Italy/Royal Family

# House of Savoy

## History

The House of Savoy originated in the early 11th century in the region of Savoy, located in present-day ***Burgundy*** and Italy. The family gained prominence through strategic marriages and alliances, steadily increasing their territorial holdings and political influence.

The House of Savoy's significant expansion began in the 14th century, with the acquisition of the County of Savoy. Over time, they expanded their territories through military conquests and diplomatic maneuvering, gaining control over regions such as Piedmont, Aosta Valley, and parts of northern Italy.

The family's fortunes took a pivotal turn in 1713 when Victor Amadeus II, Duke of Savoy, was recognized as the King of Sicily by the Treaty of Utrecht. This marked the House of Savoy's elevation to royal status and expanded their influence further.

In the following centuries, the House of Savoy played a crucial role in the unification of Italy. Under the leadership of Victor Emmanuel II, the family supported the Risorgimento movement, which aimed to unify Italy under a single nation. Victor Emmanuel II became the first King of a unified Italy in 1861.

## King Umberto II

Umberto Nicola Tommaso Giovanni Maria di Savoia (Umberto II) was on September 15th, 1904 as the third child of the king and queen. As their only son he was the heir to the throne. As he grew up he watched Italy fight in both World Wars and the monarchy loosing more and more power.

His father, Victor Emmanuel III, gave power to Mussolini in order to prevent a possible civil war. This resulted in the House of Savoy largely becoming a figureheads.

When his father died, Umberto began making private deals and putting himself more into the public eye to insure the new government will not supplant him.

However, he had read the founding documents of the ***Global Federation*** and the clauses about power over monarchy has made him secretly support anti-fascist and anti-federation groups out of fear that ***Hitler*** or other ***Axis Powers*** will remove him from power.

## Marie-José, Queen Consort

Princess Marie-José of Belgium was born on August 4th 1906 to King Albert I of Belgium and his wife Duchess Elisabeth in Bavaria.

In 1930, she married Prince Umberto II of Italy. In the following years, ***Germany*** invaded Belgium and by the end of the second World War, Belgium was officially a province of the Third Reich.

As a result, Marie-José was hidden from public life as not not attract Nazi attention to the royal family.

## Vittorio Emanuele, Prince of Naples

Vittorio Emanuele is the crown prince of Italy. He was born on February 12th 1937 in Naples.

As a teen and during WWII, Vittorio was sent to live in Berlin by this father. He became a vocal supporter of the Nazi party and Adolf Hitler in order to gain their approval if they Germany won the war.

When the war in Europe ended, Vittorio returned to Italy and began negotiating with the Axis Powers to expand Italy.

Vittorio Emanuele is well liked in Italy and abroad and he secretly hopes the new Global Federation will give him increased power.

## Princess Maria Pia

Maria Pia (Maria Pia Elena Elisabetta Margherita Milena Mafalda Ludovica Tecla Gennara di Savoia) is the first born child of Umberto II and Marie-José. She was born on September 24th 1934.

When she was growing up, her mother told her that she was unhappy in Italy. This inspired Pia to leave Italy age the age of 18. She moved to Paris and bought a house for her mother to move into one day. She lives under the watch of the Italian secret police and the S.S, she is banned from making any political commentary.

## Princess Maria Gabriella of Savoy

Maria Gabriella (Maria Gabriella Giuseppa Aldegonda Adelaide Ludovica Felicita Gennara) is the middle child of Umberto II and Marie-José.

She took note of her mother's unhappiness but instead of leaving Italy like her sister, Gabriella became a speaker calling for change in Italy. She talks about problems in Italy and encourages the Italian government to look inward and focus on the struggles on the people instead of focusing on expanding to Italy.

She has also stated that Italy should not join the Global Federation because it would take Italy's focus from the people. This has put a target on her back and the multiple assignation attempts have failed. The S.S and the Italian secret police asked offered to protect her but she refused and instead she pays the Swiss Guard from the Vatican. She also makes her announcements from the Vatican city.