Chianti wine estate heir killed in London cycle crash

A Florentine prince and heir to an historic Chianti wine estate has become the latest cyclist to be killed on London’s roads following a collision with a heavy goods vehicle in Knightsbridge.

Filippo Corsini was the heir of a noble Florentine family (Photo: Facebook)

Filippo Corsini’s family traces its lineage back to the Middle Ages and counts Pope Clemente XII (1652-1740) among its ancestry. The family owns the Villa le Corti estate between Florence and Siena in Tuscany. Its successful Principe Corsini business produces Chianti Classico wine and extra virgin olive oil.

The 21-year-old prince was hit by the HGV outside the Harvey Nichols department store, close to the One Hyde Park development, at 12.40pm on Monday. Witnesses said that he was dragged 30 yards across a box junction before dying of “catastrophic injuries”.

Corsini was living in London while studying for a BA in international business at Regent’s University, the Evening Standard reported.

He was a keen equestrian and following his death friends wrote on Facebook of his passion for the sport and for his horse, called Claretta Bella.

One wrote: “With your smile, with the laughter you gave us and the great undertakings you accomplished with your beloved Claretta Bella, we will never forget you. Bye, Prince. RIP.”

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Villa Le Corti, the Corsini family’s historical estate in Chianti, is run by Filippo Corsini’s father, Duccio. The estate produces organic Chianti Classico and extra virgin olive oil.

The Corsini family, whose ancestors rose to wealth as wool merchants in the 13th century, regularly served as priors and ambassadors of Florence, also a rents a number of properties in Tuscany as holiday homes.

The Corsini family’s Villa le Corti estate in Chianti (Photo: Principe Corsini)

The 16th-century Villa Le Corti estate extends over 250 hectares, 49 of which are vineyards planted with Sangiovese to produce Chianti Classico and IGT Principe Corsini.

A further 73ha of the estate are planted with olive trees to produce Chianti Classico DOP extra virgin olive oil.

Filippo Corsini is reported to be the eighth cyclist to have died on London’s roads this year, following the death of a 32-year-old Italian woman, Lucia Ciccioli, in Battersea on 24 October.

More than 100 cyclists staged a “die in” protest at the Battersea junction where Ms Ciccioli was killed.

Campaigners continue to urge London mayor Sadiq Khan to ban dangerous lorries from London’s streets.