# Victor Emmanuel III of Italy

> King of Italy from 1900 to 1946

**Wikidata**: [Q150642](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q150642)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Emmanuel_III)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/victor-emmanuel-iii-of-italy

## Summary

Victor Emmanuel III of Italy was born November 11, 1869, in Naples.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] He held citizenship in Italy and the Kingdom of Italy. His occupations included numismatist, monarch, and sovereign.[7] His religion was irreligion.[11]He was married to Elena of Montenegro from 1896 to 1947. Their children were Princess Iolanda, Countess of Bergolo, Princess Mafalda of Savoy, Umberto II of Italy, Giovanna of Savoy, and Princess Maria Francesca of Savoy.[4]His awards included Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece, Order of the Black Eagle, Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath, Order of the White Eagle, Order of St. Olav, and Order of Lāčplēsis, plus 2 more. He was a member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres, and the Romanian Academy.[12][13] He died December 28, 1947, in Alexandria.[1][2][3][4][6][7][8][9][10].

## Summary
Victor Emmanuel III of Italy was the King of Italy from 1900 until his abdication in 1946, serving as the head of state during the Kingdom of Italy's existence. A distinguished numismatist and scholar, he is historically significant for overseeing the nation through World War I and World War II before the monarchy was abolished via a 1946 constitutional referendum. His full name was Vittorio Emanuele Ferdinando Maria Gennaro di Savoia, and he reigned during a pivotal era of Italian unification and modernization.

## Biography
- **Born:** November 11, 1869
- **Nationality:** Italian (Citizenship: Kingdom of Italy, Italy)
- **Education:** Nunziatella military academy (Naples)
- **Known for:** Reigning as King of Italy from 1900 to 1946; contributions to numismatics and military science
- **Employer(s):** Kingdom of Italy (Monarch); International Institute of Agriculture (Affiliated member)
- **Field(s):** Monarchy, Sovereignty, Numismatics, Military Science

## Contributions
Victor Emmanuel III's contributions were primarily defined by his long tenure as a constitutional monarch and his scholarly work in numismatics.
- **Monarchical Leadership:** He served as the head of state of the Kingdom of Italy from July 29, 1900, until May 9, 1946, guiding the nation through the transition from the 19th century to the post-WWII era.
- **Numismatic Scholarship:** As a dedicated numismatist, he contributed to the study of currencies, coins, and paper money, earning recognition in academic circles.
- **International Diplomacy:** He was a key figure in Italy's membership in international bodies, including the International Institute of Agriculture, which was founded in Rome in 1905.
- **Academic Recognition:** His scholarly work led to affiliations with prestigious institutions such as the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres, and the Romanian Academy.

## FAQs
**What was the duration of Victor Emmanuel III's reign?**
Victor Emmanuel III ruled as King of Italy for 46 years, starting from the assassination of his father in 1900 and ending with his abdication in 1946. His reign spanned the entire existence of the Kingdom of Italy, which was dissolved following a constitutional referendum.

**What were Victor Emmanuel III's academic interests?**
Beyond his royal duties, he was a renowned numismatist who studied currencies and coins. His expertise was recognized by his membership in several major European academies, including the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Romanian Academy.

**How did Victor Emmanuel III's reign end?**
His reign concluded on May 9, 1946, when he abdicated in favor of his son, Umberto II. Shortly thereafter, on June 18, 1946, a constitutional referendum abolished the monarchy, establishing the Italian Republic and ending the Kingdom of Italy.

**Which military academy did Victor Emmanuel III attend?**
He received his military education at the Nunziatella military academy in Naples, a prestigious institution founded in 1787. This training prepared him for his role as a military leader and head of state.

**What international organizations was Victor Emmanuel III associated with?**
He was affiliated with the International Institute of Agriculture, an institution founded in Rome in 1905. Additionally, his reign saw Italy become a member of the League of Nations and later the United Nations, though the specific memberships listed in the source material for the Kingdom include the European Union, NATO, and the UN (noting these dates apply to the state's continuity).

