As I sit here, having finished streaming Netflix’s latest docuseries, The King Who Never Was, I cannot help but feel a sense of unease.
It is undoubtedly one of the most intriguing and controversial true stories of our time.
Those who have seen the series are already aware of the incident. However, for people who are planning to do so, this blog will work as a background for you.
Who was the Prince who shot a teenager? Why did Vittorio Emanuele di Savoia kill Dirk Hamer? Why was he never convicted?
I will answer these questions in my article.
Since the Netflix docuseries throws light on Vittorio’s background and life, I feel it would be right to begin this blog with a brief history of Dirk Hamer.
Who Was Dirk Hamer?
Dirk Hamer was born on March 17, 1960, in Heidelberg, Germany. He was the son of Ryke Geerd Hamer, a German doctor known for his controversial theory of “Germanic New Medicine.”
Dirk was a student at the University of Heidelberg.
The 19-year-old German teenager was allegedly shot and killed by Vittorio Emanuele di Savoia, the Prince of Naples, on the island of Cavallo, off the southern coast of Corsica, on the night of August 17 or the early hours of August 18, 1978.
Why Did Vittoria Emanuele di Savoia Kill Dirk Hamer?
1978 was a time when the world seemed both vast and limitless, and the privileged few were seemingly untouchable.
The King Who Never Was is the tale of a young German teenager named Dirk Hamer, whose life was tragically cut short by the actions of a man who would go on to become known as The King Who Never Was – Vittorio Emanuele di Savoia.
The year was 1978, and the stage was set on the picturesque island of Cavallo, just off the southern coast of Corsica.
Dirk Hamer, a curious and adventurous young man, found himself on a yacht, seeking solace in the tranquil beauty of the Mediterranean.
In fact, the youngster was not even meant to be there. He was sent to the island to accompany his sister.
Little did he know that this night would forever alter the course of his life, and cast a dark shadow over the Italian monarchy.
It was the fateful night of August 17, or perhaps the early hours of August 18, when the events that would shape the destiny of Dirk Hamer and Vittorio Emanuele di Savoia unfolded.
Vittorio Emanuele, the Prince of Naples and heir to the Italian throne, claimed that he had fired his rifle into the air, intending to scare off a group of young people whom he believed had stolen his inflatable boat.
However, fate had a different plan in store.
The bullet that left Vittorio Emanuele’s rifle missed its intended target and struck Dirk Hamer, who was peacefully slumbering on the deck of a nearby yacht.
The echoes of that single shot reverberated through time, leaving Dirk Hamer fighting for his life.
Sadly, three months later, Dirk succumbed to his injuries, leaving behind grieving loved ones and a world forever changed.
Was Vittorio Emanuele Convicted? Did Dirk Hamer Get Justice?
The aftermath of this tragic incident was nothing short of a legal and moral battleground. Vittorio Emanuele faced charges of murder, but in a courtroom drama that captured the attention of the world, he was acquitted by a jury in 1979.
The verdict sparked outrage and fueled a fervent belief among many that justice had been denied.
The whispers of conspiracy and cover-ups lingered in the air, tainting the reputation of the Italian monarchy.
Yet, the story does not end there. In 2006, a bombshell revelation shook the world once more. A video surfaced, showing Vittorio Emanuele admitting to the killing of Dirk Hamer.
The weight of his confession was undeniable, but the legal system deemed it inadmissible as evidence.
Once again, the truth seemed to slip through the fingers of justice, leaving us with unanswered questions and a lingering sense of injustice.
The King Who Never Was sheds light on the complexities of Vittorio Emanuele’s life, beyond the tragedy that defined his legacy.
It delves into his troubled personal life, exploring his relationships with his parents, his son, his wife, and his overall personality.
The docuseries captivates audiences with its investigative journalism, meticulously piecing together the fragments of a story that has haunted the collective consciousness for decades.
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