Descendants of Italy’s last king should not have crown jewels, court rules

Judge says 300m collection should remain property of state, after attempt by family of Umberto II to reclaim jewels

A court in Italy has rejected a request made by the descendants of the country's last king to reclaim the crown jewels, with the judge ordering that the national treasures remain the property of the state.

In February 2022, the descendants of Italy's last monarch sued the Italian state to reclaim the jewels, which for almost 78 years have been stashed in a treasure chest in a safety deposit box at the Bank of Italy - the country's central bank - amid a long-running saga over their ownership.