Prince Charles-Henri de Lobkowicz

— Lupini takes readers on an extraordinary journey through the thousand-year saga of the House of Savoy, the dynasty that transformed a divided peninsula into the modern nation of Italy. From the Alpine valleys to the grand halls of Turin and Rome, Lupini brings to life the vision, strategy, and resilience of a family that shaped European history. He reveals the human side of history: the ambitions, struggles, and decisive choices that propelled the Savoy’s from modest beginnings to the forefront of nation-building. This is history told with energy, precision, and the storyteller’s eye for the moments that define a people and their destiny.

Professor Neil Kent

— The Royal House of Savoy: The Unifiers of Italy is the first book in many years to focus on the history of the Royal House of Savoy, since its founding in 1003AD until the present day, but with its main focus in the last two centuries. The role of this house has changed dramatically over the years, most profoundly after the fall of the monarchy in Italy in 1946, after a controversial referendum. Today, under Prince Emanuele Filiberto, prince of Venice, its role is mainly charitable, through the Dynastic Orders of Savoy, of which he is the head. However, in Italy, the politics of which have increasingly shifted back to a core belief based on traditional values, it remains to be seen what role it may play in the future. Lupini gives a non-partisan view of the political, social, cultural and personal background of this fascinating family whose role on the European stage is still significant.

Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia

— Across centuries of division and foreign domination, Italy’s destiny hung in the balance until one extraordinary dynasty dared to dream of unity. In this book, Gino tells the riveting story of the House of Savoy, master strategists for centuries, whose ascent from Alpine counts to kings transformed a fractured peninsula into a unified kingdom. A sweeping chronicle of triumph over impossible odds.

The Royal Watcher

— Gino Lupini masterfully illuminates the shrewd political strategy and deft diplomacy that enabled the illustrious Savoy dynasty to endure and dominate through centuries of turmoil and fractured loyalties. The work reveals that their most lasting achievement was the forging and safeguarding of Italian unity, a profound legacy that continues to resonate long after the dynasty’s own downfall, while their charitable initiatives, traditions, and foundations ensure that the House of Savoy’s dynastic legacy lives on. 

Gino Neil Lupini was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, to an Italian father and British mother. He was educated at South African College Schools (SACS), the oldest school in the country, where he developed a lifelong passion for history, education, and sports. Upon completing his schooling, Lupini embarked on a professional rugby career that led him to Italy, where he proudly represented the Italian National Rugby Team. After retiring from professional sports, he transitioned into the field of education, where he continues to inspire young minds through teaching and writing. Lupini’s literary journey began under a pen name with a fantasy novel for young adults, followed by two additional works that reimagined the ideals of folklore through a modern lens. His enduring fascination with history led to a pivotal encounter with Prince Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy, the de jure King of Italy. This meeting marked the beginning of Lupini’s close collaboration with the Italian Royal House, to which he contributed to charitable, cultural, and traditional initiatives across Europe. His service to the House of Savoy earned him recognition in the form of a Knighthood in the dynastic order of chivalry. He continues to advocate for the transformative power of education and the enduring relevance of historical consciousness in shaping modern identity.