# Umberto II of Italy > lieutenant of the Kingdom of Italy and last king of Italy **Wikidata**: [Q187149](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q187149) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umberto_II_of_Italy) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/umberto-ii-of-italy ## Summary Umberto II of Italy was the last king of the Kingdom of Italy and a lieutenant during World War II. He is primarily known for his brief reign in 1946, which ended with the abolition of the Italian monarchy and the establishment of the Italian Republic. ## Biography - Born: September 15, 1904, in Turin, Italy - Nationality: Italian - Education: Military education; no specific academic institutions listed - Known for: Being the last king of Italy and serving as a military officer during World War II - Employer(s): Royal Italian Army, Kingdom of Italy - Field(s): Military, Monarchy ## Contributions Umberto II did not produce scholarly or technical contributions such as publications or patents. His primary contributions were in the form of military service and brief political leadership: - **Military Leadership**: Served as a lieutenant in the Royal Italian Army during World War II, including participation in the Italian invasion of France in 1940. - **Monarchical Role**: Became king of Italy on May 9, 1946, following the abdication of his father, King Victor Emmanuel III. His reign lasted only 34 days, ending with a constitutional referendum that abolished the monarchy. - **Post-Monarchy Life**: Lived in exile in Portugal and later in Geneva, where he engaged in diplomatic and ceremonial roles until his death. ## FAQs ### Who was Umberto II of Italy? Umberto II was the last king of the Kingdom of Italy, reigning briefly from May 9 to June 12, 1946. He was a military officer and the son of King Victor Emmanuel III. ### What role did Umberto II play in World War II? He served as a lieutenant in the Royal Italian Army and participated in military campaigns, including the Italian invasion of France in 1940. ### Why is Umberto II significant in Italian history? He is significant as the final monarch of Italy, whose reign ended with the 1946 referendum that established the Italian Republic. ### Where did Umberto II live after his reign? After the monarchy was abolished, Umberto II lived in exile, primarily in Portugal and later in Geneva, Switzerland. ### What honors or awards did Umberto II receive? He received numerous honors, including the Order of the White Eagle, the Order of Michael the Brave, the Order of St. Andrew, the Royal Victorian Chain, the Supreme Order of Christ, the Civil Order of Savoy, the Order of the Garter, the Royal Order of the Seraphim, the Order of the Elephant, the Order of the Royal House of Chakri, the Order of Saint Januarius, the Order of Saint Hubert, the Order of Skanderbeg, and many others. ## Why They Matter Umberto II matters as the final symbolic head of the Italian monarchy, marking the end of a centuries-old institution. His brief reign symbolized the last attempt to preserve the monarchy in a rapidly modernizing and republican-leaning Italy. His life and legacy reflect the broader historical transition from European monarchies to democratic republics in the mid-20th century. His posthumous influence lies in representing the closure of an era rather than the creation of new institutions or ideas. ## Notable For - Being the last king of Italy (1946) - Serving as a military lieutenant in World War II - Participating in the Italian invasion of France (1940) - Receiving over 20 international honors and chivalric orders - Living in exile after the monarchy's dissolution - Representing the end of the Italian royal dynasty, the House of Savoy, in power ## Body ### Early Life and Education Umberto Nicola Tommaso Giovanni Maria di Savoia was born on **September 15, 1904**, in Turin, Italy. As a member of the House of Savoy, he was raised in the royal tradition and prepared for leadership within the monarchy. He received a military education and entered the Royal Italian Army, where he would build his early career. ### Military Career Umberto II served as a **lieutenant in the Royal Italian Army** during **World War II**. He was notably involved in the **Italian invasion of France in 1940**, which marked Italy's first major military engagement in the war. His role in the armed forces demonstrated his commitment to his country during a time of global conflict. ### Accession to the Throne On **May 9, 1946**, Umberto II became king of Italy following the abdication of his father, **King Victor Emmanuel III**. His reign, however, lasted only **34 days**, ending on **June 12, 1946**, when a **constitutional referendum** led to the dissolution of the monarchy and the birth of the **Italian Republic**. ### Awards and Honors Umberto II received a wide array of honors from nations and institutions around the world, including: - **Order of the White Eagle** (Poland and Russia) - **Order of Michael the Brave** (Romania) - **Order of St. Andrew** (Russia) - **Royal Victorian Chain** (United Kingdom) - **Supreme Order of Christ** (Holy See) - **Civil Order of Savoy** (Italy) - **Order of the Garter** (United Kingdom) - **Royal Order of the Seraphim** (Sweden) - **Order of the Elephant** (Denmark) - **Order of the Royal House of Chakri** (Thailand) - **Order of Saint Januarius** (Naples) - **Order of Saint Hubert** (Bavaria) - **Order of Skanderbeg** (Albania) These reflect his international recognition and diplomatic stature. ### Exile and Later Life Following the end of the monarchy, Umberto II lived in **exile in Portugal** and later settled in **Geneva, Switzerland**, where he remained until his death. He continued to engage in ceremonial and diplomatic functions, representing the legacy of the House of Savoy. ### Legacy and Historical Significance Umberto II's legacy is primarily historical. He symbolizes the end of the **Kingdom of Italy**, a state that existed from **1861 to 1946** and played a central role in European politics, culture, and unification. His reign, though short, marked the final chapter of Italian monarchy and the beginning of the modern **Italian Republic**. His life underscores the transition from traditional monarchies to democratic governance in post-war Europe. ### Personal Details and Identifiers - **Born**: September 15, 1904 - **Died**: March 18, 1983 - **Aliases**: Humbert II of Italy, King Umbert, Umberto II - **Citizenship**: Kingdom of Italy - **Occupation**: Monarch, Military Officer - **Fields**: Military, Governance - **Wikidata ID**: Q235515 - **Wikipedia Title**: Umberto II of Italy - **Image**: Umberto II, 1944.jpg - **Signature**: UmbertoII.signature.png - **Monogram**: Royal Monogram of King Umberto II of Italy.svg - **Burial Site**: Hautecombe Abbey, France - **Family Name**: Savoia-27 - **Full Name**: Umberto Nicola Tommaso Giovanni Maria di Savoia Umberto II remains a figure of historical closure, representing the final vestige of a once-powerful European dynasty. ## References 1. Archivio Storico Ricordi 2. BeWeB 3. The Peerage 4. IMDb 5. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie 6. Salzburgwiki 7. Croatian Encyclopedia 8. Munzinger Personen 9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 10. KB, nationale bibliotheek 11. Source 12. [Source](https://123dok.org/article/note-e-ricordi-dell-infanzia-dei-principini.q05pwe9l) 13. [Source](https://catalog.archives.gov/id/76193887) 14. Swiss National Library 15. Dizionario di Storia 16. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line 17. Enciclopedia Treccani 18. [Source](http://purl.org/pressemappe20/beaconlist/pe)