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A photo dated 1938 showing Queen Elena di Savoia, the second Queen of Italy, with King Vittorio Emanuele III. Prince Vittorio Emanuele, grandson of the royal couple, announced late Monday, 26 November 2001 in Geneva, Switzerland - where he lives in exile - that a preliminary inquiry fo the beatification of Queen Elena has been opened. The announcement coincides with the opening in Montpellier, France, of the ceremonies for the 50th anniversary of the death of the "queen of charity", which will run until 24 November 2002. The Queen died in exile on 28 February 1952 in Montpellier, where she is buried in Saint Lazare's cemetery. EPA PHOTO ANSA