Advertisement

Italy's crown jewels may come out of vault

R0ME, Italy, Feb. 14 (UPI) -- Italy's crown jewels, which have been in a vault since the last king left the country 60 years ago, may soon be on public display.

Mario Draghi, governor of the Bank of Italy, told the Asna news agency that only a few legal questions have to be settled.

Advertisement

Umberto II deposited the Savoy Treasure at the bank in 1946 when Italians voted to abolish the monarchy. Along with the chest, he left a note -- "To be returned to the rightful owner."

The king did not say whether, in his view, the rightful owner of items like a double string of 1,859 diamonds forming the knot of the House of Savoy, was his family or the Italian people.

Maria Gabriella di Savoia, one of Umberto's daughters, told the Corriere della Serra this week that she does not want the jewelry back. She hopes that her family treasure will become part of a permanent exhibit like the British crown jewels in the Tower of London.

Latest Headlines