The story of Maria José of Savoy, who served as queen of Italy after World War II for only 27 days before Italians voted to abolish the monarchy, is set to be the subject of a new historical drama. Titled “Maestà” (“Majesty”), the film will be directed by Ginevra Elkann (“If Only”) and is based on an idea by Italy’s revered auteur Marco Bellocchio, who will co-write the screenplay.
The daughter of Albert I, the King of Belgium, Maria José married Italy’s Prince Umberto II, whose father, King Vittorio Emanuele III, cooperated with fascist dictator Benito Mussolini. She became known as “the May Queen” because she and her husband reigned for just 27 days in 1946, from May 9 — when Victor Emanuel III abdicated in favor of his son, hoping to save the throne for the House of Savoy during the turmoil after Mussolini’s fall — until June 2, when Italians voted to abolish the monarchy and the Savoys went into exile.
