The former head of state and his wife are marking the 65th anniversary of their sometimes troubled marriage in the garden of their Villa Le Romarin in Châteauneuf-Grasse in the South of France.
The palace has posted a picture of King Albert (90) and Queen Paola (86) sitting on a bench in their garden on social media for the occasion.
The photo was taken in the garden of the villa, overlooking the bay of Cannes. Last weekend, Albert and Paola also threw a party for their family.
Unlike in 2019, no family photo will be released this time. "It is a private affair," the palace responded.
They first met by a painting
Old King Albert met Queen Paola first met in Rome at a reception given by the Belgian ambassador. That ambassador was a collector of Flemish Primitives, a type of medieval art, and had a work by Dirk Bouts on his wall. While explaining the painting, the then Prince Albert said he saw "a beautiful apparition" turn up. It was his future wife, Queen Paola.
Paola herself was not too impressed that evening, she later confided in an interview with Belgian independent TV (VTM and RTL). Above all, she wanted to have an early night. However, protocol required guests to stay until the prince left. But Prince Albert kept hanging around.
Once back in Belgium, Albert sent Paola a postcard and dates followed. "She was very much to my liking," the king later summed up his feelings at that time. One day, he takes his chance, totally unsure of himself. He literally fears a slap in the face.
"I rented a little Italian car. A sky-blue Alfa Romeo. Paola got behind the wheel. I sat next to her and started explaining that I liked her. And if she agreed, maybe we could go a bit further. She had her 2 hands on the wheel, so she had no choice but to drive on," King jokes.
Paola does not say yes, and does not say no. She only asks for time to get to know each other. This is what happens. The couple hit it off and that then results in marriage.