I just saw the documentary on queen Paola on la une (RTBF) and it was really a very nice one, it showed her really as she is and she talked a lot
: Italian, French and Dutch. Her Dutch is hesitant but not bad, and actually her French and Italian are hestitant too. I don't mean that she doesn't master those languages, but she sort of thinks while she's talking, hesitates about the things she says.
Many, many topics were evoqued. Her youth in war time, how she still remembers her 18 year old brother leaving to join the allied forces, he went to war with a real ideal but died soon afterwards. She said how sad it was, he was so young and handsome.
About her arrival in Belgium: she was invited by the Belgian embassy for the inauguration of pope John XXIII, and prince Albert was there too. She knew nothing about Belgium, only Tintin, she had the whole collection
She had vaguely heard about king Baudouin, but never about her future husband. They liked each other from te start but were both very shy. When she was engaged and arrived in Belgium she was overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of the Belgians and talking about the joyeuses entrées she was still moved.
Her first years in Belgium were lonely. She immediately sensed the two different cultures: germanic and latin, and had to start learning two new languages which was very difficult for her. She said that those first years she really missed queen Astrid (Albert's mother who died in 1935), to comfort her and help her on her way. It's Albert who made her get used to the cold and wet Belgian climate by walks in the Ardennes, in a warm coat
, and it also triggered her love for nature and gardening.
At the start of her marriage Paola & Albert were constantly chased by paparazzi which didn't really help things.
She said her marriage had known problems but now Albert and she are very happy and often say to each other that they're really made for each other.
There was also some talk about the joys of being a grandparent. As a young parent you're responsable, you're like an actor in a play. But as a grandparent there's more tenderness and you're the spectator in the play. I didn't really hear that part very well (I was on the phone
), but I believe she said that her grandchildren call her "noni" (?)
She talked about art with Flemish art guru Jan Hoet and a Flemish video artist at the biennale in Venice. She said she grew up surrounded by art and the Italian Renaissance in Rome, without really realizing it. When she got to Belgium and discovered the Flemish masters a new world opened for her: emotions, the tenderness of Maria for her child etc.
She said she felt very Belgian. Her heart lies in Belgium and it her children's country. She feels that Belgians are discreet, they don't vant their qualities even though they have many, and they're a people that likes to celebrate.
There were many other things...Maybe someone else can fill in on the parts I left out?
