# Queen Paola of Belgium > queen consort of the Belgians **Wikidata**: [Q31129](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q31129) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Paola_of_Belgium) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/queen-paola-of-belgium ## Summary Queen Paola of Belgium is the former queen consort of the Belgians, serving as the spouse of King Albert II from 1993 to 2013. Born Paola Margherita Giuseppina Maria Antonia Consiglia Ruffo di Calabria on September 11, 1937, she is an Italian aristocrat who married the Belgian monarch and became the first lady of Belgium for two decades. Her royal tenure was marked by diplomatic engagements, charitable work, and representing Belgium on the international stage alongside her husband. ## Biography - **Born**: September 11, 1937 (full name: Paola Margherita Giuseppina Maria Antonia Consiglia Ruffo di Calabria) - **Nationality**: Italian by birth, Belgian by marriage - **Education**: Noble family education typical of Italian aristocracy - **Known for**: Serving as Queen Consort of Belgium (1993-2013), representing the Belgian monarchy internationally - **Employer(s)**: The Belgian Royal Family, The Belgian Monarchy - **Field(s)**: Royalty, Diplomacy, Philanthropy ## Contributions Queen Paola's contributions primarily centered on her role as queen consort, which involved: - **Royal Representation**: Representing the Belgian monarchy at state visits, diplomatic events, and international ceremonies alongside King Albert II from 1993 to 2013 - **Diplomatic Engagement**: Participating in diplomatic missions to strengthen Belgium's international relations, including visits with the President and Prime Minister of India - **Charitable Patronage**: Supporting various Belgian charitable organizations and causes as part of her royal duties - **Cultural Ambassadorship**: Promoting Belgian culture and heritage both domestically and internationally ## FAQs **What is Queen Paola of Belgium's full name and background?** Queen Paola was born Paola Margherita Giuseppina Maria Antonia Consiglia Ruffo di Calabria on September 11, 1937. She comes from the Italian noble Ruffo di Calabria family, which is a prominent aristocratic lineage. **How long did Queen Paola serve as queen consort?** Queen Paola served as queen consort of the Belgians for twenty years, from 1993 to 2013, during the reign of her husband King Albert II. **What royal honors has Queen Paola received?** Queen Paola has received numerous royal honors including the Order of the White Eagle (Poland), Order of the White Rose of Finland, Order of the Three Stars (Latvia), Order of the Star of Romania, Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, Knight of the Order of the Elephant (Denmark), and the Royal Order of the Seraphim (Sweden). **What is Queen Paola's connection to Italy and Belgium?** She was born in Italy and holds Italian citizenship, while also acquiring Belgian citizenship through her marriage to King Albert II. Her Italian noble background (Ruffo di Calabria family) was significant in her elevation to the Belgian throne. ## Why They Matter Queen Paola's significance lies in her role as a unifying figure for Belgium during a critical period of the monarchy's modern history. As the first Italian-born queen consort in Belgian history, she represented the increasingly international character of European royalty and strengthened diplomatic ties between Belgium and Italy. Her twenty-year tenure as queen consort helped maintain the popularity and relevance of the Belgian monarchy through various political challenges. The royal couple's visits abroad, including to nations like India, helped maintain Belgium's diplomatic presence and cultural diplomacy efforts. Her charitable work and public engagements provided continuity and stability to the monarchy during transitions in Belgian political life. ## Notable For - First Italian-born Queen Consort of Belgium - Served as Queen Consort from 1993 to 2013 (20 years) - Recipient of the Order of the White Eagle (Poland's highest civilian honor) - Recipient of the Royal Order of the Seraphim (Sweden) - Knight of the Order of the Elephant (Denmark) - Full name contains five given names and two family names (Ruffo di Calabria) - Alliance Coat of Arms with King Albert II existed from 1993-2019 ## Body ### Early Life and Background Queen Paola was born on September 11, 1937, with the full name Paola Margherita Giuseppina Maria Antonia Consiglia Ruffo di Calabria. She belongs to the noble Ruffo di Calabria family, an aristocratic house from Italy with historical significance. Her Italian heritage played a crucial role in her identity as she later became part of the Belgian royal family. ### Marriage and Ascension to the Throne Queen Paola married Albert II of Belgium, who later became King of the Belgians. When Albert II ascended to the throne in 1993 following the death of his father, King Baudouin, Paola became Queen Consort of Belgium. This made her the first woman of Italian origin to hold the position of queen consort in Belgian history. ### Role as Queen Consort As queen consort, Queen Paola undertook numerous official duties representing the Belgian monarchy. She accompanied King Albert II on state visits and diplomatic missions, including a notable visit to India where she met with the President and Prime Minister of India alongside the King. Her role involved attending international ceremonies, hosting foreign dignitaries, and promoting Belgian interests abroad. The Alliance Coat of Arms of King Albert II and Queen Paola was established in 1993 and remained in use until 2019, symbolizing her position as the consort to the Belgian head of state. ### Royal Honors and Decorations Queen Paola has been awarded numerous prestigious honors from various European nations: - **Order of the White Eagle** (Poland): The highest Polish decoration of merit, established in 1705 - **Order of the White Rose of Finland**: Finnish honorary chivalry order established in 1919 - **Order of the Three Stars**: Latvia's honorary order established in 1924 - **Order of the Star of Romania**: Romania's highest order, established in 1864 - **Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic**: Italy's highest civilian honor - **Knight of the Order of the Elephant**: Denmark's highest order, the only grade of this prestigious decoration - **Royal Order of the Seraphim**: Sweden's order of chivalry established in 1748 These honors reflect her status within European royal circles and the diplomatic relationships between Belgium and other nations. ### Citizenship and National Identity Queen Paola holds dual citizenship in Italy (her birth country) and Belgium (her country by marriage). This dual nationality is significant as it represents the international nature of European royalty and the connections between noble families across national boundaries. ### Post-Abdication Role Following King Albert II's abdication in 2013, their son Philippe ascended to the throne. Queen Paola transitioned from her role as queen consort to the position of queen mother, though she has largely retired from official royal duties. The royal couple's alliance coat of arms remained in official use until 2019, when it was retired following changes in the monarchy's representation. ### Cultural and Historical Significance Queen Paola represents an important chapter in the modern history of the Belgian monarchy. Her Italian background brought new cultural influences to the Belgian court and strengthened ties between Belgium and Italy. Her tenure coincided with significant political changes in Belgium, including the country's evolution into a federal state with three regions (Flemish Region, Walloon Region, and Brussels-Capital Region). As a public figure, she contributed to maintaining the monarchy's popularity and relevance during a period of significant constitutional development in Belgium. ## References 1. The Peerage 2. Modtagere af danske dekorationer 3. [Source](http://www.ordens.presidencia.pt/?idc=154) 4. [Source](https://www.kongehuset.no/tildelinger.html?tid=28028&sek=27995&q=dronning&type=27117&aarstall=) 5. Genealogics 6. Munzinger Personen 7. Sejm-Wielki.pl 8. [Source](http://data.advn.be/id)