I don't follow the BElgian Royals all that much but have just been reading all about how her (younger)brother and father have complained how they have not enough money so in the case of Laurent won't carry out as many duties (or in the case of Princess Claire - any at all).
Has Princess Astrid said anything similar or is she happy to carry on working as hard? If she hasn't I wonder why she copes fine with the financial arrangements but Laurent and her father don't and see the need to complain so much about it.
Certainly she seems to have taken on quite a lot since her older brother became King.
Oh I didn't realise Lorenz worked, what does he do? I guess if he earns enough then Astrid doesn't need the money to support her family so its all extra money to support her duties rather than herself. Could Claire not work so as to support Laurent?
For what it is worth: several Belgian newspapers claim that in the difficult relationships between the members of the royal family also Princess Astrid of Belgium, Archduchess of Austria-Este plays a role.
Earlier this month it became known that Princess Astrid can only make use of the royal household services when she has engagements on behalf of the King. This means that a car with chauffeur, security, a secretary and other logistic services are no longer at the service of the Princess unless she is requested by the King to represent him. From the entourage of Princess Astrid is heard that she has to give acte de présence everywhere but with considerably less (financial and logistic) support.
Above this, the King would have enforced advisers from his own entourage to his sister. Apparently Princess Astrid experiences this as having no say in matters and feels surrounded by 'strangers'. The newspapers claim that Princess Astrid feels "not valued" by her brother. (Interesting that this is the same complaint as her brother Prince Laurent, who claims never have been valued by his father King Albert II).
These complaints sound a bit "poor me" in comparison with other children of a Sovereign in neighbouring countries who advance in studies or pursue an own career.
For what it is worth: several Belgian newspapers claim that in the difficult relationships between the members of the royal family also Princess Astrid of Belgium, Archduchess of Austria-Este plays a role.
Earlier this month it became known that Princess Astrid can only make use of the royal household services when she has engagements on behalf of the King. This means that a car with chauffeur, security, a secretary and other logistic services are no longer at the service of the Princess unless she is requested by the King to represent him. From the entourage of Princess Astrid is heard that she has to give acte de présence everywhere but with considerably less (financial and logistic) support.
Above this, the King would have enforced advisers from his own entourage to his sister. Apparently Princess Astrid experiences this as having no say in matters and feels surrounded by 'strangers'. The newspapers claim that Princess Astrid feels "not valued" by her brother. (Interesting that this is the same complaint as her brother Prince Laurent, who claims never have been valued by his father King Albert II).
These complaints sound a bit "poor me" in comparison with other children of a Sovereign in neighbouring countries who advance in studies or pursue an own career.