Italian royalty refers to the noble families and monarchs that ruled various regions of Italy before the establishment of the Italian Republic in 1946. The most notable royal house was the House of Savoy, which played a significant role in the unification of Italy in the 19th century. King Victor Emmanuel II became the first king of a unified Italy in 1861. Italy had several other royal families, including the Bourbon dynasty in the south and the Medici family in Florence. These families contributed to Italy's rich cultural heritage, influencing art, politics, and society throughout history. The monarchy was officially abolished after World War II, leading to the establishment of a democratic republic.