Prince Paul and Princess Lia of Romania
“Romanian women must believe in their power and in the values which still exists!”
When you say “the life of a Prince and a Princess” you are thinking immediately about a fairytale, to a story full of miracles and dreams which are fulfilled just by thinking about them, without any effort, without any work. But this is not the case when it is about a Prince and a Princess who are dedicating their lives to their country. Prince Paul and Princess Lia of Romania live in Bucharest, in a remarkable house, near the park and they want to stay in Romania forever. Their story it’s the same like many persons, still it has elements which looks like the stories which we heard in our childhood: “they met each other, they loved each other and lived together till old age!”
“I met my husband through his cousin, Princess Katrina of Yugoslavia, at an event organized by UNICEF for the war ravaged children of Yugoslavia. I saw him at TV being interviewed on international political issues, I had earlier met his father, HRH Prince Carol Mircea (who lived for many years in London), “May God rest his soul in peace!” We married in 1995 at Monastery Casin and we made Bucharest our home. We have dedicated ourselves to The Prince Paul Foundation for Romania which has now recorded, with documentation, nearly 6 million Euros worth of donations to hospitals, universities/schools and civic groups throughout the country. On my part, it was not love at first sight but respect at first sight. He was very much respected in England for his business acumen, diplomatic skills and also as the first Royal to return to Eastern Europe after the Communist declination. My husband knew I was Romanian and he wanted us to reside here. My original plan after finishing my postgraduate studies at Oxford University was to accept the position as a consultant for the Japanese Parliament. “However, I chose to marry and settle in Romania, the land of my ancestors”. The people know how Prince Paul had been a successful businessman in London until the revolution, but concerning Princess Lia there are not so many things known, especially about her life before moving in Romania. She immediately gives us details: “: I was born in America from Romanian Orthodox parents. My mother had her own radio program for the diaspora in Canada and America. I had worked in the White House during the Carter Administration, I became an international trade negotiator. I lobbied for the first 2 million dollars for Aids research monies from the government. As the chairperson of the national tour of Archbishop Tutu, I was proud to have raised $ 2 1/2 million with Republican and Democratic Senators alike plus Richard Gere and Marlon Brando for the anti apartheid campaign. Michael Jackson gave his house at our disposal for the farewell event”. These are only a few of the activities which she made in USA, also being active in the same way together with her husband in Romania, as part of the foundation which bears his name.
“We have lived in Bucharest since the first day of our marriage. My husband, Prince Paul, had set up his residence here during the last days of the revolution. From the first moment a came in Romania, I felt at home. Here is the country where my grandparents and my parents were born and also the father of my husband, Prince Carol Mircea. Here are our roots. When I was a Human Rights Commissioner, my family in California became good friends with the distinguished writer, Alex Haley, the author of the impactful “Roots”. Through his insight, I find it is my duty to continually to try to awaken the pride here, especially within the women’s community. Therefore, maybe I should say to you female readers: to be proud you are Romanian, to believe in our strength and in the significant values which still exist!”
“I enjoy the challenge here”
If somebody makes illusions that the life of the Prince and Princess is supposedly to relax and attend high society events, it is a mistake. Prince Paul is saying that to be royal means to put your energy and contacts in the service of charity and to help for a better life for the community which you represent. And this work is a spiritual gold bracelet, eventually with diamonds, the greatest satisfaction is dedication to duty for a person with a royal title: “I have always worked. I have been a businessman and I still have businesses outside Romania. I did not choose the life of a fairy tale prince, simply going to parties and frivolous events. I worked, I traveled a great deal. Being in Romania for 16 years, I engaged myself in many activities for my fellow countrymen through The Prince Paul Foundation for Romania”. The nearly 6 million Euros of donations have been distributed for medical equipment such as a Dopper Echocardiogram and a Kryostat machine, the total renovation of universities, schools, senior centers, churches, etc. to the national launch of the breast cancer awareness campaign. We brought personalities in Romania to assist in making a more positive image for our country. Guests like the President of one of the largest companies in the world, AT& T; Governor of Alsace, Adrian Zeller; Sarah, Duchess of York; Naomi Campbell, numerous dignitaries in international business and diplomacy; Larry Hagman, J.R. of “Dallas”, all helped focus extensive positive press in the areas of investment, tourism and industrial development. We always enjoy mixing business with pleasure in England, France, Germany and Italy because we have good contacts at all levels. Our goal is to help Romania with a better image and we finance all these expenditures ourselves. It is not only our duty but our deep pleasure to undertake these campaigns self sufficiently and not use them as a financial burden for the taxpayers. We have a loyal and profession staff which frequently works with the Foundation staff, especially when we have huge shipments of charitable supplies from America and Europe. I prepare every weekend my husband’s breakfast. And I make a very good “mamaliga”. I learned from my mother. In our home, in Michigan there was always Romanian food – sarmale, sausages, traditional soups, cheese pies. I know how to cook Romanian dishes from my grandmother.
Reflections, after 11 years of marriage
Her: “Prince Paul is still that wonderful person whom I met at the UNICEF Gala. We have a beautiful marriage and I would like that every Romanian woman to have a man like him. Prince Paul is perfect! He has an extraordinary will and he is a man of honor, a fighter and a patriot. It may seem rather quaint but he truly loves his country. We are partners with equal rights. I am not exaggerating, we actually are. More couples here are enjoying this type of friendship/partnership/marriage. The power of two capable decision-makers, prepared and focused can be a source for improvement and progress while still respecting our institutions and culture. Responsibility and respect can be the basis for every couple.”
Him: “After 11 years of marriage, I find Lia beautiful. Always beautiful! I think that sometimes she exaggerates about striving for perfectionism, this is her only defect. Lia chose Romania because she is a true Romanian, even if she was raised in America. It is fair and this is what she expects from the others. She is a diplomat and extremely dedicated.
Monasteries in Moldova – a place very dear to their hearts
About the dignified activities of his status, the Prince is the President of Honor of many Associations or societies in Romania, England, France and America. He loves animals – in South America, he was an environmentalist, a pioneer in the successful campaign to save wildlife. He was made a Fellow of The Royal Geographical Society for his studies and expeditions in the Andes. “We like very much enjoy Moldova. It is a place close to our hearts, we endowed a senior citizens building for several hundred residents in the region with a $ 60,000 heating equipment, we underwrote numerous churches in this zone. We love these places, but we also frequently visit the west side of the country, especially Cluj”. Neither one is dependent solely on the big fashion houses, haute couture. Princess Lia is of a practical nature: “We have some fashion houses which we frequent but we cannot say we are obsessive clients. My preference is to balance Romanian and foreign designers. The scope of our invitation to Naomi Campbell was to generate widespread media coverage of the potential here for the international fashion industry, both with production facilities and local design capabilities. Her visit realized an interview with us and several fashion designers on CNN, Euro News, seven foreign style magazines. It proved to have been a public relations boon for trade.
An inspirational thought for Romanians from Prince Paul of Romania: “I believe in Romania and in Romanians. After traveling to so many countries, Romania impressed me through her spiritualism, pride in her traditions and the enormous potential of our citizenry. The women here are examples of honesty, diligence and dedication to family and community. Especially in the countryside, education and one’s reputation are valued more highly than expensive nouveau riche trappings. One should not be impressed with someone ill gained expensive car or cloths. The value of a country is given by the value of her people. Sadly, too many instantly wealthy people in Romania lack the sense of responsibility to charities, lack education, culture and common sense. But we can find these types all over the world. We do not judge, yet we should not hold up these extreme examples of materialism as our models. True wealth and peace of mind is determined through hard work, education and honor.
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