Translation of an article / interview I dug up about their mission to Poland...
Thank you Mathilde ! Thank you Poland !
Elisabeth is already used to it, but now Gabriel also knows what it's like to miss his mum for a week. Mathilde's motherheart was bleeding, but still she woudn't have wanted to miss this trip to Poland. Not for anything in the world ! Story travelled with them and saw it all went fine ...
"Mathilde, when I came to Poland in 1998, you had already conquered a place in my heart. Since our marriage 4 years ago you've been a great support for me day after day and my source of happiness. You're my honest, sincere and faithful buddy and a great mother for our two children. Thank you Mathilde ! Thank you Poland !"
In the big galahall the 450 guests stand up to give an overwhelming applause. Mathilde glows and is visibly touched. Filip never made a secret of his admiration for his wife, but never before did he praise her so clearly and publicly.
It's clear : Filip feels better when Mathilde's around. It was visible in Poland, the country of Mathilde's ancestors, where the prince presides a trade mission - together with minister Fientje Moerman.
Of course Belgium has been the home country of the princess and her mother, Polish countess Anne Komorowska, for a very long time, but Poland is still present in their blood and their heart.
"Most of the family moved to Belgium" Mathilde told us "I've come back here three times and I've seen huge changes the last years. Through the centuries, Poland has suffered immensely and when I visited Auschwitz I could still clearly feel the horrors of the war. Constantly new borders were imposed on this country, new rulers and new neighbours. But despite it all the Polish have survived. It are strong, friendly and hospitable people, who never complain. I think that's their big strength".
Mathilde continues : "I'm proud of my background and I'm sorry and ashamed I don't speak the language. I woudn't have missed this travel. Only a pity we won't be visiting Krakow, the city in the South where my family comes from. It's the most beautiful spot in Poland. But Filip and I will certainly be returning here, to show the country to our children. After all they're 1/4 Polish."
But this time Mathilde had to leave her kids behind for a week. For little Gabriel it was the first time he had to miss his mother. "He's doing fine", says mama Mathilde. "He's an easy little fellow. And he gets along very well with his sister. Not a hint of jealousy".
Although the Russians drove the last Polish king, Stanislaw I, out of the country in 1831, especially the capital Warshaw has a royal atmosphere. Filip and Mathilde were staying at the Royal Meridian Hotel, which is located on the Royal Route. This route is swarming with palaces and aristocratic residences. There also are the gothic St-John's cathedral and the church of the holy cross where the heart of Chopin is burried. The beautifully restaured royal palace is one of the main tourist attractions of the city. Compared to that, the Spieha palace in one of the sidestreets looks a bit fragile and sad. Still this used to be one of the prettiest palaces. It was a mundaine and idyllic spot, the proud possesion of Mathilde's ancestors. Count Sapieha was a very respected man, but also a Don Juan, who secredly had an affair with the wife of one of the last kings of Poland.
When she visits the school for children with hearing problems, that's nowadays located in the palace, Mathilde can't help but think about her family history.
As usual during these economic missions Mathilde deals with the sociocultural activities. In the impressive Culture Palace she enjoys a performance of Gaweda, the most famous youth group of Poland who travel around the world with their songs and dances, like a local kind of Up with People. In the picturesque townhall of Poznan she meets social workers and visits the museum of music instruments.
"I adore music" the princess says, "and I play the piano myself".
In Warshaw Mathilde visits a kintergarden for children with problems concentrating. On all these visits she's accomanied by the Polish first lady, Jolanta Kwasniewska, who's incredibly popular, and is called "the Hillary Clinton of Poland". If she were to participate in the elections she'd get 53 % of the votes, so the president is living with his biggest rival!