## Why They Matter
Victor Emmanuel III matters because his reign encapsulated the most transformative period in modern Italian history, bridging the gap between the unification of the 19th century and the establishment of the modern republic. As the longest-reigning monarch of the House of Savoy, his decisions directly influenced Italy's participation in World War I and World War II, shaping the geopolitical landscape of Europe. His abdication marked the definitive end of the Italian monarchy, paving the way for the parliamentary republic that exists today. Furthermore, his personal dedication to numismatics elevated the study of Italian currency and history, leaving a legacy that extends beyond politics into the realm of academic scholarship. Without his leadership, the trajectory of Italy's unification consolidation and its subsequent transition to a republic would have been fundamentally different.

## Notable For
- **Longest Reign:** Serving as King of Italy from 1900 to 1946, a period of 46 years.
- **Numismatics:** Being a distinguished scholar and collector of coins and currency.
- **Military Education:** Graduating from the historic Nunziatella military academy in Naples.
- **Academic Memberships:** Holding membership in the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres, and the Romanian Academy.
- **International Affiliation:** Being associated with the International Institute of Agriculture in Rome.
- **Historical Transition:** Overseeing the dissolution of the Kingdom of Italy and the birth of the Italian Republic.
- **Awards Received:** Recipient of numerous high honors, including the Order of the Black Eagle, Order of the White Eagle, Order of St. Olav, Order of Lāčplēsis, Order of St. Andrew, Royal Victorian Chain, Supreme Order of Christ, Collar of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, Order of the Elephant, Victory Medal, Order of Saint Stephen of Hungary, Civil Order of Savoy, Order of Merit for Labour, Maurician medal, Order of the Garter, Order of the Golden Fleece, Order of Saints Cyril and Methodius, Sash of the Three Orders, Royal Order of the Seraphim, Order of Skanderbeg, and Stella al merito del lavoro.
- **Full Name:** Vittorio Emanuele Ferdinando Maria Gennaro di Savoia.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Victor Emmanuel III was born on November 11, 1869. His full name was Vittorio Emanuele Ferdinando Maria Gennaro di Savoia. He was a member of the House of Savoy and the son of King Umberto I. His education was rooted in military training; he attended the Nunziatella military academy in Naples, which was established in 1787. This institution provided him with the foundational skills required for his future role as a military leader and monarch.

### Reign as King of Italy
Victor Emmanuel III ascended to the throne in 1900 following the assassination of his father, Umberto I. He reigned as the King of Italy from 1900 until 1946. His reign coincided with the existence of the Kingdom of Italy, a sovereign state in Southern Europe that was proclaimed on March 17, 1861. The kingdom was characterized by its political stability and economic growth during the early part of his reign. The capital of the kingdom was Rome, having moved from Florence (1865–1871) and Turin (1861–1865). During his rule, Italy participated in major global conflicts, including World War I (1914–1918) and World War II (1939–1945).

### Abdication and the End of the Monarchy
The monarchy under Victor Emmanuel III ended in 1946. On May 9, 1946, he abdicated the throne in favor of his son, Umberto II. This decision was made in the context of the aftermath of World War II and the growing republican sentiment in Italy. A constitutional referendum was held, and on June 18, 1946, the Italian people voted to abolish the monarchy, establishing the Italian Republic. This event marked the inception of the current Italian state, officially known as the Italian Republic (Repubblica Italiana). The Kingdom of Italy, which had existed since 1861, was dissolved.

### Scholarly Contributions and Numismatics
Beyond his political role, Victor Emmanuel III was a serious scholar, particularly in the field of numismatics. He was recognized as a numismatist, a person who studies currencies, coins, or paper money. His expertise was acknowledged by his membership in several prestigious learned societies. He was a member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, which was founded in 1724. He was also affiliated with the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres, a French learned society founded in 1663, and the Romanian Academy, established in 1866. His scholarly work contributed to the understanding of Italian history and currency.

