Italian prince says influencer daughter is ‘happy’ to take throne

Prince Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy, 50, also known as the Prince of Venice, says his university student daughter Vittoria would be an ideal candidate and it would give ‘young people a chance’.

Vittoria, who has over 80,000 followers on Instagram and also models for Paris based agency Karin, is a political science and art history student at the University of London. 

She is called the Prince’s ‘rock and roll princess’.

Speaking to MailOnline, Prince Emanuele said: ’My comments to the Italian media caused quite a stir and obviously Vittoria saw them.

‘She called me and said “Daddy, are you rushing this?” But I told her that it would all take place over time.

Prince Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy, 50, also known as the Prince of Venice, is gearing up to renounce the throne in favour his influencer daughter Vittoria, 19

Vittoria has 82,000 followers on Instagram and models for Paris based agency Karin. Her father says she'll do a much better job on the throne than he will

Vittoria has 82,000 followers on Instagram and models for Paris based agency Karin. Her father says she’ll do a much better job on the throne than he will

‘She said she would be very happy to inherit the title when the time is right and is preparing herself for when that time will come.

‘She is studying political sciences and art history at a university in London and is only 19 but is very level headed and I believe it is right that when the time comes I should pass the throne to her.

‘It would make me very happy to step aside and I really do believe that passing the throne to a younger person, my daughter, would be of great benefit.

‘I think it’s also important that when the time comes, it will be a woman, a young woman and someone who has qualities of sensibility and intelligence and I think she will do a better job than I could do.

‘She is not ready yet but I think with time she will be and when that time is right, I will step aside and pass the throne to her.

‘Vittoria is studying at the moment but slowly, slowly she is getting ready – although I must say trying to get her away from London may be difficult as she loves the city.’

Prince Emanuele’s father, Vittorio Emanuele, 86, is the current head of the Italian royal family.

Known as the House of Savoy, the country voted to abolish the monarchy in 1946 after the end of World War Two in a referendum.

Prince Emanuele and his wife Clotilde Courau leave church after the christening of their daughter, Vittoria in 2004

Prince Emanuele and his wife Clotilde Courau leave church after the christening of their daughter, Vittoria in 2004

The House of Savoy has existed for more than 1000 years and the family hopes that one day the monarchy will be restored – although the last opinion poll showed less than 10 percent of the country were in favour.

Last year the House of Savoy changed the lineage protocol, known as the Salic Law, from only allowing male heirs to inherit the title to women as well.

Prince Emanuele added:’ At the moment my father is the current head of the family and long may he live but ultimately it will pass to me and then I would like to pass it to Vittoria while she is still young.

‘She has shown an active interest in the family and is involved with the dynastic orders and charity work that we do and it is only right that she has an opportunity to inherit the title and become head.’

Vittoria is the eldest daughter of the Prince and his French wife Clotilde Courau and they divide their time between Italy and Switzerland where they have homes.

Prince Emanuele, who has met King Charles several times, added:’ I really do believe that young people should be given a chance because they have such passionate, modern ideas.

‘The late Queen Elizabeth was a wonderful queen and I know Charles waited a long time but I do wonder what would have happened if he had come to the throne 20 years ago.

‘He has many wonderful ideas regarding global issues but each family is different and the Queen had a long life and reign but I feel it is right for young and modern ideas to have a chance.

The pince appeared on Italy’s version of Strictly Come Dancing in 2009 and took the prized glitter ball title home

The pince appeared on Italy’s version of Strictly Come Dancing in 2009 and took the prized glitter ball title home

‘Charles will make a fantastic King, I met him last at the funeral of the King of Romania. I look highly upon him and I’m sure he will make a fine monarch with his modern ideas for the royal family.

‘But poor Charles did wait a long time before he came to the throne and maybe it would have been more helpful if he had become King 20 years ago.

‘That’s why I would like Vittoria to inherit the title when she is still young but only when she is ready.’

Prince Emanuele is not unknown for his attempts at keeping in touch with the younger generation.

He appeared on Italy’s version of Strictly Come Dancing in 2009 and took the prized glitter ball title.

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