Prince Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy prepares blockchain system

Prince Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy is preparing a blockchain-based system to custody and organize aristocratic titles, abc.es reported. As descendants of Europe’s former royal and noble families adjust to a changing economy, they are leveraging modern technology, digital platforms, and social media to sustain their lifestyles and preserve historical legacies.

Prince Emanuele Filiberto and Blockchain Aristocracy

Prince Emanuele Filiberto, the heir to the last King of Italy, has built a varied career in television and business. Speaking with abc.es, he detailed his latest venture combining noble history with modern cryptography.

He is designing a system that uses blockchain technology to group information and transactions with timestamps, creating secure chains through joint protocols. While private associations publish noble books for a fee, the prince stated he cannot grant new titles, but aims to manage them instead.

As the heir of the last King of Italy, I cannot grant those kinds of titles, but I can safeguard them, organizing them in an official but digital yearbook on the blockchain.

Prince Emanuele Filiberto to abc.es

Lady Violet Manners and HeritageXplore

In the United Kingdom, Lady Violet Manners has turned her attention to the upkeep of historic estates. The daughter of the Dukes of Rutland, who married Viscount Garnock in 2025, launched an application and a podcast called HeritageXplore in London in 2023.

Growing up at Belvoir Castle, Manners designed the platform to help owners of grand country houses maintain, care for, and showcase their properties. The service functions as a digital version of the National Trust, offering members updates, priority bookings, and special pricing for visiting independent historic homes.

Too many of these places have remained invisible, inaccessible, and undervalued.

Lady Violet Manners

Julie Montagu and the Mapperton Estate

Julie Montagu, known as the American Countess, has taken a different approach by utilizing social media and public engagement. After marrying Luke Montagu, Viscount Hinchingbrooke and current Earl of Sandwich, in 2005, the former yoga teacher assumed management of the Mapperton Estate.

Maintaining the property costs more than 250,000 euros annually, according to an interview she gave to The Times. By documenting the challenges of estate upkeep and hosting period-themed events on the grounds, she has gathered over 200,000 followers to support the family property.

Sheika Maytha and Mind Friend

Outside of aristocratic estate management, members of ruling families are also entering the technology and health sectors. Sheika Maytha, an Emirati royal based in London belonging to the Al Maktoub dynasty of Dubai, worked in a psychiatric center after studying psychology at the University of East London and completing master’s degrees at the Universities of Huddersfield and Roehampton.

She recently launched a startup app named Mind friend to connect users with licensed and qualified mental health professionals. In an interview with Tatler, she noted the necessity for a secure platform to access reliable mental health support and educational content.

I felt that a more accessible and secure way to access information and professional support needed to be created.

Sheika Maytha to Tatler