 In the referendum held a month later, 54 per cent of voters favoured a republic, and the Kingdom of Italy was no more.Some historians (such as Sir Charles Petrie) have speculated that the result might have been different if Victor Emmanuel had abdicated in favour of Umberto shortly after the Allied invasion of Sicily in 1943, or at the latest had abdicated outright in 1944 rather than simply transferring his powers to his son.Umberto had been widely praised for his performance as "de facto" head of state beginning in 1944, and his relative popularity might have saved the monarchy.