Yesterday (October 17), Princess Esmeralda presented a book dedicated to her grandparents, called "Albert and Elisabeth". Tonight at eight o'clock, the TV channel RTL dedicated a programme to it.
Princess Esmeralda was born in Laeken, Belgium and is the sixth child of King Leopold III and Lilian, Princess of Réthy. After King Baudouin's marriage to Queen Fabiola in 1960, Princess Esmeralda and the rest of the BRF moved to Argenteuil Castle, which Princess Esmeralda's mother used to host other royals, politicians and friends, as well as leading scientists and researchers. As a young woman, Princess Esmeralda would accompany her father to different parts of the world, before becoming a graduate in journalism and working for French magazines for many years.
Princess Esmeralda married Sir Salvador Moncada in 1998, a renowned scientist who was granted a knighthood by Elizabeth II. The couple have two children, Alexandra and Leopoldo, who were born in 1998 and 2001 respectively.
Since her wedding, Princess Esmeralda has been researching the numerous photo archives belonging to her father, King Leopold.
Source:
Esmeralda de Belgique présente un livre-album sur ses grands-parents e roi Albert I et la reine Elisabeth
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Noblesse & Royautes also interviewed Princess Esmeralda on the occasion of the publication of her book, "Albert and Elisabeth".
I (Interviewer): Madam, how did the idea for this project album of family photos of your grandparents King Albert and Queen Elizabeth?
PE (Princess Esmeralda): On the occasion of the centenary of the First World War, I wanted to present an intimate portrait of staff and my grandparents through family records, private correspondence and unpublished documents.
I: Can you detail the outline of this album? Where do all these photographic archives come from?
PE: Ten chapters trace the important moments of the life of Albert I and Elizabeth both as sovereign but especially in their private and family atmosphere. Christophe Vachaudez who handled the illustrations of the book, found pictures quite unusual in private collections in Belgium and elsewhere in Europe and of course the Royal Archives.
I: You are the initiator of previous works that helped including the general public to discover the facet ignored for too long voyages of exploration of your father King Leopold III. Did you approach the completion of this work another way?
PE: I wanted myself to explore the personality of my grandparents and learn more. I did not know my grandfather and I was only nine years old when my grandmother died. So it was really exciting for me to do this research and write this book.
I: What are your memories of Queen Elizabeth?
PE: I remember an old lady dressed in white, very elegant, which offered me books.
I: In the interview he gave to Pascal Vrebos, His Majesty King Albert II speaks with great fondness the memories of your grandmother Queen Elizabeth. Have you had an opportunity to discuss the book with him?
PE: I spoke to King Albert of the book and also the documentary on our grandparents that will air in November on RTBF, especially in the letters of our grandmother, she always speaks with great affection of "little Albert" as she called him.
Source:
Entretien avec la princesse Esmeralda de Belgique
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Thanks for sharing with us. The Princess actually looks very polite and lovely lady. I did not know that lives in London.
