in 2006 when he was arrested on the order of a magistrate in the southern Italian town of Potenza on charges of extortion and involvement in prostitution. He was acquitted at trial.
While in custody at Potenza, he was recorded bragging to his cellmates that he had deceived the French judges in the Harmer case. Vittorio Emanuele disputed the authenticity of the video.
shah’s friend
He married Swiss water skiing champion and heiress Marina Doria in 1971, and they lived for many years in a luxurious villa on the shores of Lake Geneva.
As a young man, he worked as a salesman in the helicopter business of Italy’s Agusta company, and through business dealings developed a friendship with the Shah of Iran. His wedding took place in Tehran.
While in exile, Vittorio Emanuele was one of more than 900 members of Propaganda 2 (P2), an illegal and secret Masonic lodge that was at the center of many Italian scandals in the second half of the 20th century. was appointed in 1981.
His grandfather, Victor Emmanuel III, abdicated in favor of his son Umberto, just before the 1946 referendum, in a futile last attempt to save the monarchy.
However, Vittorio Emanuele’s parents, Umberto II and Maria José, ruled Italy for just over a month before the family entered a long period of exile.
Vittorio Emanuele is survived by his wife and son Emanuele Filiberto, who will relinquish his right to the Italian throne in 2023 when he feels his daughter Vittoria is ready to take on the challenge. He said he would prioritize his daughter Vittoria.