Margherita of Savoy

Margherita of Savoy or Margaret of Savoy (born November 20, 1851 in Turin, died January 4, 1926 in Bordighera), was an Italian queen of the Kingdom of Italy during the reign (1878-1900) of her husband, Humbert I.

Princess Margherita
Margherita of Savoy, Queen of Italy.jpg
Queen consort of Italy
9 January 1878 – 29 July 1900
Born(1851-11-20)20 November 1851
Palazzo Chiablese, Turin,
Kingdom of Sardinia
Died4 January 1926(1926-01-04) (aged 74)
Bordighera, Italy
Burial
SpouseUmberto I of Italy
IssueVictor Emmanuel III
Full name
Margherita Maria Teresa Giovanna di Savoia
HouseHouse of Savoy (by birth)
House of Savoy (by marriage)
FatherPrince Ferdinand, Duke of Genoa
MotherPrincess Elisabeth of Saxony
SignaturePrincess Margherita's signature

Family

She was a daughter of Ferdinand, Duke of Genoa and Elizabeth of Saxony. Her paternal grandparents were Charles Albert of Sardinia and Maria Theresa of Austria. Her maternal grandparents were John of Saxony and Princess Amalie Auguste of Bavaria.

Marriage and child

She married her first cousin Humbert (Prince Umberto of Savoy) on April 21, 1868. In November 1869, Margherita gave birth to Victor Emmanuel.

Life

On January 9, 1878, Humbert succeeded as the new King of Italy. She became his Queen consort and remained by his side for the rest of his reign. Humbert was assassinated by anarchist Gaetano Bresci on July 29, 1900.

Margherita supported artists and writers,and the Red Cross, and founded cultural institutions, like the Società del Quartetto, and the Casa di Dante.

In 1889 the pizza Margherita was named after her. It is the colors of the Italian flag. Red sauce, green basil and white cheese. After the pizza, a Peak was named like the queen, and then in 2007, the third highest mountain in Africa.

Politically she supported the Fascism.

Children

  1. Prince Victor Emmanuel of Savoy (future king of Italy) (I11 November 1869 – 28 December 1947) married Princess Elena of Montenegro and had children.

Titles and styles

  • 20 November 1851 – 21 April 1868 Her Royal Highness Princess Margherita of Savoy
  • 21 April 1868 – 9 January 1878 Her Royal Highness The Princess of Piedmont
  • 9 January 1878 – 29 July 1900 Her Majesty The Queen of Italy
  • 29 July 1900 – 4 January 1926 Her Majesty The Queen Mother of Italy