Editing Charles Albert of Sardinia (section)

=== Final days in Porto ===
[[File:Carlo Alberto morte.jpg|thumb|left|The death of Charles Albert in a contemporary print]]
[[File:Pr Carlos Alberto placa (Porto).JPG|thumb|right|Charles Albert Square, Porto, Portugal]]
Once his arrival in Porto became known, Charles Albert was hosted at the ''Hotel do Peixe'', where he remained for two weeks, as his condition worsened. Then he accepted a new residence from a private individual on the ''rua de Entre Quintas'', with a view of the ocean. On 3 May, he hosted [[Giacinto Collegno|Giacinto Provana di Collegno]] and [[Luigi Cibrario]], who brought him greetings from the Piedmontese government.<ref>{{harvnb|Bertoldi|pp=268–269}}</ref> To them, he said: 
{{Blockquote|Despite my abdication, if ever a new war arises against Austria... I will come running immediately, even if only as a simple soldier, among the ranks of her enemies... I am equally raised up by the thought and the hope that... the day will come which I tried to bring about... The nation could have had a better prince than me, but not one that loved her more. To make her free, independent and great... I carried out every sacrifice with a happy heart... I sought death [in battle] and did not find it...|Charles Albert to Collegno and Cibrario, May 1849, in {{harvnb|Bertoldi|p=269}}}}

During this time, Charles Albert suffered from progressive decay, coughing and abscesses. He had two heart attacks, but the doctors considered the condition of his liver the most serious issue, for which the former king abstained from eating very much and fasted on Wednesdays. He read the letters and newspapers which arrived from Italy. He wrote occasionally to his wife, but regularly and with feeling to the Countess of Robilant. He forbade his mother, wife, and children from visiting.<ref>{{harvnb|Bertoldi|pp=270–271}}</ref>
[[File:Casale Monferrato-piazza Mazzini7.jpg|thumb|Equestrian statue of Charles Albert at [[Casale Monferrato]]]]
In the month after his arrival, his health had deteriorated irreparably. From 3 July, he was assisted by the doctor [[Alessandro Riberi]], whom Victor Emmanuel had sent from Turin. He was no longer able to get out of bed and coughing fits were ever more frequent. He passed the night of 27 July in great difficulty. On the morning of 28 July, he seemed better, but then deteriorated as a result of a third heart attack. The Portuguese priest don Antonio Peixoto, who had assisted him spiritually, met with him and administered [[extreme unction]]. Charles Albert whispered in [[Latin]], ''In manus tuas, Domine, commendo spiritum meum'' (Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit). He fell asleep with the crucifix on his chest and died at 3:30 in the afternoon, a little over 51 years old.<ref>{{harvnb|Bertoldi|pp=271–272}}</ref>

His body was embalmed and displayed in the [[Porto Cathedral|Cathedral of Porto]]. On 3 September, the ships, ''Mozambano'' and ''Goito'' arrived under the command of his cousin Eugene Emmanuel. On 19 September the corpse was brought on board the ''Monzambano'', which departed for Genoa that evening. It arrived on 4 October. The funeral took place in [[Turin Cathedral]] on 13 October, with [[Alexis Billiet]], Archbishop of [[Chambéry]], presiding along with five Piedmontese bishops, and was well-attended by the people. The day after, the body was solemnly interred in the crypt of the [[Basilica of Superga]], where it still lies.<ref>{{harvnb|Comandini, II|pp=1705, 1710, 1712, 1714}}</ref>