The history of Italian monarchs primarily revolves around the House of Savoy, which ruled the Kingdom of Italy from its unification in 1861 until the monarchy was abolished in 1946. King Victor Emmanuel II was the first king of unified Italy, playing a crucial role in the country's unification process alongside figures like Giuseppe Garibaldi and Count Camillo di Cavour. The monarchy faced various challenges, including political instability and the aftermath of World War II. In 1946, a referendum led to the establishment of the Italian Republic, marking the end of the monarchy and the exile of the last king, Umberto II.