Society 361 / 2012

Life & Style
Interview
Otto von Habsburg’s heart was buried in
Hungary separately, is this family tradition?
Prince Paul: It is a family tradition that had
fallen into abeyance for a few generations. In
the Kapuzinergruft a plethora of archdukes and
archduchesses have their hearts buried separately
from their bodies. Likewise, the heart of Archduke
Otto’s father, Emperor and King Karl I/IV and the
one of Empress and Queen Zita rest together in Loreto
Chapel at Muri Abbey, Switzerland; whereas
their bodies are buried in Madeira for Kaiser Karl
and in Vienna for Empress Zita respectively.
The human remains of Archduke Otto and
those of his late wife Regina are now buried together
in the Kapuzinergruft in Vienna, whereas
his heart is buried in Hungary as he was always
so attached to Hungary. Otto‘s heart rests in the
monastery of his Magyar teachers, and was one of
the first places he visited back in 1989 when he
was able to return to Hungary briefly.
Do you think it is a sign that some of the
highest politicians of Austria were attending
the funeral?
Prince Paul: I think this was very good. It was
important because it was their last chance to show
that they admire what Otto did, he certainly was
not trying to become “Emperor of Austria”. He was
really trying to unite Europe and this is what he
wanted to be known for, as a Christian and a Pan-
European.
Princess Lia: I think it was a compliment to
Otto but also to Austria; a powerful symbol of reconciliation
indeed.
As a prince, are you involved in politics?
Prince Paul: No, we don’t do politics. I decided
that it is better to be above politics. One cannot be
with one political party because then one “has”
to be against the others. In Romania it is like this:
either you are with us or you are against us. You
have to be very careful with this mentality. Thus,
we are basically above politics, and we try to represent
the country and help to improve the image
of Romania abroad.
How would you describe the people’s feelings
about the monarchy and the impact of
Romania’s past on today’s situation within
the country?
Prince Paul: When historians talk about Romania
and the best economical and cultural period
it has had they say that it was the 1937/38
period when my grandfather Carol II was king.
The communist historians talk about him as a dictator
but he was not a dictator. There were Hitler
and Stalin trying to take over and if we did not
have a strong government, the King and the country
would have just been wiped out. They all agree
that the best period thus far was 1937/38, but on
the other hand they have the mentality to refer to
King Carol II as a royal dictator. We have this big
argument with historians all the time.
»Otto von Habsburg
was one of
the first aristocrats
to push
the idea of a
united Europe.
«
Prince Paul
»Learning is
very important
for Romania’s
healing process
from the communist
trauma.
«
Princess Lia
Princess Lia: We have a new generation of
leadership of the republic. Those that are with
the President and the Cabinet are respecting Romania’s
history and do not longer have connections
with the defunct Communist Party. They are
learning from the mistakes that have been made.
Learning is very important for Romania’s healing
process from the communist trauma.
Do you live in Romania?
Prince Paul: Yes, permanently. It’s our home.
We are both hold double citizenships. I have a
British and a Romanian passport. As a legitimate,
non-Catholic descendant of the Electress Sophia
of Hannover, I was entitled to British citizenship,
so when I went to the UK at the age of 13 I was
given a passport there.
We also enjoy visiting Austria, we have a lot
of relatives here; we are particularly close to my
aunts Archduchess Maria Magdalena and Archduchess
Elisabeth who live in Salzburg. Both are
scions of the Tuscan branch of the Habsburg dynasty,
and daughters of my great-aunt, Princess
lleana of Romania with her husband, Archduke
Anton of Austria-Tuscany.
Princess Lia: I was born in the United States,
but all of my blood is Romanian Orthodox. My
parents both were born in Romania but they left
before the war for very good reasons.
Prince Paul: My wife was also the first Romanian-American
to work in the White House under
President Carter, so she is very close to the Democrats.
We, as the only guests from Europe, represented
Romania at the inauguration of President
Obama.
We recently reconnected to President Carter
in December 2011 in China. I was appointed Ambassador
of Friendship for the People‘s Republic
of China in Beijing. President Carter and his wife
saw us on television, and invited us subsequently
for a get-together at their hotel before we departed
the Chinese capital.
You have a two year old son named Prince
Carol Ferdinand whose godfather is the Romanian
president?
Princess Paul: Exactly, he is amazing.
Prince Paul: We also call him Little Prince. His
godfather is Romania’s current President Traian
Basescu. His godmother is the First Lady Maria
Basescu. To mark one year of his christening, the
First Lady honored us with her attendance to the
party we held for Prince Carol Ferdinand. There
we donated IT equipment and televisions to a couple
of schools. The year after the baptism is a big
event in our religion. So what we decided to do
was instead of having people, particularly ambassadors
and other wonderful friends, present gifts
to our son, we combined it with Children’s Day.
The tradition that we started should give a focus
on Children’s Day every year from now on. You
cannot teach a child generosity, one has to set the
example.
•
Society 1_2012 | 123