On Saturday, at the entrance of Vittorio Emanuele's coffin into the Cathedral of Turin, the notes of the Sardinian anthem, “Hymnu sardu nationale”, a song by Giovanni Gonella with lyrics in Sardinian by Vittorio Angius, will resonate.
Written for Carlo Alberto of Savoy and also equipped with an Italian text, it was very dear to the rulers, who used it together with the Royal March on various public occasions until 1937. And Vittorio Emanuele himself during his lifetime had expressed the wish that at his funeral was carried out.
Various royal houses of Europe will participate in the funeral: Albert of Monaco, the Imperial House of France, the Habsburgs, the head prince of the Royal House of Albania, George of Russia, Charles of Bourbon of Naples, the crown prince of Portugal. Also contacts with the royal houses of Spain, Greece and Serbia.
The coffin of the son of the last king of Italy will be placed on the ground as per tradition. As if he were a king, in fact: around there will be the Guard of Honor of the Pantheon presided over by Commander Ugo D'Atri. In the front row his son Emanuele Filiberto with his mother Marina Doria. Two giant screens will also be positioned in the square from which it will be possible to follow the funeral service.
The coffin will arrive at the church at 2.50 pm while the funeral will begin at 3 pm. Vittorio Emanuele's remains will be buried "in a strictly private manner" in the royal crypt in the Basilica of Superga. On Friday 9th, from 12.30pm to 9pm, the funeral chapel will be set up in the church of Sant'Uberto, inside the Royal Palace of Venaria, on the outskirts of Turin.
(Unioneonline/L)
