Silvia, Duchess of Aosta
Encyclopedia
Princess Silvia, Duchess of Aosta (née Silvia Paternò di Spedalotto; born 31 December 1953) is the daughter of Vincenzo Paternò di Spedalotto, 6th Marchese di Regiovanni, and his wife Rosanna Bellardo e Ferraris. Prior to marriage she was styled Silvia Ottavia Costanza Maria Paternò di Spedalotto dei marchesi di Regiovanni.
Silvia is the second wife of Amedeo, 5th Duke of Aosta
, a claimant
to the Italian throne
, and head of a cadet branch
of the House of Savoy
. She married the duke
at the Villa Spedalotto
in 1987, a couple of months after the Roman Catholic Church annulled his first marriage, which had been dissolved civilly since 1982. Silvia and her husband live in the village of San Rocco near the town of Castiglion Fibocchi in Tuscany (about fifteen kilometres northwest of Arezzo
). The couple have no children together, although her husband has children by his first wife and by extramarital
relationships, including an acknowledged daughter born (2006) during their marriage.
Since the declaration by her husband in 2006 that he claims the title Duke of Savoy (the title borne by the head of the dynasty
until 1713), Silvia Paternò di Spedalotto uses the title "Duchess of Savoy" and "Duchess of Aosta", while retaining the style
of Royal Highness
.
Silvia is the second wife of Amedeo, 5th Duke of Aosta
Amedeo, 5th Duke of Aosta
Prince Amedeo of Savoy-Aosta, Duke of Aosta, is a claimant to the headship of the House of Savoy, the family which ruled Italy from 1861 to 1946, as well as the heir to the short-lived Kingdom of Croatia during World War II...
, a claimant
Pretender
A pretender is one who claims entitlement to an unavailable position of honour or rank. Most often it refers to a former monarch, or descendant thereof, whose throne is occupied or claimed by a rival, or has been abolished....
to the Italian throne
Throne
A throne is the official chair or seat upon which a monarch is seated on state or ceremonial occasions. "Throne" in an abstract sense can also refer to the monarchy or the Crown itself, an instance of metonymy, and is also used in many expressions such as "the power behind the...
, and head of a cadet branch
Cadet branch
Cadet branch is a term in genealogy to describe the lineage of the descendants of the younger sons of a monarch or patriarch. In the ruling dynasties and noble families of much of Europe and Asia, the family's major assets – titles, realms, fiefs, property and income – have...
of the House of Savoy
House of Savoy
The House of Savoy was formed in the early 11th century in the historical Savoy region. Through gradual expansion, it grew from ruling a small county in that region to eventually rule the Kingdom of Italy from 1861 until the end of World War II, king of Croatia and King of Armenia...
. She married the duke
Duke
A duke or duchess is a member of the nobility, historically of highest rank below the monarch, and historically controlling a duchy...
at the Villa Spedalotto
Villa Spedalotto
The Villa Spedalotto is the country home of the Paternò di Spedalotto family. The villa is situated on a hill surrounded by olive groves at Bagheria, near Palermo in Sicily. As all the Villas in Bagheria, it was built as a country house, and was traditionally used by the family only during the...
in 1987, a couple of months after the Roman Catholic Church annulled his first marriage, which had been dissolved civilly since 1982. Silvia and her husband live in the village of San Rocco near the town of Castiglion Fibocchi in Tuscany (about fifteen kilometres northwest of Arezzo
Arezzo
Arezzo is a city and comune in Central Italy, capital of the province of the same name, located in Tuscany. Arezzo is about 80 km southeast of Florence, at an elevation of 296 m above sea level. In 2011 the population was about 100,000....
). The couple have no children together, although her husband has children by his first wife and by extramarital
Adultery
Adultery is sexual infidelity to one's spouse, and is a form of extramarital sex. It originally referred only to sex between a woman who was married and a person other than her spouse. Even in cases of separation from one's spouse, an extramarital affair is still considered adultery.Adultery is...
relationships, including an acknowledged daughter born (2006) during their marriage.
Since the declaration by her husband in 2006 that he claims the title Duke of Savoy (the title borne by the head of the dynasty
Dynasty
A dynasty is a sequence of rulers considered members of the same family. Historians traditionally consider many sovereign states' history within a framework of successive dynasties, e.g., China, Ancient Egypt and the Persian Empire...
until 1713), Silvia Paternò di Spedalotto uses the title "Duchess of Savoy" and "Duchess of Aosta", while retaining the style
Style (manner of address)
A style of office, or honorific, is a legal, official, or recognized title. A style, by tradition or law, precedes a reference to a person who holds a post or political office, and is sometimes used to refer to the office itself. An honorific can also be awarded to an individual in a personal...
of Royal Highness
Royal Highness
Royal Highness is a style ; plural Royal Highnesses...
.
