Twenty Years Since the Death of the May Queen: Marie-José of Italy

Queen Marie-José of Italy’s life was marked by significant events that shaped her royal career and personal life. Here are the key events:

1. Early Life and Education: Born on August 4, 1906, in Ostend, Belgium, Marie-José was the youngest child of King Albert I and Queen Elisabeth of Belgium. She received education in England, Italy, and Belgium, including a stint at the Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School in Essex, England, during World War I.
2. Marriage and Move to Italy: In 1930, Marie-José married Crown Prince Umberto of Italy, the heir to the Italian throne. The union was seen as a symbol of reconciliation between Belgium and Italy after the tensions of World War I. They had four children.
3. The Second World War: Marie-José realized that Mussolini was intent on leading Italy to ruin and made contact with his opponents, supplying the Italian resistance with arms and money. She also met Hitler and pleaded for the release of food to the starving Belgians and for a more humane treatment for her imprisoned brother King Leopold III of Belgium.
4. Monarchy and Exile: On May 9, 1946, her father-in-law, King Vittorio Emanuele III, abdicated in favor of Marie-José’s husband, Umberto II. She became the Queen of Italy, known as the “May Queen,” but their reign was short-lived, lasting only 27 days. The Italian people voted to abolish the monarchy in a referendum on June 2, 1946, and the royal family had to leave Italy for exile.
5. Life Outside the Monarchy: Marie-José devoted herself to humanitarian causes, such as the Red Cross and the World Wildlife Fund, and was a patron of arts and culture. She supported many Italian artists and writers. Her marriage endured until Umberto’s death in 1983.
6. Death and Burial: Marie-José passed away on January 27, 2001, in Geneva, Switzerland, at the age of 94. She was buried in Hautecombe Abbey, France, alongside her husband and other members of the House of Savoy.

Queen Marie-José of Italy faced several major challenges during her time in exile:

1. Separation from her husband: After the monarchy was abolished, Marie-José and her husband, King Umberto II, separated, but they never divorced. This led to a period of estrangement, with Marie-José living in Switzerland and Umberto in Portugal.
2. Loss of her husband and siblings: In 1983, Marie-José suffered a significant loss when her husband, King Umberto II, died. This was followed by the deaths of her brother, Prince Charles, Count of Flanders, in June, and her last surviving brother, King Léopold III of the Belgians, in September. This period of loss had a profound impact on her life.
3. Living in exile: Marie-José spent most of her life in exile, initially in Portugal and later in Switzerland. This meant she was away from her native Italy and had limited opportunities to engage in her royal duties or maintain her connections with the Italian people.
4. Maintaining her royal identity: Despite living in exile, Marie-José continued to identify herself as the Queen of Italy. She remained committed to her royal duties and humanitarian causes, such as the Red Cross and the World Wildlife Fund, which helped her maintain her sense of purpose and connection to her royal heritage.
5. Personal struggles: Marie-José faced personal struggles during her time in exile, including the challenges of living apart from her husband and dealing with the loss of her loved ones. Her experiences during World War II, including her secret negotiations with opponents of Mussolini, also left a lasting impact on her life.

Queen Marie-José of Italy’s life was marked by significant events that shaped her royal career and personal life. Here are the key events:

1. Early Life and Education: Born on August 4, 1906, in Ostend, Belgium, Marie-José was the youngest child of King Albert I and Queen Elisabeth of Belgium. She received education in England, Italy, and Belgium, including a stint at the Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School in Essex, England, during World War I.
2. Marriage and Move to Italy: In 1930, Marie-José married Crown Prince Umberto of Italy, the heir to the Italian throne. The union was seen as a symbol of reconciliation between Belgium and Italy after the tensions of World War I. They had four children.
3. The Second World War: Marie-José realized that Mussolini was intent on leading Italy to ruin and made contact with his opponents, supplying the Italian resistance with arms and money. She also met Hitler and pleaded for the release of food to the starving Belgians and for a more humane treatment for her imprisoned brother King Leopold III of Belgium.
4. Monarchy and Exile: On May 9, 1946, her father-in-law, King Vittorio Emanuele III, abdicated in favor of Marie-José’s husband, Umberto II. She became the Queen of Italy, known as the “May Queen,” but their reign was short-lived, lasting only 27 days. The Italian people voted to abolish the monarchy in a referendum on June 2, 1946, and the royal family had to leave Italy for exile.
5. Life Outside the Monarchy: Marie-José devoted herself to humanitarian causes, such as the Red Cross and the World Wildlife Fund, and was a patron of arts and culture. She supported many Italian artists and writers. Her marriage endured until Umberto’s death in 1983.
6. Death and Burial: Marie-José passed away on January 27, 2001, in Geneva, Switzerland, at the age of 94. She was buried in Hautecombe Abbey, France, alongside her husband and other members of the House of Savoy.

Queen Marie-José of Italy faced several key challenges during her reign:

1. Conflict with Mussolini’s Government: Marie-José clashed constantly with the fascist government of Benito Mussolini, which she saw as undemocratic and oppressive. She even confronted Adolf Hitler during World War II, trying to obtain the freedom of Belgian prisoners of war.
2. Loss of Popularity: Despite her efforts to restore the monarchy’s image, the House of Savoy had tainted itself by allowing and contributing to Mussolini’s rise to power. This led to widespread opposition among Italians, ultimately contributing to the monarchy’s defeat in the referendum.
3. Short Reign and Abdication: Marie-José’s reign was marked by a brief period of popularity, but it was not enough to save the monarchy. Her husband, King Umberto II, called for a referendum to decide the future of the Italian monarchy, which the Savoys lost by a small margin. The monarchy was abolished, and the royal family went into exile.
4. Personal Struggles: Marie-José faced personal challenges, including a difficult marriage to King Umberto II, who was known for his playboy lifestyle and had particular sexual tastes. She also struggled with the loss of her loved ones, including her husband and siblings.
5. Exile and Separation: After the monarchy was abolished, Marie-José and her husband separated, with Marie-José living in Switzerland and Umberto in Portugal. Despite this, they never divorced and remained devoted to their children and grandchildren.

These challenges significantly impacted Marie-José’s life and reign, ultimately leading to the end of the Italian monarchy.