Victor Emmanuel III Biography

Birth of Victor Emmanuel III, son of Umberto I

Succeeds as King of Italy, Son of Umberto I

Supports the government decision that leads Italy to enter the war after the secret London agreement.

Signs the declaration of war on Austria

Italy begins to invade Austria along a 60 mile front

Russia and Italy declare war on Bulgaria

Agrees to the Vatican Concordat & recognizes the sovereignty of the Vatican City

Agrees to the Vatican Concordat & recognizes the sovereignty of the Vatican City

Agrees to the Vatican Concordat & recognizes the sovereignty of the Vatican City

Succeeds as King of Italy. Assumes the title, "Emperor of Ethiopia"

Succeeds as the King of Albania after the Italian occupation

Succeeds as the King of Albania after the Italian occupation

Dismisses Benito Mussolini as head of government after the Fascist Grand Council crisis and orders his arrest.

Faces the collapse of Italian military authority after the public announcement of the armistice.

Leaves Rome with Badoglio and reaches Allied-controlled southern Italy as German forces occupy the capital.

Leaves the capital with Badoglio and senior military officials as German forces threaten the royal government.

Remains head of state as the royal government becomes a recognized co-belligerent against Germany.

Authorizes the royal Italian government's declaration of war on Germany.

Relinquishes all his power to his son Umberto II

Promises to retire when the Allies enter Rome

Signs a decree making Umberto "Lieutenant of the Realm"

Victor Emmanuel III abdicates