The Prince of Leonforte (Italian: Principe di Leonforte) is a noble title in Italy held by the House of Borghese, and previously by the families Branciforte and Lanza. The title derives its name from Leonforte, a town in Sicily. Indeed, the town gained its name from the coat of arms of the Branciforte, depicting a strong lion (Italian: Leone Forte). It was originally created in 1614, during Philip III of Spain's reign as King of Naples for Nicolò Placido Branciforte. The title remained in the family until 1812, when Stefania Branciforte married Giuseppe Lanza Prince of Trabia. The family was thereafter known as Lanza Branciforte. The title was recognized by the Kingdom of Italy after the unification of Italy. In 1927, Sofia Lanza-Branciforte, who was married to Don Giangiacomo Borghese, later Governor of Rome, was granted the title by Ministerial Decree. The title was thereafter used by her descendants, who are members of the House of Borghese.

House of Branciforte, 1614–1812 Prince Image Death Nicolò Placido 1st Prince of Leonforte1614–1661 1661 Giuseppe 2nd Prince of Leonforte1661–1698 1698 Nicolò Placido 3rd Prince of Leonforte1698–1728 1728 Ercole 4th Prince of Leonforte1728–1780 1780 Giuseppe 5th Prince of Leonforte1780–1806 1806 Nicolò Placido 6th Prince of Leonforte1806–1807 1807 Emanuele 7th Prince of Leonforte1807–1808 1808 Giuseppe 8th Prince of Leonforte1808–1812 1812

House of Lanza Branciforte, 1812–1927 Prince Image Birth Marriages Death Giuseppe 9th Prince of Leonforte1812–1855 31 October 1780Palermo, Kingdom of Naplesson of Don Pietro, 7th Prince of Trabia and Anna BranciforteStefania Branciforte 18052 children 2 February 1855Palermo, Kingdom of Naplesaged 75 Pietro 10th Prince of Leonforte1855–1855 4 August 1813Palermo, Kingdom of Naplesson of Giuseppe, 9th Prince of Leonforte, 8th Prince of Trabia and Stefania BranciforteSofia Galeotti 29 June 18325 children 27 June 1855Paris, Franceaged 42Giuseppe 11th Prince of Leonforte1855–1868 20 June 1833Palermo, Kingdom of Naplesson of Pietro, 10th Prince of Leonforte, 9th Prince of Trabia and Sofia GaleottiEleonora Spinelli 29 June 18323children 27 April 1855Munich, Kingdom of Bavariaaged 35 Pietro 12th Prince of Leonforte1868–1927 18 August 1862Florence, Kingdom of Italyson of Giuseppe, 11th Prince of Leonforte, 10th Prince of Trabia and Eleonora SpinelliGiulia Florio 6 December 18855 children 16 October 1929Palermo, Kingdom of Italyaged 96

House of Borghese, 1927–present Prince Image Birth Marriages Death Sofia 13th Princess of Leonforte1927–1984 3 March 1896Palermo, Kingdom of Italydaughter of Pietro, 12th Prince of Leonforte, 11th Prince of Trabia and Giulia FlorioDon Giangiacomo Borghese, Governor of Rome 7 January 19228 children 20 December 1984Rome, Italyaged 88 Alessandro Romano 14th Prince of Leonforte1984–1994 9 February 1924Palermo, Kingdom of Italyson of Don Giangiacomo and Sofia, 13th Princess of LeonforteFabrizia Citterio 7 July 19624 children 2 July 1994Rome, Italyaged 70 Fabio 15th Prince of Leonforte1994– 7 June 1965Rome, Italyson of Alessandro Romano 14th Prince of Leonforte and Fabrizia CitterioGiacaranda Caracciolo di Melito Falck22 June 19963 children

References