Queen Exiled to Italy!
In 1946, the Italian monarchy was abolished and members of the Italian royal family were exiled from their home country. Among them was Queen Marie José of Belgium, who had married Italy's last king, Umberto II, in 1930. The couple had four children together before their brief reign came to an end.
Following Italy's defeat in World War II, a national referendum decided the fate of the monarchy. 12,717,923 people voted for a republic, while only 10,719,284 voted for the monarchy. This result spelled the end for the House of Savoy, Italy's reigning monarchs.
Marie José, a Belgian princess, was only 21 years old when she married Umberto II. The marriage was seen as a positive step in improving relations between Italy and Belgium. However, the couple's reign was overshadowed by political turmoil and the rise of fascism in Italy.
Umberto II ascended to the throne in 1946, following the death of his father, Victor Emmanuel III. However, his reign would be short-lived. His father's support for fascist leader Benito Mussolini had tainted the monarchy's reputation, and many Italians resented the royals for their perceived involvement with fascist ideology.
When Umberto II became king, he attempted to steer Italy towards democracy and restore the monarchy's reputation. However, his efforts were in vain. The country had suffered too greatly under fascism, and many people were still fighting for their rights and freedoms.
In June 1946, just one month after Umberto II's coronation, a referendum was held to determine the future of the monarchy. The results were devastating for the king and queen. The Italian people voted overwhelmingly for a republic, and the monarchy was soon abolished.
Marie José and Umberto II were forced to go into exile. They moved to Switzerland, where they spent several months, before settling in Cascais, Portugal. However, the former queen was not content to remain in exile forever. She longed to return to her home country and to be closer to her family.
In 1947, Marie José was finally granted permission to return to Italy. She settled in the city of Sorrento, where she remained for the rest of her life. Although she was no longer a queen, she remained a beloved figure in Italian society and was respected by many for her charitable work.
In Sorrento, Marie José lived a quiet life, away from the public eye. She dedicated her time to good causes, including the Italian Red Cross and the Order of Malta. She also became a patron of several cultural institutions, including the Teatro di San Carlo in Naples.
Despite her exile, Marie José remained deeply connected to her Belgian roots. In Sorrento, she hosted many visiting dignitaries and members of European royalty, and she never lost contact with her family in Belgium. She often travelled to Brussels and Antwerp to visit her siblings and their families.
After several years in exile, Marie José's husband became seriously ill. In 1983, he passed away, leaving her a widow at the age of 74. Despite this, she continued to live in Sorrento and remained active in charitable causes. She also travelled extensively, visiting friends and family all over Europe.
In the years following her husband's death, Marie José's health began to decline. She suffered from heart problems and other medical issues, and she passed away in 2001, at the age of 94. Her funeral was a somber affair, attended by members of the House of Savoy and other European royals.
Although Marie José was exiled from her home country for many years, she never lost her love for Italy. She remained committed to improving the lives of the Italian people, and she continued to support charitable causes throughout her life. Today, she is remembered as a beloved queen and a tireless champion of humanitarian causes.