Albert, prince of Liège when he married, stunned Belgium with his Italian bride. The radiant Paola Ruffo di Calabria helped Belgians get over the death of the beloved Queen Astrid, mother of Boudewijn and Albert. The marriage soon led to the birth of three children in quick succession but seven years later the couple went through a serious crisis. They worked things out and later Paola said decisively, "We were made for each other."

Albert and Paola met each other in 1958. Albert went to Rome for the inauguration of the new Pope John XXIII. The Belgian embassy organised a reception after the ceremony where Albert saw Paola for the first time.

In 1959 Paola was introduced to the Belgian population. Paola landed at the airport in Zaventem and was met by the prince of Liège, together with his father, King Leopold. The press was also present. "The charm and beauty of the blond princess from the south quickly captured the hearts of the Belgians," wrote the newspapers then.

On 2 July 1959 the happy couple got married, in Brussels, not in Rome as first planned. Prince Albert went to Rome to plead the couple's case for a Rome wedding, but under pressure from the Belgian government the Pope refused. The wedding took place in Brussels.

The wedding attracted much public interest. Masses of people went to the St Goedele Cathedral of Brussels and the ceremony was televised. 

Separated for five years

"Paola was very young and I'm sure she was happy with Albert, but it was very difficult for her to leave Italy," says Elettra Marconi, one of Paola's oldest friends.

The marriage was sealed very soon with three children in quick succession: Prince Filip was born in April 1960. Princess Astrid followed in 1962 and Prince Laurent in 1963. During that period Albert was appointed honorary chairman of the board of directors of the Belgian Department of Foreign Trade.

The prince and princess were abroad very often. The children stayed at home and according to reports, they soon felt alienated from their parents.

The prince began to travel more and more alone in the 1960s. Rumours started making the rounds on the grapevine that there were extramarital affairs going on -- on both sides. The couple started living separately and divorce papers were even drawn up.

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