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Umberto II

Umberto II
Umberto II, 1944.jpg
Umberto in 1944
King of Italy (more...)
Reign 9 May 1946 – 12 June 1946
Predecessor Victor Emmanuel III
Successor Monarchy abolished
Enrico De Nicola as President
Prime Minister Alcide De Gasperi
Born (1904-09-15)15 September 1904
Racconigi, Italy
Died 18 March 1983(1983-03-18) (aged 78)
Geneva, Switzerland
Burial Hautecombe Abbey, France
Consort Marie José of Belgium
Issue Princess Maria Pia
Vittorio Emanuele, Prince of Naples
Princess Maria Gabriella
Princess Maria Beatrice
Full name
Italian: Umberto Nicola Tommaso Giovanni Maria di Savoia
House Savoy
Father Victor Emmanuel III
Mother Elena of Montenegro
Religion Roman Catholicism
Signature Umberto II of Italy signature
Full name
Italian: Umberto Nicola Tommaso Giovanni Maria di Savoia
Styles of
King Umberto II
Royal Monogram of King Umberto II of Italy.svg
Reference style His Majesty
Spoken style Your Majesty
Alternative style Sir

Umberto II or Humbert II (Italian: Umberto Nicola Tommaso Giovanni Maria di Savoia; 15 September 1904 – 18 March 1983), was the last King of Italy, reigning for slightly over a month, from 9 May 1946 to 12 June 1946. However, he was de facto head of state from 1944 to 1946. He was nicknamed the May King (Italian: Re di Maggio).

Umberto was the only son of the five children of King Victor Emmanuel III and Queen Elena. In an effort to repair the monarchy's image after the fall of Benito Mussolini's regime, Victor Emmanuel transferred his powers to Umberto in 1944 while retaining the title of king. As a referendum was in preparation on the abolition of the monarchy in 1946, Victor Emmanuel abdicated his throne in favour of Umberto in the hope his exit might bolster the monarchy. However, the referendum passed, Italy was declared a republic, and Umberto lived out the rest of his life in exile in Cascais, Portugal.

Umberto was born at the Castle of Racconigi in Piedmont. He was the third child, and the only son, of King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy and Queen Elena of Montenegro. As such, he became heir apparent upon his birth as the Italian throne was limited to male-line descendants only. He was the first cousin of King Alexander I of Yugoslavia. He was accorded with the title of Prince of Piedmont, which was formalised by Royal Decree on 29 September.

Umberto was married in Rome on 8 January 1930 to Marie José of Belgium (1906–2001), daughter of King Albert I of Belgium.


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