Princess Mafalda of Savoy: true story behind royal who died in concentration camp. The Princess was deeply disliked by Hitler

Mafalda of Savoy, the second daughter of King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy and Queen Elena of Montenegro, lived a life steeped in royal duty, yet she met one of the most tragic fates of any European princess during World War II. Her story is one of loss, suffering, and immense courage, deeply intertwined with the complex politics of the time. Although her name is lesser-known than many historical figures, the tragic life of Mafalda of Savoy remains a poignant reminder of the human cost of war.

Early Life of Mafalda of Savoy: A Princess Destined for Greatness

Born on November 19, 1902, in Rome, Princess Mafalda grew up in the royal household of the Kingdom of Italy. Her family represented one of the most influential monarchies in Europe at the time. Mafalda was raised in a sheltered and luxurious environment, typical of European aristocracy, alongside her siblings, including her brother Umberto, who would later become the last King of Italy.

In 1925, Mafalda married Prince Philipp of Hesse, a German nobleman from a prominent family, aligning her with the German aristocracy. Her marriage initially symbolized the political and cultural connections between Italy and Germany, which were then becoming closer due to Mussolini’s rise to power. She and Philipp had four children together, and by all accounts, they lived a relatively peaceful life, moving between their estates in Italy and Germany.

Political Turmoil and Mafalda’s Changing World

Mafalda’s peaceful life, however, began to unravel with the onset of World War II. As the conflict intensified, political alliances shifted. Her father, King Victor Emmanuel III, was initially aligned with Mussolini and Hitler, but his position changed after Italy’s growing dissatisfaction with Mussolini’s leadership. In July 1943, Italy’s leadership collapsed, and Victor Emmanuel III had Mussolini arrested. Shortly thereafter, Italy negotiated an armistice with the Allies, essentially switching sides in the war.

This realignment put Mafalda, living in Nazi Germany, in a precarious position. Her husband, Prince Philipp of Hesse, was initially a supporter of Hitler, serving as a high-ranking member of the Nazi Party. However, his influence had waned by the mid-1940s, and he was eventually imprisoned by Hitler on suspicion of disloyalty.

The combination of Mafalda’s royal connections to the Italian monarchy and her husband’s deteriorating relationship with the Nazis made her a prime target for retribution. Adolf Hitler, enraged by King Victor Emmanuel III’s betrayal, viewed Mafalda as an enemy, though she had never been politically active.

Mafalda’s Arrest: The Beginning of Her Tragic Ordeal

In September 1943, under the pretext of inviting her to a meeting about her imprisoned husband, the Nazis lured Mafalda to the German embassy in Rome. Upon her arrival, she was arrested by the Gestapo and sent to Germany, where she was eventually imprisoned in Buchenwald concentration camp.

Her status as a royal did not protect her from the horrors of life in a Nazi concentration camp. Mafalda was forced into harsh conditions, deprived of adequate food, medical care, and communication with her family. She suffered in silence, enduring the daily cruelties of the camp, despite being a symbol of royalty and aristocratic privilege.

The Tragic End: Mafalda’s Death in Buchenwald

On August 24, 1944, an air raid struck Buchenwald, causing a catastrophic fire in the barracks where Mafalda was imprisoned. She sustained severe injuries, including burns and a shattered arm. Despite her injuries, Mafalda was denied proper medical care. Her condition worsened, and her arm was amputated in an attempt to save her life, but due to infection and neglect, Mafalda of Savoy died on August 27, 1944, at the age of 41.

Her death marked a tragic end to a royal life that had been shattered by war and political strife. After the war, her body was returned to Italy, where she was laid to rest in the crypt of the Savoy family in Rome.

The Forgotten Tragedy of a Princess

Despite her royal background and tragic fate, Mafalda of Savoy’s story has remained relatively obscure in the broader context of World War II history. Her death is a stark reminder of how even those born into privilege were not immune to the ravages of war. Unlike many wartime stories of heroism or political intrigue, Mafalda’s life was defined by her personal suffering—her tragedy lying in her helplessness to control the forces of history that surrounded her.

