Emanuele Filiberto di Savoia, claimant to the former Italian throne, has asked President Sergio Mattarella to repatriate the remains of his grandparents.
The request seeks to end a decades-long separation between the former royal family and Italy. By returning the remains of King Umberto II and Queen Maria José to the Pantheon in Rome, the family aims to close a historical chapter and honor their memory.
This appeal comes 80 years [1] after the exile of King Umberto II, which occurred in 1946 [1]. The transition from a monarchy to a republic in the mid-20th century led to the displacement of the House of Savoy, creating a long-standing rift between the former sovereigns and the Italian state.
Filiberto said in an interview with RAI News, "Spero che il tempo della serenità sia arrivato," which translates to "I hope the time of serenity has arrived."
He specifically requested that the president allow the remains to be interred in the Pantheon, a site of immense historical and national significance in the heart of Rome. Filiberto said, "Che consenta che le spoglie di Umberto II e di Maria José possano tornare in Italia e riposare al Pantheon."
The request emphasizes a desire for reconciliation. Filiberto said the time for serenity has arrived, suggesting that the political and social tensions surrounding the monarchy's exit from power have subsided enough to permit a symbolic return.
“"I hope the time of serenity has arrived"”
This request represents a symbolic attempt to reconcile Italy's monarchical past with its republican present. While the House of Savoy remains a point of historical contention for some, the move to inter the remains in the Pantheon would signal a formal state recognition of the former royals as part of Italy's national heritage rather than as political exiles.
