Meet Prince Emanuele Filiberto, who’s trying to reclaim Italy’s crown jewels – the former royal and reality TV star wants the House of Savoy’s US$335 million family fortune returned
- The Italian nobleman won Dancing with the Stars after 30 years in exile and he’s since turned his hand to an LA food truck and spoofing Netflix hit The Crown
- The husband of French actress Clotilde Courau says that the former royal family, soon to be led by his daughter Princess Vittoria, want the jewels for sentimental reasons
The House of Savoy, Italy’s former royal family, has appealed to authorities to return its US$335 million crown jewels.
The family’s collection, comprising 26 elaborate pieces encrusted with more than 6,000 diamonds and 2,000 pearls, were lost after the monarchy was abolished in 1946 – when the house’s last monarch, Umberto II, was deposed and exiled for having ties with fascist dictator Benito Mussolini.
Ever since, the jewels have been stored inside a vault in the Bank of Italy in Rome, according to The Telegraph.
Prince Emanuele Filiberto, the grandson of the last king, is contesting the ownership of the jewels. He has argued that the family is not after their monetary worth, but the historical and sentimental value the jewellery possesses.
But other than spearheading efforts for the return of the jewels, what else is there to know about the prince?
He’s a reality TV star
The prince spent 30 years in exile, according to Insider, and his absence from his homeland caused him to be a cultural pariah. He was only able to return to Italy in 2002 when the exile ban was lifted.
To become connect with the Italian public, he waltzed in Italy’s Dancing with the Stars in 2009, and eventually emerged as the winner. After a year, banking on his success, he hosted the Miss Italia pageant. He then starred in another reality TV show, The Beginner, in 2012, where 10 Italians invited him to spend time working at their jobs.
He owns a Los Angeles food truck
