Cappuccino Experience

Prince Charming Captures Italian Hearts

Emanuele Filiberto with dance partner Natalia Titova

Last night Emanuele Filiberto, Prince of Venice and Piedmont, won the celebrity dance competition on Rai 1 Ballando con le stelle (Dancing with the Stars) along with his partner Natalia Titova. He beat off strong competition from Andrea Montovoli (actor) / Ola Karieva (2nd), Alessio Di Clemente (actor) / Alessandra Mason (3rd), Stefano Bettarini (ex footballer) / Samanta Togni (4th), and Emanuela Aureli (comedian) / Roberto Imperatori (5th). His victory was fully deserved.

Who is Emanuele Filiberto

Emanuele Filiberto Umberto Reza Rene Maria di Savoia (b. 22 June 1972, Geneva) is the only son of Vittorio Emanuele, the last Crown Prince of Italy, and grandson of Umberto II, the last King of Italy. Due to the Italian constitution prohibiting male heirs of the House of Savoy entering Italy (abolished only in 2002) he was raised outside Italy.

Emanuele Filiberto during the final of Ballando con le Stelle

In 2007 he asked the Italian State to pay him €90 million in damages for the injustice of the exile. This was rejected and his reputation with the Italian public was badly damaged.

His appearance on the popular celebrity dance show (heavily criticised in the beginning) was an attempt to show a different side of his personality and it looks like it might have paid off. He came across as a very friendly, down to earth, normal guy. He seems to know how to market himself and can even be found on Facebook. (I couldn’t find Prince Charles when I did a search!). After using this service to send him a message I received this reply (demonstrating the power of the internet!):

“Grazie mille per il tuo gentile messaggio. La mia vittoria è anche la tua. Un Bacio e a presto“.

What will he do next? Watch this space.

If you would like to see him in action click these clips from Youtube.