The odyssey for the burial of the remains of “His Royal Highness” comes to an end, months after the funeral at the Turin Cathedral. Vittorio EmanueleDuke of Savoy and Prince of Naples buried today – in a strictly private form – inside the Royal Crypt of the Basilica of Superga in Turin”.
The son announces it, the Prince Emanuel FilibertoDuke of Savoy, Prince of Piedmont and Prince of Venice who anticipates that in Superga «a suffrage celebration will be organised soon» and in the meantime Emanuele Filiberto thanks “the institutions that have made it possible to respect the last wishes of the late Prince regarding his burial according to the tradition of the House of Savoy, all those who, in these months, have shared in the pain and mourning of the Royal Family.”
«I was in Superga, on the beautiful hill of Turin, for a celebration of the House of Savoy, it is a wonderful place and brings with it the history of the house. And just as the Pantheon is the place designated to welcome the remains of former kings, the Savoys who never reigned rest in Turin. So I am destined there too.” He had confided this to Courier, the same Vittorio di Savoia years ago. Umberto was buried in Altacomba, Vittorio Emanuele had said «I would like to go to Superga».
Will it be like this? “Yes, dad always wanted his end to be like this,” the son told us from Ginevra, interviewed the day after his father’s death last February. “He repeated it and I will fulfill his last wish.” A prince and a family intertwined with the royal dynasties of Europe. “I’m receiving messages from all over the worldfrom the royals of Spain to those of Belgium, of Monaco, even from Iran, from the family of the Shah of Persia, as well as from ordinary people because dad was always the same, generous, easy-going with the nobles close to the Savoy as with ordinary people”, said Emanuele Filiberto.
And at the funeral in the Cathedral under an incessant downpour, Queen Sofia of Spain and princes and representatives of many royal families had arrived. Princes and kings for the farewell to a prince, Vittorio Emanuele, who was never kingbut the homily had not spoken of Crowns, royalty.
“This is not the time to talk about the House of Savoy,” he said Monsignor Paolo de Nicolò, Grand Prior of the Dynastic Orders of the Royal House. Rather, he recalls how the royal family sits today “in front of the chapel of the Shroud, drawing strength, faith and inspiration from this precious relic so that their actions are always aimed at good and solidarity”. Among the benches were the delegates of the Dynastic Orders of the Royal House of Savoy, representatives of the National Institute of Guards of Honor at the Royal Tombs, representatives of the monarchist associations.
The Aosta Valley choir had sung sober, traditional songs. The Sardinian anthem had accompanied the advance of the coffin. Under the gaze of his wife Marina di Savoia, haughty and beautiful as ever despite the weight of grief and her 89 years. Among the princes at the funeral also in Turin was Alberto di Monaco who told us: «It’s a sad moment, when you mourn a father, I would have preferred to see each other again in lighter situations but I’m happy to be here. The historical bond between Monaco and Italy also lives on on this day.”
Inside, among the benches of the guests at the royal funeral, the large heart of white roses of Maria Beatrice “Titti” with her daughter Asaea and little Maria José. Same name as the last queen. And the Savoy cross cushion designed with white and scarlet petals sent by “Ella”. It is the lifelong nickname of Maria Gabriella of Savoy who is not in the Cathedral today, not due to disagreements with her brother. Maria Pia was present in the Cathedral – a tough, determined character – she arrives quickly despite being almost 90 years old, the doyenne of the last king’s children.
