I have been watching the VTM documentary. Some titbits from the first half:
- The queen decorated her office herself. The interviewer points to photos of the family. Among them a nice informal portrait of Albert and Paola. The interviewer asked how they were doing. The Queen said that they were doing very well, and that they are enjoying each others company intensely. She adds that she thinks that the photo is beautiful and serene.
- She says how much she enjoys it see her childrens personalities devolop themselves. Young adults now, she laughs. She agrees that she slowly has to let them go now, which is part of life. She thinks it is beautiful to see how all of them are finding their own way in life.
- The interviewer points to a photo of the King and Queen and remarks how she still looks at him in love. She agrees and says that they have been married for 23 eyars. She enjoys working as a team.
- Pointing to a portrait of Philippe and Elisabeth the interviewer remarks that the succession is assured, hinting that Elisabeth is well prepared. The queen adds: 'everything in its own time'. She says that she is proud of all four children.
- About the artwork: on the walls is an aquarel of a pine forest in the snow by the Belgian artist Hans op de Beeck. It reminds HM of her childhood in the Ardennes, of which she has great memories.
- She tells about her volunteering in Caïro, where she helped street children and was teaching the French language. She was 18 y/o at the time and she learned a lot.
- About the engagement: it was an interesting time for her. One day she was anonymous and the next day she was a public figure. She had to learn a lot but she could count on the support of her husband. She and her husband decided that she would continue her study of psychology, which she did next to her work as a speech therapist. She finished in 2002, when Elisabeth was already 1 year old. SHe said it helped her in the transition period, to still have a part of her old life. "It was beautiful to do but also good for my balance".
- In advance it was agreed not to ask private questions about the queen's children. The queen explains that the quietness and the serenity that they can find in their private life has a positive effect on their public lives.
- The interviewer shows a clip of children of the St Jan Berchem college in Brussels. The children sing a birthday song on the schoolyard. The Queen is moved. She recognises it as the primary school where her children went to. She sighs how often she has been there. Her husband usually went every morning and she picked the children up in the afternoon. She adds that she also tried to help teaching children how to read, as 'leesmama', every tuesday afternoon. She enjoyed teaching these children with reading difficulties and to try to show them the pleasure of reading. 'Very nice memories' she adds.
- How to relax: small things, drinking a coffee with friends of family, go hiking, or going to a bookshop. She loves it when she does not have to look at her watch. SHe tells an anecdote about a book shop close to the palace where she was having a coffee (I suppose it can only be Filligranes). She was there with one of her children and bought a few books. A lady came up to her and asked: maybe you can give me an advice about a book on the royal family. She said that it was difficult but that she enjoyed it. Another thing she likes is walking in nature with her dogs and without her telephone. The Queen says that she loves to switch of her computer and her phone, to have the time and peace to stop rushing, to take time for a conversation.
- Hobbies: she sports a lot, she reads a lot, she chats a lot, with family or friends. She adds that friendship is very important to her and to take the time for friends.
