Victor Amadeus of Savoy was the eldest son of Victor Amadeus II, Duke of Savoy and his French wife Anne Marie d"Orléans.
Background
He acted as Regent of Savoy from September 1713 till September 1714 in the absences of his father. The Prince of Piedmont was born in Turin on 6 May 1699. He was the fifth child and first son of his parents and was baptised with the names Vittorio Amadeo Giovanni Filippo.
The eldest son he would remain close to his father all his life who in turn adored his son who was named after him.
Though his parents were not close he also had a close relationship with his mother Anne Marie d"Orléans, a niece of Louis XIV and grand daughter of the murdered Charles I of England.
Career
He was the heir apparent of Savoy from his birth and as such was styled as the Prince of Piedmont. He died of smallpox at the age of 15. From birth he was styled as the Prince of Piedmont, the typical style for the Heir apparent to the Duke of Savoy.
Piedmont was born at a time when the House of Savoy was in need of a male heir to succeed as the duchy observed Salic law which forbade females to inherit the throne.
His birth was greeted with great celebration and throughout his life, his health would require constant attention. His father took part in the battle which was played out to west of the city.
The prince was moved from female care in 1708. In 1713, at the end of the War of the Spanish Succession, by the Treaty of Utrecht, Sicily was ceded to the Duke of Savoy, Piedmont"s father.
As such, Piedmont became the heir to a Kingdom rather than a sovereign Duchy.
Victor Amadeus II asked his mother, Marie Jeanne of Savoy, to maintain a regency in his absence but she declined and Piedmont was give the post. Piedmont"s regency ended when his father returned in September 1714. Strained relations between Savoy and Austria caused plans for the Prince of Piedmont to wed Archduchess Maria Amalia of Austria, a daughter of the late Joseph I, Holy Roman Emperor but plans were ignored by his father.
There were also negotiations for Piedmont to wed Infanta Francisca Josefa of Portugal or Elisabeth Farnese.
Piedmont died in Turin on 22 March 1715 having caught smallpox. He was buried at the Cathedral of Saint Giovanni Battista and later moved to the Basilica of Superga outside Turin.
His body is located in the Sala degli Infanti (Hall of the Infantes ). Titles and styles
6 May 1699 – 11 April 1713 His Highness the Prince of Piedmont
11 April 1713 – 22 March 1715 His Royal Highness the Prince of Piedmont.