Funeral of Vittorio Emanuele, the Unfulfilled King of Italy

The land of Naples, his birthplace, in Turin that will see his remains. On a rainy day - 'even the sky cries for my father's passing,' Emanuele Filiberto said yesterday - the funeral of Vittorio Emanuele, the unfulfilled king of Italy, who died at 86, was celebrated. Red roses and lilies, the colors of the House of Savoy, filled the cathedral, joined by green to form the Italian flag. The notes were those of the Sardinian Anthem sung by the Francesco Veniero Choir of the Sanctuary Church of Madonna del Pilone, 'the Savoy choir!', says the proud master Franco Gabriele Turicchi. The cathedral falls silent when Marina Doria, Vittorio Emanuele's beloved wife for seventy years, enters: dark glasses and hair tied in a low ponytail, she walked down the central nave with her head bowed. After her, the daughter-in-law Clotilde and the granddaughters Vittoria and Luisa entered. Emanuele Filiberto was behind the coffin, moved to tears at many points during the homily. 'Now that Vittorio Emanuele sees Jesus in the eyes, he does well to say 'Thank you' - said Paolo de Nicolò, grand prior of the dynastic orders of the Royal House - The Lord has given him great gifts, his consort Marina Doria and the son Emanuele Filiberto, and the House of Savoy. Such a wide participation is the testimony of the concrete good that Prince Vittorio Emanuele has been able to give to those who knew him. In his human fragility, he knew how to be a man whose memory lives and will live in all of us. To the generations that will follow, especially to Prince Emanuele Filiberto and the princesses Vittoria and Luisa, the task of making his action in favor of the poor and needy contemporary. To Marina Doria our moving embrace. Vittorio Emanuele from Heaven will be proud to see what you will achieve in the name of the House of Savoy.' Pope Francis also sent a message of blessing. But today was not only the day of Vittorio Emanuele's funeral, it was a change of pace in the House of Savoy, the new generation drawing a line in the name of harmony, many swear. Aimone di Savoia Aosta - son of Amedeo d'Aosta in dispute with Vittorio Emanuele for dynastic reasons - arrived in front of the cathedral an hour before the funeral and, a detail that did not escape the nostalgics, placed the Royal Cloth on the coffin. 'It is a gesture that moves me,' said one of them, wiping away tears, and many imitated him. 'I am very happy, but between Aimone and me there has always been a strong friendship and a great affection,' Emanuele Filiberto commented after the funeral. After the blessing of the coffin, the emeritus queen of Spain Sofia and then Carlo Alberto of Monaco embraced Marina Doria and Emanuele Filiberto. Mother and son, before the car took away the remains of Vittorio Emanuele, gave a kiss and a caress to the coffin. The final destination will be Superga. 'For a long time, dad wanted to be buried in Superga - Emanuele Filiberto said before leaving, breaking into a smile - My father was born in Naples and will be buried in Turin: this is the unity of Italy, this is our Italy, this is the House of Savoy.'