Her children, orphaned by her death, were raised by her relatives and survived the war. Her husband, Prince Philipp, was released from captivity after the war ended and lived until 1980, though he was forever marked by the loss of his wife.

Mafalda of Savoy: A Symbol of War’s Devastation

Mafalda’s story is a stark contrast to the traditional images of royal glamour and power. She is remembered today as a symbol of the indiscriminate cruelty of war. Her bravery and stoicism in the face of unimaginable suffering remain a testament to her character. Although her life was brief and tragic, Mafalda of Savoy’s memory continues to echo through history as a royal victim of a dark and turbulent time.

Remembering a Lost Princess

The tragic story of Mafalda of Savoy is one that deserves to be remembered not only for the personal suffering she endured but also for what it represents—a tale of the human cost of war, where even royalty was not spared. As the world reflects on the devastation of World War II, Mafalda’s story reminds us of the fragility of life and the far-reaching consequences of political conflict.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Mafalda of Savoy

1. Who was Mafalda of Savoy?

Mafalda of Savoy was an Italian princess, the second daughter of King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy and Queen Elena of Montenegro. She is known for her tragic fate during World War II when she was arrested by the Nazis and imprisoned in the Buchenwald concentration camp, where she eventually died.

2. What was Mafalda of Savoy’s role during World War II?

Mafalda of Savoy did not play a political or military role during World War II. However, she became a victim of the war’s shifting alliances when her father, King Victor Emmanuel III, turned against Mussolini and the Nazis. This led to her arrest by the Nazis as part of their retribution against the Italian royal family.

3. How did Mafalda of Savoy die?

Mafalda of Savoy was severely injured during an Allied air raid on the Buchenwald concentration camp in August 1944. She sustained burns and had her arm amputated due to the severity of her injuries, but she was denied proper medical care, leading to her death on August 27, 1944, from infection and neglect.

4. Why was Mafalda of Savoy imprisoned by the Nazis?

Mafalda was imprisoned by the Nazis because Adolf Hitler viewed her as an enemy after her father, King Victor Emmanuel III, had Mussolini arrested and Italy switched sides to join the Allies. Mafalda’s ties to both the Italian monarchy and her husband, Prince Philipp of Hesse, who had fallen out of favor with the Nazi regime, made her a target.

5. What happened to Mafalda of Savoy’s family after her death?

Mafalda’s children were orphaned following her death and were raised by her relatives. Her husband, Prince Philipp of Hesse, was imprisoned by the Nazis but survived the war. He was released in 1945 and lived until 1980. Mafalda’s children also survived the war and went on to lead private lives.

6. Where is Mafalda of Savoy buried?

Mafalda of Savoy is buried in the crypt of the Savoy family in the Basilica of Superga in Turin, Italy. After the war, her remains were repatriated, and she was laid to rest alongside other members of the royal family.

7. Why is Mafalda of Savoy’s story not as well-known as other royal tragedies?

Mafalda’s story is lesser-known because she was not a politically active figure, and much of her life was overshadowed by the larger events of World War II. Her tragic end, though deeply personal, occurred amidst the massive scale of the war’s atrocities, making her story relatively obscure in the grand historical narrative.

8. How did Mafalda’s husband, Prince Philipp of Hesse, relate to the Nazis?

Prince Philipp of Hesse was initially a supporter of Adolf Hitler and held a position in the Nazi Party. However, by the mid-1940s, he had fallen out of favor with Hitler. He was eventually imprisoned by the Nazi regime, which marked the decline of his influence and indirectly contributed to Mafalda’s arrest and imprisonment.

9. What is Mafalda of Savoy remembered for today?

Mafalda of Savoy is remembered as a symbol of the tragic consequences of war. Her life, marked by her royal status, was shattered by political turmoil, making her a victim of the very forces that her family once aligned with. Her story serves as a reminder of the human cost of war, even among the most privileged.

10. Is there any memorial or tribute to Mafalda of Savoy?

There are several memorials dedicated to Mafalda, including her resting place in the crypt of the Basilica of Superga. In Germany, a hospital ward in Buchenwald was named after her in honor of her suffering. Additionally, various historical writings and documentaries reflect on her tragic story, keeping her memory alive.