### International Affiliations and Organizations
Victor Emmanuel III was associated with various international organizations. He was affiliated with the International Institute of Agriculture, an institution founded in Rome in 1905. This organization was dedicated to agricultural issues and was a precursor to modern international agricultural bodies. His reign also saw Italy's involvement in the formation of the European Union, NATO, and the United Nations, although these memberships were formalized after the transition to the republic, the state's continuity under his reign laid the groundwork for these international engagements.

### Honors and Awards
Throughout his life and reign, Victor Emmanuel III received numerous awards and decorations from Italy and foreign nations. These honors reflected his status as a head of state and his diplomatic relations.
- **Italian Honors:** He received the Order of Merit for Labour, established in 1901, and the Maurician medal, an Italian military honor established in 1839. He was also awarded the Civil Order of Savoy and the Stella al merito del lavoro.
- **Foreign Honors:** He was a recipient of the Order of the Black Eagle (Prussia), the Order of the White Eagle (Poland), the Order of St. Olav (Norway), the Order of Lāčplēsis (Latvia), the Order of St. Andrew (Russian Empire), the Royal Victorian Chain (United Kingdom), the Supreme Order of Christ (Holy See), the Collar of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum (Japan), the Order of the Elephant (Denmark), the Victory Medal, the Order of Saint Stephen of Hungary, the Order of the Garter (England), the Order of the Golden Fleece, the Order of Saints Cyril and Methodius (Bulgaria), the Sash of the Three Orders (Portugal), the Royal Order of the Seraphim (Sweden), and the Order of Skanderbeg (Albania).

### Legacy and Death
Victor Emmanuel III died on December 28, 1947. His death occurred after the establishment of the Italian Republic, and he spent his final years in exile. His legacy is complex, marked by his long reign, his role in two world wars, and his eventual abdication which facilitated the birth of the modern Italian Republic. He is remembered not only as a monarch but also as a scholar who contributed to the fields of numismatics and military science. His life and reign are documented in various historical records, including the Biblioteca nazionale Vittorio Emanuele III in Naples, which was founded in 1804.

### Personal Details and Identifiers
- **Full Name:** Vittorio Emanuele Ferdinando Maria Gennaro di Savoia
- **Birth Date:** November 11, 1869
- **Death Date:** December 28, 1947
- **Citizenship:** Italy, Kingdom of Italy
- **Occupation:** Monarch, Sovereign, Numismatist
- **Identifiers:** He is associated with numerous library and database identifiers, including ISNI (0000000080928191), VIAF (13103888), GND (118804545), and LCCN (n80103764).
- **Images:** Portraits and images of him include "Vittorio Emanuele III (c. 1924-1934).jpg" and "Vitorio Emanuel III.jpg".
- **Coat of Arms:** The Coat of arms of the Kingdom of Italy (1890).svg is associated with his reign.
- **Autograph:** His autograph is preserved as "Vittorio Emanuele III Autograph.svg".
- **Seal:** The Seal of Victor Emmanuel III of Italy.svg is a historical artifact from his reign.
- **Royal Monogram:** The Royal Monogram of King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy.svg represents his personal royal symbol.
- **Tomb:** He is buried in the Tomba di Vittorio Emanuele III al Santuario di Vicoforte nella cappella di San Bernardo.

### Historical Context
The Kingdom of Italy, under Victor Emmanuel III, was a sovereign state in Southern Europe from 1861 to 1946. It succeeded the Kingdom of Sardinia and the Papal States. The kingdom was characterized by its diverse geography, including the Alps, the Apennine Mountains, and coastal plains. The population grew from approximately 22 million in 1861 to over 42 million by 1940. The currency was the Italian Lira. The kingdom was a member of various international organizations, and its dissolution in 1946 led to the establishment of the Italian Republic, which continues to be a major player in international affairs. Victor Emmanuel III's reign was a critical period in this historical evolution, marking the transition from a monarchy to a republic.

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