Charles Emmanuel III of Sardinia

Charles Emmanuel III (27 April 1701 – 20 February 1773) was the Duke of Savoy and King of Sardinia from 1730 until his death.

Charles Emmanuel III
King Carlo Emanuele III held at the Palazzo Madama, Turin.jpg
King of Sardinia
3 September 1730 – 20 February 1773
PredecessorVictor Amadeus II
SuccessorVictor Amadeus III
Born(1701-04-27)27 April 1701
Turin, Italy
Died20 March 1773(1773-03-20) (aged 71)
Turin, Italy
Burial25 February 1773
SpouseAnne Christine of Sulzbach
Elisabeth Therese of Lorraine
Polyxena of Hesse-Rotenburg
Issue
Detail
Victor Amadeus III of Savoy
Princess Eleonora
Princess Maria Luisa
Princess Maria Felicita
Benedetto, Duke of Chablais
Full name
Carlo Emanuele di Savoia
FatherVictor Amadeus II of Savoy
MotherAnne Marie d'Orléans
SignatureCharles Emmanuel III's signature

Biography

He was born a Prince of Savoy in Turin to Victor Amadeus II of Savoy and Anne Marie d'Orléans. His maternal grandparents were (Prince) Philippe of France and his first wife Henrietta of England, daughter of Charles I of England and Queen Henrietta Maria.

At the time of his birth, Charles Emmanuel was styled the Duke of Aosta as his older brother Victor Amadeus, Prince of Piedmont was the Heir apparent. His older brother, the Prince of Piedmont died in 1715 and then Charles Emmanuel became Heir apparent.

In 1730 his father abdicated on 3 September leaving the throne to Charles. He was not loved by Victor Amadeus, and consequently received an incomplete education. He however acquired noteworthy knowledge in the military field along his father. A god ruler, he married three times and had eleven children in total. Charles Emmanuel died in Turin in 1773. He was buried in the Basilica of Superga.

Marriages and issue

He married three times, but his three wives all died before their 30th birthday. There were plans for him to marry Charlotte Aglaé d'Orléans but his mother declined the offer. Amalia d'Este was also a candidate, daughter of Rinaldo d'Este, Duke of Modena.

  1. Prince "Vittorio Amedeo" Theodore of Savoy (1723–1725) died in infancy;
  1. Victor Amadeus III of Sardinia (1726–1796); married Infanta Maria Antonia of Spain and had children. They were the ancestors of Henri, Count of Chambord;
  2. Princess Eleonora Maria Teresa of Savoy (1728–1781), unmarried.
  3. Princess Maria Luisa Gabriella of Savoy (1729-d.1767), a nun.
  4. Princess Maria Felicita of Savoy (1730–1801), unmarried.
  5. Prince Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy, Duke of Aosta (1731–1735) died in infancy;
  6. Prince "Carlo" Francesco Romualdo of Savoy, Duke of Chablais (1733-1733) died in infancy;
  1. Prince "Carlo" Francesco Maria Augusto of Savoy, Duke of Aosta (1738–1745) died in infancy;
  2. Princess Maria "Vittoria" Margherita of Savoy (1740–1742) died in infancy;
  3. Prince "Benedetto" Maria Maurizio of Savoy (1741–1808), Duke of Chablais (-1796) and Marquis of Ivrea (1796–1808). He married his niece Princess Maria Anna of Savoy (1757–1824), daughter of his older half-brother Victor Amadeus III, no children.

Titles, styles, honours and arms

Titles and styles