Vittorio Emanuele III

Vittorio Emanuele III was the King of Italy from 1900 to 1946, overseeing Italy through significant events like World War I, the rise of Fascism, and World War II. He was a constitutional monarch, meaning he shared power with elected officials, but his reign was marked by political instability and increasing Fascist influence under Benito Mussolini. In 1946, following Italy’s defeat in WWII and a referendum, he abdicated the throne in favor of his son, leading to Italy becoming a republic. His reign profoundly impacted Italy’s modern history, balancing monarchy, nationalism, and wartime challenges.