Belgian ex-King confesses on TV – The País.com (Spain)

Just one year after leaving the throne, Albert II has decided to come clean before the Belgian. The father of King Felipe has shaken the country’s political scene by giving a long interview-more than two hours to a private television to explain unknown aspects of his reign. The news confounded his own son, he learned about the same time as the rest of the Belgians. The unusual initiative who reigned for 20 years with the scepter of prudence threatens to crack the already tense relations between Albert II, who abdicated in July 2013 but retains the title, and Philippe of Belgium, the current head of state.

This exercise of sincerity, the RTL network will air in two parts, on Monday and Tuesday of next week, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Alberto, aims to restore its image badly damaged in recent months. “His popularity has fallen as much issues receiving the funding and some rumors that have circulated. Somehow, it is an act of contrition and a willingness to assert its authority, it is no longer the head of state, but the father of the king, “explains Thomas Bergeyck, program host on the kingship of the RTL.

The Belgian press has considered reckless gesture Albert II, largely because of the time it occurs. King Philip faces the delicate task since it took office: drive the formation of the federal government. In the elections four years ago, his father took him over a year and a half to achieve a stable coalition. Fear grips a similar scenario in the country.

Although RTL journalist in the interview reveals that Alberto “keep a silence about his son, without commenting on their work,” the gestation of this

project King backs increases the rumors about his bad relationship. In April, Queen Paola, wife of Albert II, sent against the criterion of the King’s House, a statement to the press about the hospitalization of his son Laurent. Irritated, Philippe of Belgium requested the removal of the right hand of his father, in charge of sending the letter, but has kept Albert II at the Palace, although other functions.

Beyond the signs of weakness the interview sheds on the Belgian monarchy, the document remains expectant population. The former king will evoke personal moments as the first meeting with Paola. “I said I’d love to see her again, I like her,” says the king to his interviewer, Pascal Vrebos, the report has disclosed the television. The director of the program on the monarchy confirms that there were questions about the long relationship that the king had with the Sybille Sélys aristocrat. The result of that relationship had a daughter, now demands recognition of his father in court. For this open trial, “Alberto II keep silent about the case,” he adds De Bergeyck. Paola was present at almost every moment of the interview, the first by a Belgian-retired or year-on experience on the throne monarch.

The exmonarca itself dares committed other episodes of his life. For example, attempts to divorce that was between him and Paola. Also fail to praise his public figure: “Without Paola would never have agreed to be king.” Alberto took over the death of his brother, King Baudouin, who happened because Baudouin and Fabiola had no children. “Baldwin supported me even when disapproved certain times in my personal life,” says Albert II on camera. On the outset, jokes. “My first speech was a catastrophe,”

Although the former head of the Belgian State has overseen the publication of the interview, the reporter in charge of making sure that nothing has barely touched. “We have not recorded anything new and only have two or three nondescript deleted things,” he told the Belgian media Vrebos Pascal.