by Scott Mehl © Unofficial Royalty 2013
Paola Margherita Maria Antonia Consiglia Ruffo di Calabria was born September 11, 1937, in Forte dei Marmi, Tuscany, Italy, the seventh and youngest child of Prince Fulco Ruffo di Calabria and Countess Luisa Gazelli dei Conti de Rossana e di Sebastiano. She was raised in Rome, where she attended school.
Paola had six older siblings:
- Maria Cristina Ruffo di Calabria (1920–2003), married (1) Casimiro San Martino d´Aglie dei Marchesi di San Germano, had issue; (2) Count Ernesto Rossi di Montelera, had issue
- Laura Ruffo di Calabria (1921–1972), married Bettino, Baron Ricasoli Firidolfi, 31th Baron of Brolio, had issue
- Fabrizio, Prince Ruffo di Calabria-Santapau, 13th Prince of Palazzolo, 14th Prince of Scilla, 7th Duke of Guardia Lombarda, 13th Marquis of Scilla and 18th Count of Sinopoli (1922–2005), married Maria Vaciago, had issue
- Augusto Ruffo di Calabria (1925–1943), unmarried, killed in battle at sea during World War II, unmarried
- Giovannella Ruffo di Calabria (1927–1941), unmarried
- Antonello Ruffo di Calabria (1930–2017), married Rosa Maria Mastrogiovanni Tasca, had issue
In 1958, Paola met her future husband, Albert, Prince of Liège – the future King Albert II – at the installation of Pope John XXIII in Rome. Albert was the second son of the former King Leopold III of the Belgians and the younger brother of King Baudouin of the Belgians. Both Paola and Albert attended a reception at the Belgian Embassy where they were introduced. The following year, their engagement was announced.
After briefly considering holding the wedding at the Vatican, the government stepped in and insisted that they marry in Belgium. The wedding was held on July 2, 1959, at St. Michael and St. Gulda Cathedral in Brussels, Belgium. Upon marriage, Paola became a Princess of Belgium and was styled Princess of Liège.
Paola and Albert had three children:
- Philippe, King of the Belgians (born 1960), married Mathilde d’Udekem d’Acoz, had four children
- Princess Astrid of Belgium (born 1962), married Archduke Lorenz of Austria-Este, had five children
- Prince Laurent of Belgium (born 1963), married Claire Coombs, had three children
On July 31, 1993, Albert’s brother, King Baudouin, passed away suddenly at his holiday home in Portugal. Albert succeeded to the throne, and Paola became Queen of the Belgians. As Queen, Paola worked closely with The Queen’s Charities to promote her involvement in social projects and assisting those in need throughout Belgium. She later established the Queen Paola Foundation which focuses on youth and education, particularly for those in disadvantaged areas. In addition, Queen Paola has been very involved in the areas of art and music.
On July 21, 2013, after nearly 30 years on the throne, King Albert II abdicated in favor of their eldest son, Philippe. The couple continues to reside at Chateau Belvedere, located within the Royal Park at Laeken, Brussels, Belgium. King Albert and Queen Paola have remained largely out of the public eye, preferring to live a more quiet retirement, enjoying time with their children and twelve grandchildren.
This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.
Kingdom of Belgium Resources at Unofficial Royalty