FOR SALE AT AUCTION IN GENEVA AT PIGUET

King Umberto II of Italy (1904–1983) received numerous decorations and chivalric orders, reflecting his standing as crown prince among monarchies and states with which Italy maintained close diplomatic ties. Such honours were customary for heirs to the throne and served as symbols of mutual recognition between ruling dynasties.

Born crown prince of Italy in the royal castle at Racconigi, Piedmont, in northwestern Italy, Umberto was the only son of King Victor Emmanuel III (1869–1947), and Queen Elena, Princess of Montenegro (1873–1952). His marriage in 1930 to Princess Marie-José (1906– 2001) – daughter of Albert I (1875–1934), and sister of Leopold III (1901–1983), both kings of the Belgians – was one of the grandest gatherings of European royalty ever seen.

In 1946, Umberto joined many European crowned heads in exile, amongst them French and Spanish, in Portugal. Conversely, Queen Marie-José and their four children settled outside Geneva: the heir to the Italian throne and later a Gstaad resident – The Prince of Naples, Vittorio Emanuele di Savoia (1937–2024) – together with his sisters, Princesses Maria Pia, Maria Gabriella (later a Gstaad resident), and Maria Beatrice.

Coincidentally, the last king of Italy and his son both died at the University Hospital of Geneva forty-one years apart.

Hidden since then, his personal highly-prized historic decorations and orders are now for sale at auction in Geneva at Piguet, for the very first time ever.

BY ALAN NAZAR IPEKIAN

Russian Empire, Imperial Order of St Andrew the Apostle the First-Called, established by Tsar Peter the Great in 1698, complete Knight set (single rank).

The Russian Empire's highest chivalric order – honours loyalty, courage, and service, with its recipients automatically gaining other high orders – was reserved for royalty, foreign heads of state as well as high ranking officials. Its namesake, the patron saint of Russia, was given the epithet the First-Called because John the Baptist advised him to turn to Jesus, and Andrew consequently became the first disciple of Jesus.

Estimate CHF 100 000 –150 000