Prince Aimone, Duke of Aosta (b. 1900)

Prince Aimone: A Life Bridging Italian Nobility and War-Time Diplomacy

Prince Aimone, 4th Duke of Aosta, born Aimone Roberto Margherita Maria Giuseppe Torino on 9 March 1900, was a distinguished member of Italy's revered House of Savoy and a high-ranking officer in the Royal Italian Navy. The House of Savoy, Italy's reigning dynasty from the unification of Italy in 1861 until the end of the monarchy in 1946, held significant historical and political weight. Aimone, the second son of Prince Emanuele Filiberto, Duke of Aosta, was granted the hereditary title of Duke of Spoleto on 22 September 1904, a common practice for junior members of royal houses.

His naval career was notable, culminating in the rank of Admiral of Division. He inherited the prestigious title of Duke of Aosta on 3 March 1942, succeeding his elder brother, Prince Amedeo, 3rd Duke of Aosta. Amedeo, a celebrated figure and commander of Italian forces in East Africa during World War II, tragically died in a British prisoner of war camp in Nairobi, Kenya, due to complications from malaria and tuberculosis.

Nominal King of Croatia: Tomislav II

Perhaps the most extraordinary chapter of Prince Aimone's life began on 18 May 1941, when he was designated as King of the Independent State of Croatia (Croatian: Nezavisna Država Hrvatska, NDH). The NDH was an Axis puppet state established by Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany following the invasion and dismemberment of Yugoslavia. Despite this designation, Prince Aimone never actually ruled in Croatia, nor did he ever set foot in the territory.

He formally accepted the position and adopted the regnal name Tomislav II, paying homage to Tomislav I, the first King of Croatia, who reigned around 925 AD. This choice of name aimed to provide a veneer of historical legitimacy and continuity for the newly formed state, aligning it with ancient Croatian sovereignty, despite its true nature as an Axis satellite.

However, Aimone's acceptance was quickly followed by protest. He refused to assume full kingship in protest of the Italian annexation of a significant portion of the Dalmatia region. This annexation was formalized by the Treaties of Rome on 18 May 1941, between Fascist Italy and the NDH, which effectively ceded substantial Croatian territories to Italy. Prince Aimone viewed this as a direct affront to Croatian sovereignty and a move that rendered his own position as king largely meaningless. Consequently, some historical sources refer to him more accurately as "king designate" rather than a ruling monarch.

Nevertheless, for the initial two years of the NDH's existence (1941–1943), many sources continued to refer to him as Tomislav II, King of Croatia, acknowledging his role as the nominal head of state. It is crucial to note that real power within the NDH rested firmly with the Ustaše nationalist movement and its leader, Ante Pavelić, who held the title of Poglavnik (leader).

Abdication and Later Life

The political landscape dramatically shifted in Italy with the dismissal of Benito Mussolini on 25 July 1943, following a vote by the Fascist Grand Council and his subsequent arrest by order of King Victor Emmanuel III. In the wake of these seismic events, Prince Aimone formally abdicated his title as King of Croatia on 31 July 1943. This abdication was carried out on the direct orders of Victor Emmanuel III, as Italy began to distance itself from its Axis commitments and pursue an armistice with the Allies. Prince Aimone lived until 29 January 1948.

Frequently Asked Questions About Prince Aimone and Tomislav II

Who was Prince Aimone, 4th Duke of Aosta?
Prince Aimone was a member of the Italian House of Savoy, a Royal Italian Navy officer, and the second son of Prince Emanuele Filiberto, Duke of Aosta. He inherited the title of 4th Duke of Aosta in 1942.
Why was Prince Aimone designated King of Croatia?
He was designated King of the Independent State of Croatia (NDH) by Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany in 1941, following the invasion of Yugoslavia. This was an attempt to lend historical legitimacy to the newly formed Axis puppet state through a royal figure from the Italian monarchy.
Did Tomislav II (Prince Aimone) ever rule Croatia?
No, Prince Aimone never actually ruled Croatia and never visited the country. He served only as a nominal head of state, and eventually refused to fully assume the kingship in protest of Italian annexations of Croatian territory.
What was the Independent State of Croatia (NDH)?
The NDH was a fascist, ultranationalist, and clerical-fascist puppet state established in parts of occupied Yugoslavia during World War II, controlled primarily by the Ustaše organization and its leader Ante Pavelić, under the patronage of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy.
Why did Prince Aimone abdicate his claim to the Croatian throne?
He abdicated on 31 July 1943, on the orders of King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy. This occurred shortly after the dismissal of Benito Mussolini and as Italy was moving to withdraw from its alliance with the Axis powers and pursue an armistice with the Allies.