3-075-044 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The late Duke of Aosta, Prince Amadeo of Italy, ex-King of Spain, 1890. 'The death, after a very short illness...of this popular Prince of the Royal House of Savoy, the reigning family of Italy, is much regretted. He was, for little more than two years, King of Spain; but there is no cause to regret that he voluntarily abdicated a foreign throne. Amadeo Ferdinand Maria of Savoy-Carignan...served in the Italian Army, attaining the rank of Lieutenant-General, was also a Vice-Admiral of the Navy. In 1870, at the invitation of Marshal Prim, he became a candidate for the Crown of Spain, which had been already rejected by other Princes to whom it was offered...The Prince went to Spain at the end of that year...Marshal Prim died of his wounds received from assassins two days before. The young King bravely fronted the difficulties and dangers of his position, but was feebly supported. No permanent Ministry could be formed, and Republican and Communistic insurrections followed...In 1872 the new Carlist war broke out in the north, and the King and Queen were shot at by assassins in the streets of Madrid. At length, in February 1873, the King announced his intention to abdicate; left Spain and came back to Italy, where he has since lived'. From "Illustrated London News", 1890.