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Vittorio Emanuele di Savoia-Aosta
Conte di Torino
(1870–1946)

Other names: Vittorio Emanuele Torino Giovanni Maria

Biographical

Conte di Torino
Knight of the Order of the Holy Annunciation 1892 [Italy]
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus [Italy]
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown of Italy [Italy]
Knight of the Order of the Black Eagle [Prussia]
Bailiff Knight Grand Cross of Honour and Devotion of the Order of Malta [Vatican]
Medal of Military Valour, silver [Italy]

General 1923
Lieutenant general
Brigadier general 1903
Colonel 1899
Senator 1891

Vittorio Emanuele graduated from the Military Academy of Modena as a second lieutenant in 1889, and then joined the armoured cavalry. He was noted for the famous duel he had won against Prince Henri d'Orléans in 1897, whom he challenged after Henri publicly question the bravery of the Italians imprisoned in Ethiopia. This episode made Vittorio Emanuele very popular in Italy. He then joined the Nizza Regiment briefly, then took command of the Lancers of Novara in 1899 as colonel, and in 1910, the 8th Cavalry Brigade as lieutenant general. He distinguished himself in the First World War, earning a Medal of Valour. Vittorio Emanuele exiled himself to Belgium in 1946 after the referendum abolishing the monarchy, and he died in a clinic there a few months later.

Place of birth: Turin
Place of death: Brussels
Place of burial: Basilica of Superga

Son of King Amadeo I of Spain and Maria Vittoria dal Pozzo.

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