“the vastest education programme Italy has ever seen”
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Umberto II of Italy
Umberto II was the last king of Italy. Umberto's reign lasted for 34 days, from 9 May 1946 until his formal deposition on 12 June 1946, although he had been the de facto head of state since 1944. Due to his short reign, he was nicknamed the May King.
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politics · King of Italy in 1946 · military personnel · monarch · sovereign · also Umberto II of Italy, Humbert II of Italy, King Humbert, Umberto II, Italy
Born 15 September 1904 · Died 18 March 1983 · Q187149
42 published statements · 0 followers
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2026· 5 entries
“patterned on the British monarchy, and at the same time incorporating as much of America”
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NPR: A good – and bad – week for Italy's art police and museum security
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The Guardian: Italy votes to become a republic – archive, 1946
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Public attention spiked: 3,527 Wikipedia readers in one day, 3.4× the usual 1,045, with 0 article edits. Coverage that week: “Italy votes to become a republic – archive, 1946” (The Guardian).
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1983· 14 entries
Died 1983-03-18.
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“Ripenso alle ultime ore a Roma, a quando mi fu detto che allontanandomi per poco dalla città tutto sarebbe stato più semplice e invece: quel "trucco" che non voglio qui definire in termini "appropriati!”
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“La repubblica si può reggere col cinquantun per cento; la monarchia no. [...] La monarchia non è mai un partito. È un istituto mistico, irrazionale, capace di suscitare negli uomini, sudditi e principi, incredibili volontà di sacrificio... Non deve essere costretta a difendersi giorno per giorno dalle insidie e dalle accuse. Deve essere un simbolo caro o non è nulla.”
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“La mia partenza dall'Italia doveva essere una lontananza di qualche tempo in attesa che le passioni si placassero. Poi pensavo di poter tornare per dare anch'io, umilmente e senza avallare turbamenti dell'ordine pubblico, il mio apporto all'opera di pacificazione e di ricostruzione.”
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“Mai firmerei, anche a costo della rinuncia al Trono, un trattato di pace che comportasse la perdita di Trieste.”
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“È stato il giorno peggiore della mia vita. Ho pianto, quando ho lasciato Roma.”
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“Ogni giorno che passa, l'esilio mi è sempre più amaro.”
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“Con la libertà tutto è possibile, senza libertà tutto è perduto”
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“Mai si parlò di esilio, da parte di nessuno. Né mai, io almeno, ci avevo pensato.”
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“Voleva dare all'Italia un progetto per lo sviluppo democratico: grazie a lui la donna votò per la prima volta. (Vittorio Emanuele di Savoia)”
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“In Portogallo papà aveva sempre una automobile Fiat a disposizione: un gesto gentile, perché non aveva mezzi. (Vittorio Emanuele di Savoia)”
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“È il primo re sabaudo che parla e pensa in italiano, e non in piemontese. (Carlo Sforza)”
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“È facile apparire intelligenti, quando si è belli! (Vittorio Emanuele III di Savoia)”
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“Le monarchie sono come i sogni. O si ricordano subito o non si ricordano più.”
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1954· 1 entry
Which became known as the "Cruise of the Kings" and was attended by over 100 royals from all over Europe
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1946· 2 entries
“[Al nipote Amedeo] Ricordati che nel 1946, quando lasciai la Patria, sollevai tutti dall'obbligo del giuramento: l'Italia innanzitutto, la forma istituzionale non importa. L'Italia esiste, quindi giura.”
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Career landmark: monarch of Italy (1946–1946).
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1944· 5 entries
Was described as a city without cats or dogs which had all been eaten by the Neapolitans, while much of the female population of Naples turned to prostitution to survive
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“to be a very congenial companion whose intelligence he respected, but was afraid that he suited his conversation according to his company”
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Victor Emmanuel, compromised by his association with Italian fascism and desperate to repair the monarchy's image, transferred most of his powers to Umberto
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And named him Lieutenant General (Luogotenente) of the Realm; while retaining the title of King
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That a popular vote would ensure a republic immediately, and sources from the Vatican suggested to him that only 25% of Italians favoured continuing the monarchy
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1943· 2 entries
Marie José, Princess of Piedmont, involved herself in vain attempts to arrange a separate peace treaty between Italy and the United States
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Career landmark: steward (1943–1946).
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1942· 1 entry
Was promoted to Marshal of Italy but was otherwise inactive as an army commander during much of World War II
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1941· 1 entry
And would not revert to Italian rule, while the Allies had promised that Yugoslavia would be restored to its pre-war frontiers after the war
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1940· 3 entries
Commanded an army group during the brief Italian invasion of France shortly before the French capitulation
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Had become such an utter catastrophe for the Italian people by 1943, it had the effect of discrediting all those associated with the Fascist system, including Victor Emmanuel
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But did not warn Mussolini against entering the war
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1935· 2 entries
Awarded Royal Victorian Chain (1935).
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Umberto supported the war against the Ethiopian Empire, which he called a "legitimate war" that even Giovanni Giolitti would have supported had he still been alive
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1928· 1 entry
After the colonial authorities in Italian Somaliland built Mogadishu Cathedral (Cattedrale di Mogadiscio), Umberto made his first publicised visit to Mogadishu, the territory's capital
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1926· 1 entry
Mussolini passed a law allowing the Fascist Grand Council to decide the succession, though in practice he admitted the prince would succeed his father
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1923· 1 entry
Won Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece (1923).
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1922· 2 entries
Awarded Knight of the Order of the Elephant (1922).
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His father had felt that appointing Benito Mussolini as prime minister was a "justifiable risk"
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1904· 1 entry
Born 1904-09-15.
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