The pretender to Italy’s throne, Victor Emmanuel, may pass the responsibility as head of the Savoy dynasty to his son.

The son of King Umberto II, Italy’s last king, Victor Emmanuel has been having his share of problems over the years. Recently, he was reputed to be part of a criminal ring that recruited prostitutes and bribed government officials. In the late 1970s, he was accused of killing a German tourist.

But those who hold out hope for the return of the Italian monarchy do not place their bets on the aging, scandal-ridden Victor Emmanuel, 69. Instead, they look to his son Emmanuel Filiberto, 34, to lead the House of Savoy. This would “give the royal lineage a fresher, and cleaner, face”.

Sent into exile after the Italian republic came to power in 1946, it was only in 2002 that male members of the Savoy dynasty were allowed back into Italy. They had been accused of siding with Moussolini during WWII, and were branded as traitors.

But when the government once again allowed the royal men of Savoy the country, there was a catch. In return, they had to swear allegiance to the Italian republic. However, there have been rumblings of a return to the throne for this controversial house by many monarchist groups around Italy.