The remains of exiled King Victor Emmanuel III, whose rule through two world wars led to the end of Italy's monarchy, are expected to be returned to a family mausoleum near Turin soon, an Italian church said Saturday. The announcement from the Sanctuary of the Nativity of Mary in Vicoforte came hours after the remains of the king's late wife, Queen Elena, were secretly transferred to the sanctuary from Montpellier, France, where she died in 1959.

Victor Emmanuel ruled Italy from 1900-1946, when he abdicated in favor of his son, Umberto II, in a desperate bid to preserve the monarchy amid rising republican sentiment following Italy's disastrous involvement in World War II.