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Lot Essay
King Umberto II of Italy
Born Prince of Piedmont, son of King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy and Elena Petrovich of Montenegro, he became commander in chief of the Army early in his military career. His role was merely formal, the real power being at the time in the hands of Benito Mussolini. Following the overthrow of the latter in 1943, King Victor Emmanuel III handed over his constitutional functions to his son Umberto, who was made Lieutenant General of the Realm and earned widespread recognition for his role in the following three years. Umberto succeeded his father in May 1946, becoming the last King of Italy, albeit only for a period of thirty-three days. King Umberto lived subsequently for 37 years in exile, first in Switzerland and later in Portugal.
Born Prince of Piedmont, son of King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy and Elena Petrovich of Montenegro, he became commander in chief of the Army early in his military career. His role was merely formal, the real power being at the time in the hands of Benito Mussolini. Following the overthrow of the latter in 1943, King Victor Emmanuel III handed over his constitutional functions to his son Umberto, who was made Lieutenant General of the Realm and earned widespread recognition for his role in the following three years. Umberto succeeded his father in May 1946, becoming the last King of Italy, albeit only for a period of thirty-three days. King Umberto lived subsequently for 37 years in exile, first in Switzerland and later in Portugal.