Italy’s former royal family have demanded the return of their crown jewels, reportedly worth £250million, that were taken away from them when the country abolished its monarchy.
Exiled from Italy from 2002 to 2003, the royals want their collection of necklaces, earrings, brooches, and tiaras from Rome’s Bank of Italy returned.
When the Italians decided to abolish the monarchy, the royal House of Savoy was able to take away the collection of the House of Savoy, which included 6,000 diamonds as well as 2,000 pearls.
Italians punished the royal family after they first collaborated with Benito Mussolini, a fascist dictator. They then fled Rome in 1944 to avoid an invasion by the German army.
Ever since, the jewels have been kept by the Bank of Italy and reports suggest they are worth up to £250 million (€300 million).
However, the ex-royal family is asking that the jewels worn by Italian princesses or queens 78 years ago be returned.
49-year-old Prince Emanuele Filiberto from Savoy (pictured in 2014 with Princess Clotilde Courtau) wants the jewels returned to his family
In 1930, Crown Prince Umberto and Princess Marie Jose of Belgium were married.
Queen Marie Jose’s diamond and pearl tiara inherited from Empress Charlotte of Mexico
‘Italy should do what is right and fitting and restore the jewels to my family,’ Prince Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy, 49, told the Telegraph.
He said, “The monetary value is not important to us.” It is important to consider the sentimental and historical value they provide for their family.
Italy is perhaps the only country in the world that the ex-royal families’ private property is not in the control of the State. It’s shameful. It’s shameful that even Russia and Yugoslavia have restored their private property to the royals.
“The jewelry has been kept in a box for over 70 years. They are unlike the Crown Jewels of the Tower of London.
It is time for them to be returned to their heirs.
On Tuesday, lawyers representing the Savoys met with representatives of Bank of England. However, it was not conclusive. The newspaper reported.
Van Cleef & Arpels made the emerald-and-diamond necklace of Queen Marie-Jose in Italy.
Italian queen Marie-Jose’s diamond tiara made of antique diamonds by Faberge in 1895
This process is likely to take a long time and the Bank that was granted the ‘custody ‘of the jewels will need to postpone the decision to the Italian government.
Sergio Orlandi (the family’s lawyer) told Corriere della Sera newspaper that the Savoys will be able to get the jewels back.
Asked if his family would display the jewellery collection in a museum, Prince Filiberto said: ‘We have to take this step by step. The Bank of Italy first must return the jewellery, then the heirs of royal families will decide what they should do with them.
Prince Filiberto is well known in Italy where he currently lives in Milan.
Prince of Venice is now a caterer and claims to have had a six month affair with Kate Moss. He also starred on Ballando Con Le Stelle in Italy, the Italian version of Strictly Come Dancing.
Prince Filiberto was also known as “The Pasta Prince” because he has been running food trucks around Los Angeles.
Prince Filiberto was also known as “The Pasta Prince” because of his work in running food trucks around Los Angeles.
After the Second World War, the men of the once illustrious House of Savoy were sent into exile when Italians voted to end the monarchy.
The King Umberto II of the time fled to Portugal, and never returned to Italy. He passed away in Geneva in 1983 at age 78, while he was being treated with cancer.
In 2002, after 56 years exile, the royals returned to Rome with Prince Vittorio, Italy’s final king and his wife Marina Doria. They also brought their son Filiberto, who was born in Switzerland.
In October 2005, after the Italian parliament approved ending the exile placed on male heirs of royal families, the Italian government decided that the royal family can return to Italy.
He fled to Portugal with Maria Jose, his bride in 1930. He passed away in Geneva in 1983 at age 78, while he was receiving cancer treatment.