Editing Umberto II of Italy (section)

===Under the Fascist Regime===
Following the Savoyards' tradition ("Only one Savoy reigns at a time"), Umberto was kept apart from active politics until he was named [[Luogotenente|Lieutenant General of the Realm]].<ref name="Denis Mack Smith p.272"/> He made an exception when [[Adolf Hitler]] asked for a meeting. This was not considered proper, given the international situation; thereafter, Umberto was more rigorously excluded from political events. In 1935, Umberto supported the war against the [[Ethiopian Empire]], which he called a "legitimate war" that even [[Giovanni Giolitti]] would have supported had he still been alive.<ref name="Denis Mack Smith p.271">Denis Mack Smith, ''Italy and Its Monarchy'', New Haven: Yale University Press p. 271</ref> Umberto wanted to serve in the [[Second Italo-Ethiopian War|Ethiopian war]], but was prevented from doing so by his father, who did, however, allow four royal dukes to serve in East Africa.<ref name="Denis Mack Smith p.271"/> Umberto conformed to his father's expectations and behaved like an army officer; the prince obediently got down on his knees to kiss his father's hand before speaking. However, Umberto privately resented what he regarded as a deeply humiliating relationship with his cold and emotionally distant father.<ref name="Denis Mack Smith p.272"/> Umberto's attitude toward the Fascist regime varied: at times, he mocked the more pompous aspects of Fascism and his father for supporting such a regime, while at other times, he praised Mussolini as a great leader.<ref>Denis Mack Smith, ''Italy and Its Monarchy'', New Haven: Yale University Press pp. 272–273</ref>