Forte dei Marmi honors WWI flying ace Fulco Ruffo di Calabria

International royalty and prominent figures gathered in Forte dei Marmi to commemorate Fulco Ruffo di Calabria, a decorated Italian World War I fighter ace and recipient of the Gold Medal for Military Valor. The event marked the 80th anniversary of his death.

The ceremony included the dedication of the park behind Villa Bertelli in his honor. Notable attendees included Princess Astrid of Belgium, the granddaughter of the aviator, alongside members of the House of Savoy, the Romanov family, and the House of Orléans-Borbon.

Ruffo di Calabria was a prominent figure in the Italian military aviation, serving in the famous 91st Fighter Squadron. He achieved twenty recognized aerial victories during the Great War and later commanded the squadron. The event combined official military honors, such as the laying of a wreath and a moment of silence, with a social gathering of European aristocratic families.