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Drama in the former royal familyFight for Italy's crown! These cousins are tearing each other apart
Who is the boss? About Aimone di Savoia…
picture alliance / Sipa USA / SGP
The Italian royal family no longer has anything to say and yet there is a dispute about who is actually in charge there. Two cousins argue about leadership – and are adamant. The press accuses them of “loss of reality and delusion.”
In the former Italian royal house of Savoy, a dispute over the leadership of the family that has been simmering for years has flared up again. Aimone di Savoia confirmed in a statement his claim as head of the house that provided the kings of Italy between 1861 and 1946. In doing so, he opposed his cousin Emanuele Filiberto di Savoia, who also sees himself as the rightful head of the former royal family.
Since 2006 there has been a dispute over who is the head of the House of Savoy and therefore the legitimate successor to the last Italian king, Umberto II. His son Vittorio Emanuele was deposed as head of the house against his will that year after several scandals and another arrest by a committee to protect the honor of the Savoys. The committee replaced him with his cousin Amedeo di Savoia-Aosta.
…or Emanuele Filiberto di Savoia?
REUTERS/Yara Nardi
After his death in 2021, his son Aimone claimed the title of head. However, since Vittorio Emanuele's death in 2024, his son Emanuele Filiberto sees himself as boss. Since then, the two cousins have been bitterly opposed to each other for leadership of the dynasty.
In his most recent statement, Aimone accuses his cousin of violating the dynasty's traditional rules and acting on his own authority. At the same time, he emphasizes that the dispute is damaging the family's reputation. He also suggested to his cousin that they temporarily “freeze” the rival claims and noble titles and share tasks and representative roles. But Emanuele Filiberto rejected this.
Out of respect for the laws of the house, Aimone sees herself as “obliged to affirm and confirm my dynastic status and my role as head of the house with all its prerogatives”.
The Italians abolished their monarchy in a referendum in 1946 and opted for a republic. The conflict in the House of Savoy therefore has no political significance. In Italy, the latest family dispute is viewed with suspicion. The Italian newspaper “La Stampa” accused the two cousins of “loss of reality and blindness to the problems and fears of the future of the population” in view of current crises.
Sources used: ses/dpa
