TURIN, Italy – Hundreds of mourners attended the funeral in the northern Italian city of Turin on Saturday for Vittorio Emanuele, Duke of Savoy, the only son of Italy’s last king, who died last week at the age of 86.
Monaco’s Grand Duke Albert and Spain’s former Queen Sofia were among those in attendance at the city’s main cathedral, while a small group of well-wishers outside chanted slogans such as “Safe travels, Prince.” They braved the rain holding up placards that read “.
A message of condolence from Pope Francis was also read, but interest in the service was limited in Italy, reflecting the fact that Vittorio Emanuele lived in exile in Switzerland for most of his life.
Her son Emanuele Filiberto, 51, bent down and kissed the coffin as it was placed in a hearse. On either side of him stood his mother Marina Doria, Vittorio Emanuele’s widow.
Born in the southern Italian city of Naples, Vittorio Emanuele left his hometown at a young age when his father, King Umberto II, was forced into exile following the 1946 referendum that abolished the monarchy and established a republic.
Vittorio Emanuele 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.
After Congress lifted the ban, he finally returned to Italian soil in 2002, making a brief visit to Rome and having an audience with Pope John Paul.
However, upon his return he received a cold reception. The House of Savoy’s image had been tarnished by its association with World War II-era fascist dictator Benito Mussolini and Vittorio Emanuele’s own legal troubles.Reuters