Princess of Naples

Happy Birthday to the Princess of Naples! The daughter of René Italo Ricolfi Doria and Iris Amalia Benvenuti, she was born in Switzerland, and became water skiing champion, winging the Women Tricks World Champion in 1955 and 1957, and Women Slalom World Champion in 1957. In 1971, she married Vittorio Emanuele of Savoy, the Prince of Naples, the only son of King Umberto II of Italy and Princess Marie Jose of Belgium, in Tehran, before the lavish Persepolis Celebrations. The marriage to a non-royal was a point of dynastic contention with King Umberto, and the Prince had unilaterally declared himself King of Italy in 1969 to give Marina the title of ‘Duchess of Sant’Anna di Valdieri’ and allow them to marry in accordance with dynastic laws. The Prince and Princess of Naples have one son, Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy, Prince of Venice married to French Actress Clotilde Courau. The family resided in Switzerland before being allowed to return to Italy in 2002. The Prince and Princess are frequently seen at royal events. We wish HRH a very Happy Birthday and Many Happy Returns!