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The Italian monarchy was abolished in June 1946 following a referendum which established a republic. The present pretender is in dispute between Vittorio Emanuele, Prince of Naples and Amedeo, 5th Duke of Aosta.
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On 21 May 2004 blows were struck in Madrid between former Crown Prince Vittorio Emanuele of Italy and his cousin and dynastic rival Prince Amedeo of Savoy-Aosta. At a soirée held at the Zarzuela Palace during the wedding celebrations of Spanish Crown Prince Felipe, Amedeo approached Vittorio who reportedly punched him twice in the face, causing him to stumble backward down the steps.[1][2] The quick intervention of ex-Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, who propped him up, prevented Amedeo from falling to the ground.[2] She discreetly assisted him indoors while staunching his bleeding face until first aid was administered.[1] Upon learning of the incident Spain's King Juan Carlos, a cousin of both men, reportedly declared that "never again" would an opportunity to abuse his hospitality be afforded the competing pretenders.[1][2] Anne-Marie's quick action avoided what might have been more serious injury to Amedeo and a public escalation of the confrontation.
In response to the Duke of Aosta's attempt in 2006 to assume the headship of the house, and his, and his sons assumption of the name "di Savoia" and the arms of the Royal House of Savoy and that of the Prince of Piedmont, the Prince of Naples and his son filed a lawsuit against the Aosta branch. The lawsuit was successful with the court of Arezzo ruling in February 2010 that the Duke of Aosta and his son must pay damages totalling 50,000 Euros to their cousins and cease their use of the arms of the Royal House and those of the Prince of Piedmont. They were also forbidden to use the name "di Savoia", instead they must resume the name "di Savoia-Aosta".[3] The Duke of Aosta is appealing the ruling.[4]
Vittorio Emanuele is the son of the last King Umberto II and was regarded as the head of the House of Savoy unopposed until the 7 July 2006 when the Duke of Aosta declared himself to be the head of the house and Duke of Savoy. The line of succession to Vittorio Emanuele is:
The Duke of Aosta claims that because Vittorio Emanuele married in violation of Savoy dynastic law he lost his dynastic rights. The President of the Council of the Senators of the Kingdom Aldo Alessandro Mola published a declaration in favour of Amedeo's claim; and he also received the support of Vittorio Emanuele's sister Princess Maria Gabriella of Savoy. The line of succession to Amedeo, Duke of Aosta is: