Line of succession to the former Italian throne

The Italian monarchy was abolished in June 1946 following a referendum which established a republic. The present pretender is in dispute between Vittorio Emanuele, Prince of Naples and Prince Amedeo, Duke of Aosta.

Vittorio Emanuele is the son of the last King Umberto II and was regarded as the head of the House of Savoy unopposed until 7 July 2006 when the Duke of Aosta declared himself to be the head of the house and Duke of Savoy.

The heirs to his claim, in order of succession, are numbered below:

The Duke of Aosta claims that because Vittorio Emanuele married in violation of the House of Savoy's dynastic law he forfeited his dynastic rights. Aldo Alessandro Mola, president of the former Council of the Senators of the Kingdom published a declaration in favour of Amedeo's claim; and he also received the support of Vittorio Emanuele's sister Princess Maria Gabriella of Savoy.

The heirs to his claim, in order of succession, are numbered below:

On 21 May 2004 blows were struck in Madrid between the Crown Prince and the Duke of Aosta. At a soirée held at the Zarzuela Palace during the wedding celebrations of the Prince of Asturias, Amedeo approached Vittorio who reportedly punched him twice in the face, causing him to stumble backward down the steps. The quick intervention of the former Queen of the Hellenes, who propped him up, prevented the Duke from falling to the ground. She discreetly assisted him indoors while staunching his bleeding face until first aid was administered. Upon learning of the incident, King Juan Carlos I of Spain, a cousin of both men, reportedly declared that "never again" would an opportunity to abuse his hospitality be afforded the competing pretenders. The Queen's quick action avoided what might have been more serious injury to Amedeo and a public escalation of the confrontation.

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Wikipedia