Saturday, February 17, 2024

🚀 Prince Amedeo of Savoy, Duke of Aosta: A Life of Royalty and Legacy

Prince Amedeo of Savoy, the 5th Duke of Aosta, has left an indelible mark on European royalty with his remarkable life and legacy. Born in 1943, Amedeo was a member of the House of Savoy, a royal family with a rich history dating back to the 11th century. His lineage is steeped in nobility, tracing back to prominent figures such as King Louis Philippe of France, German Emperor Friedrich III, King George I of Greece, and Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom.

Throughout his life, Prince Amedeo was deeply involved in the royal circles of Europe, maintaining close relationships with his first cousins, including King Michael of Romania, King Constantine II of Greece, Queen Sofía of Spain, and Queen Alexandra of Yugoslavia. His marriage to Princess Silvia in 1987 further solidified his connections within the royal family. The Duke of Aosta's passing on June 1, 2024, marks the end of an era, leaving behind a legacy of love, loyalty, and dedication to his family and the royal traditions he cherished.

what was prince amedeo of savoy's role in the royal family

Prince Amedeo of Savoy, the 5th Duke of Aosta, held a significant role within the royal family of Italy. He was a claimant to the headship of the House of Savoy, the royal family that ruled Italy from 1861 to 1946. Additionally, he was a first cousin of King Constantine II of Greece, King Michael of Romania, Queen Sofía of Spain, and Queen Alexandra of Yugoslavia, emphasizing his connections within the European royal circles.

what was prince amedeo of savoy's relationship with the king of italy

Prince Amedeo of Savoy, the 5th Duke of Aosta, was a claimant to the headship of the House of Savoy, the royal family that ruled Italy from 1861 to 1946. He was a first cousin of King Constantine II of Greece, King Michael of Romania, Queen Sofía of Spain, and Queen Alexandra of Yugoslavia.

did prince amedeo of savoy have any children

Prince Amedeo of Savoy, the 5th Duke of Aosta, had three children from his first marriage to Princess Claude of Orléans: Princess Bianca of Savoy-Aosta Prince Aimone, the new Duke of Aosta, married to Princess Olga of Greece Princess Mafalda of Savoy-Aosta.

The Duke of Aosta.
Prince Amedeo, Duke of Aosta, speaking with his first cousin King Michael of Romania at Sinaia. Queen Anne-Marie of Greece and Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia are in the background.
King Juan Carlos of Spain with Prince Amedeo and Princess Silvia, Duke and Duchess of Aosta, as well as Prince Aimone, Duke of Apulia and his then-fiancée Princess Olga of Greece, 2008.

Today, 1 June, Prince Amedeo of Savoy, 5th Duke of Aosta, died after going into cardiac arrest at San Donato Hospital in Arezzo. Earlier this year, Prince Amedeo had undergone major surgery at a clinic in Milan, after which he returned home to Castiglion Fibocchi. On 27 May, Amedeo was admitted to San Donato Hospital in Arezzo for minor surgery, which was completed successfully. He had been scheduled for release today; however, he suffered a fatal heart attack this morning. The announcement of the death of Prince Amedeo was made by the Aosta branch of the Royal House of Savoy. The Duke of Aosta was seventy-seven years-old. Amedeo was a first cousin of King Constantine II of the Hellenes, King Michael of Romania, Queen Sofía of Spain, and Queen Alexandra of Yugoslavia. He descended from King Louis Philippe of the French, German Emperor Friedrich III, King George I of the Hellenes, and Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom.

 
Princess Irene, Duchess of Aosta, with her infant son Prince Amedeo in 1943.
Irene and Amedeo.
Prince Amedeo and his mother Princess Irene.
 
On 27 September 1943, Prince Amedeo Umberto Constantino Giorgio Paolo Elena Maria Fiorenzo Zvonimir of Savoy-Aosta was born at Florence. Amedeo was the only child of Prince Aimone of Savoy (1900-1948), 4th Duke of Aosta and erstwhile King of Croatia as Tomislav II, and his wife Princess Irene of Greece and Denmark (1904-1974), who married in 1939. Amedeo’s paternal grandparents were Prince Emanuele Filiberto, 2nd Duke of Aosta, and Princess Hélène d’Orléans. Amedeo’s maternal grandparents were King Constantine I of the Hellenes and Princess Sophie of Prussia. At the time of his birth, King Vittorio Emanuele III was the Italian monarch, and little Prince Amedeo was fourth in the line of succession to the Italian throne after the Prince of Piedmont, the Prince of Naples, and his father Aimone.
The engagement between Prince Amedeo, Duke of Aosta, and his second cousin Princess Claude d'Orléans was announced in September 1963. Princess Claude (b.Larache, Morocco 11 December 1943) was the ninth child and fifth daughter of Prince Henri, Count of Paris, and Princess Isabelle of Orléans-Braganza.
Prince Amedeo and Princess Claude were married on 22 July 1964 at Sintra, Portugal, in a beautiful ceremony attended by a myriad of their relatives and friends. King Umberto II of Italy was one of the chief guests.
 
