In the northern Italian city of Turin, mourners gathered to attend the funeral of Vittorio Emanuele of Savoy, the only son of Italy’s last king who passed away at the age of 86.
Notable figures such as Prince Albert of Monaco and Spain’s former Queen Sofia were in attendance at the city’s main cathedral. Despite the rain, small groups of well-wishers held up placards outside the cathedral with messages such as “Safe Journey, Prince”.
A message of condolence from Pope Francis was also read out during the service. However, the funeral only received limited interest in Italy, reflecting Vittorio Emanuele’s long time living in exile in Switzerland.
Emanuele Filiberto, Vittorio Emanuele’s 51-year-old son, kissed the coffin as it was placed into a hearse. He was accompanied by his mother, Marina Doria, Vittorio Emanuele’s widow.
Born in Naples, Vittorio Emanuele left Italy as a child when his father Umberto II was forced to depart following the 1946 national referendum that abolished the monarchy and established a republic.
Vittorio Emanuele had declared himself King of Italy and had long battled against the rule in the Italian Constitution which barred all male members of his family from returning to the country.
In 2002, he finally returned to Italian soil after parliament lifted the ban. He travelled to Rome for a brief visit and an audience with Pope John Paul.
However, his return met a cool reception as the House of Savoy’s image had been tarnished by its association with fascist dictator Benito Mussolini during World War Two, and Vittorio Emanuele’s own legal problems.
(Reporting by Massimo Pinca in Turin; Writing by Keith Weir)
