Another European Head of State during the World War Era - I really don't understand if megalomania is an individual trait or a collective one. Now, look at Victor Emmanuel of Italy. The 5' 0'' king is seen with Albert of Belgium here.

He commanded loyalty and how did he use it? Even when army confirmed it is capable of trashing Mussolini and his men, he takes the word of the one person whose word he shouldn't take(the one who dragged Italy into First World War) and appoints Mussolini overruling the government.

So, what was his rationale? He wants a stable government, he wants a Prime Minister who kowtows before him and Mussolini understood that - and did exactly the same. He knew keeping the old bore in good humour is his path to success. But, how does he think of the king?

His addiction for Mussolini's pampering was the single reason Italy had to suffer Mussolini.

All Mussolini had to do was to use words like Spazio vitale(Lebensraum) and show some grandiose maps. After all, Italy had a great history a few millenia ago and when the greats of Europe refused to treat even Wilhelm as their equal, what is Victor Emmanuel?

Come on. After he crowned himself King of Albania and Ethiopia much to the chagrin of the world, are we really saying it was Victor Emmanuel who was pressing Mussolini?

Unless...he was either dissuaded by his royal cousins or he really knew the status of Italian Army how much so ever he had to swallow his pride.

Or is it that 18 year old Vasil Laçi?

The king knew Italy was unprepared. But, he still jumped into the war. Why? He knew that the German victory can be projected as his own. In fact, Italian Invasion of France in Second World War was a disaster - and the first of a chain of disasters.

As early as 1941, he understood. But, he won't touch Mussolini. He knew he is stuck. Mussolini made him the Fascist King and the anti-fascist lobby is anti-monarchy as well. And who can forget what happened to the mighty Czar Nicholas?

The lust for power and delusions of grandeur - and another lost opportunity. All he had to do was to nod his head in a different direction.

This is hilarious. He hated the American government for being accountable to people, the British because they didn't treat him an equal and the Russians for killing the Czar. At least, the Pope decided to step in his support.

After leading his country from disaster to disaster, the king became a personal target finally.

And the king decided to act. Was it because of public anger towards him or a fear of an invasion or a coup against him, we don't know but he decided to act.

Again, power and megalomania. He acts, but his desperation to cling on to the delusions Mussolini showed him meant that Italy itself will be invaded.

The fatal mistake!! When Rome is bombed and when Germans are slowly taking control of the country, of the two rulers of Italy, one flees the city and the other mingles with the people.

But...but...I am still the king.

And...the Italian Empire ends. Had he accepted the cabinet's decision not to appoint Mussolini? Had he not sacked when fascist mobs were running amok? Had he not declared war, had he not procrastinated at Lisbon, had he...

And the sad little monarch marches away. By the way. We know that Farouk asked the Nizam of Hyderabad to give half of what he is bringing with him for asylum. Do we know how much did the Egyptian king demand from Victor Emmanuel?