Amedeo of Aosta and Claude d’Orléans were the parents of three children, one son and two daughters: Princess Bianca of Savoy-Aosta (b.Florence 2 April 1966; married in 1988 to Count Giberto Arrivabene-Valenti-Gonzaga; five children: Viola [b.1991], Vera [b.1993], Mafalda [b.1997], Maddalena [b.2000], and Leonardo [b.2001]); Prince Aimone of Savoy-Aosta, Duke of Apulia (b.Florence 13 October 1967; married in 2008 to Princess Olga of Greece; three children: Prince Umberto [b.2009], Prince Amedeo [b.2011], and Princess Isabella [b.2012]); and Princess Mafalda of Savoy-Aosta (b.Florence 20 September 1969; married 1stly in 1994 [divorced] to don Alessandro Ruffo di Calabria; married 2ndly in 2001 to Nobile Francesco Lombardo di San Chirico; three children: Anna [b.1999], Carlo [b.2001], and Elena [b.2003]). In addition to his three children with Princess Claude, the Duke of Aosta was also the father of Don Piero Incisa della Rocchetta (b.Florence 30 November 1967) with Nobile Nerina Corsini (1942-2014) and Ginevra van Ellinkhuizen (b.Milan 16 March 2006) with Kyara van Ellinkhuizen (b.1967).
 
 
 
The marital union of Amedeo and Claude deteriorated. The couple separated on 20 July 1976, they then obtained a civil divorce on 26 April 1982, and, finally, an annulment from the Holy See was granted on 8 January 1987. 
The wedding of Prince Amedeo and Princess Silvia, Duke and Duchess of Aosta, 1987.
Prince Amedeo and Princess Silvia, Duke and Duchess of Aosta.
Amedeo and Silvia.
 
On 30 March 1987, Prince Amedeo, Duke of Aosta married donna Silvia Paternò di Spedalotto dei Marchesi di Reggiovanni (b.Palermo 31 December 1953). The couple did not have children. After a marriage of thirty-four years, Princess Silvia of Savoy, Duchess of Aosta, is a widow. Prince Amedeo is survived by his wife Princess Silvia, his five children, and his eleven grandchildren. The funeral of Prince Amedeo, Duke of Aosta, will take on Friday, 4 June, at 11:30 AM in Florence at the Chiesa di San Miniato al Monte.
 
Prince Amedeo and Princess Silvia, Duke and Duchess of Aosta, with Amedeo's first cousins Princess Maria Cristina of Bourbon-Two Sicilies and Archduchess Margherita of Austria-Este.
Amedeo of Savoy with his first wife Claude d'Orléans, his second wife Silvia, and ten of his eleven grandchildren, 2016. 
Prince Amedeo, Duke of Aosta, with his son Prince Aimone, Duke of Apulia.
 
Per arrangements made prior to his death, Prince Amedeo of Savoy will be buried in Tuscany. However, whenever Princess Silvia passes away, the couple will both be buried at Superga in Turin. 

As we conclude our reflection on the life and legacy of Prince Amedeo of Savoy, we are reminded of the profound impact he had on the royal circles of Europe. His remarkable journey, marked by both triumph and adversity, serves as a testament to the enduring power of family and tradition. Through his unwavering dedication to his heritage and his people, Prince Amedeo left an indelible mark on the world, inspiring generations to come. As we bid farewell to this remarkable individual, we are left with a profound sense of gratitude for the lessons he taught us about resilience, loyalty, and the importance of preserving our cultural heritage.

As we move forward, we are reminded that the legacy of Prince Amedeo of Savoy will continue to inspire and guide us. His story serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring power of family, tradition, and the unwavering commitment to one's heritage. We are honored to have had the opportunity to share his remarkable journey with you and hope that it has inspired you to reflect on the importance of preserving our cultural heritage. May the lessons of Prince Amedeo continue to inspire and guide us as we navigate the complexities of our world, and may his memory be a blessing to all who knew him.

what was prince amedeo of savoy's contribution to the house of savoy

Prince Amedeo of Savoy, the 5th Duke of Aosta, made significant contributions to the House of Savoy, a royal house that ruled Italy from 1861 to 1946. He was a claimant to the headship of the House of Savoy, and his efforts to assert his claim were marked by controversy and dispute. Despite these challenges, Prince Amedeo remained committed to his family's legacy and the preservation of their traditions. Prince Amedeo's contributions to the House of Savoy were multifaceted. He was a strong advocate for the continuation of the royal family's historical traditions and the preservation of their cultural heritage. He was also involved in various philanthropic and charitable activities, reflecting the House of Savoy's long-standing commitment to public service and social welfare. In addition, Prince Amedeo played a significant role in maintaining the House of Savoy's connections with other European royal families. His marriage to Princess Silvia and his relationships with his first cousins, including King Constantine II of Greece, King Michael of Romania, Queen Sofía of Spain, and Queen Alexandra of Yugoslavia, underscored the enduring bonds between the royal families of Europe. Prince Amedeo's legacy within the House of Savoy is complex and contested. While some monarchists recognized him as the rightful head of the House of Savoy, others continued to support his cousin, Prince Vittorio Emanuele, who had been designated as the head of the House of Savoy by Umberto II before his death. Despite these divisions, Prince Amedeo's dedication to his family's heritage and his commitment to preserving their traditions will be remembered as a significant part of his contribution to the House of Savoy.

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