Monday, January 24, 2011

Italian Crown Princely couple to move to Rome

January 25, 1899

The Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Italy are in the process of moving from Naples to Rome, "for the purpose of enabling the Prince to take a more active part in the affairs of state and in the representation of the crown."

According to the Marquise de Fontenoy, the couple deeply resent "the manner in which the recent birth of a son to the Duke and Duchess of Aosta" has led people, both abroad and in Italy" to see the infant prince as a future King of Italy and his parents as "the next heirs to the throne." 
 
Crown Prince Vittorio Emanuele is of a "jealous turn of mind," and like all "men of diminutive stature, exceedingly touchy." He is keenly aware of "being ignored and set aside," especially as his advice and recommendations "in all moments of crises" have been ignored by the King and the King's Ministers.
However, the Crown Prince has been appointed Inspector General of the Italian Army, and will "share with his father the duties of representation of the crown."

It is not known how successful this venture will be as the Crown Prince's political views differ from his father's.   An "open quarrel" between father and son "is not beyond the bounds of possibility."

Crown Prince Vittorio Emanuele married Princess Jelena of Montenegro in October 1896.  At the time of the marriage, Jelena, raised in the Orthodox faith, converted to the Roman Catholic Church and is now known as Elena.

The Duchess of Aosta gave birth to a son, Prince Amedeo, on October 21.   The marriage of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess remains childless.

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