Gente: Royalty
The first interview with The Romanoffs since their happy announcement. Russian Legitimist is pleased to provide a translation of the original Italian interview, conducted and written by Barbara Nevosi
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Love was born over time — the long engagement and then the fairytale wedding in St. Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg last October. Now, the news of the crowning moment of the dream of Rebecca Bettarini (who with her wedding became Princess Victoria) and her husband, the Grand Duke George Romanoff, has arrived: she is expecting. Yes, it brings great joy to the family: soon a baby will be born, an heir to the tsars, in whose veins Italian blood will flow. Roman by birth, cosmopolitan in upbringing, Rebecca, born in 1982, grew up following her father, Ambassador Roberto Bettarini, during his diplomatic assignments around the world. She speaks six languages, has a degree in Political Science, writes mystery novels for pleasure and has a pragmatic and determined attitude. Before getting married she worked in an Italian defense group and founded her own consulting company.
Now she manages several foundations, each dealing with charity and food assistance, as well as to help stem the "culture of waste." Gente now meets Rebecca and George for the first time since the official announcement of their engagement. And today, we collect the thoughts of the expectant mother, eagerly awaiting her firstborn,
Rebecca, how are you feeling?
“I feel well. I am in my fifth month and this pregnancy is proving to be very calm.”
Do you already know the sex of the baby?
"Yes. but we will reveal it later. We are waiting until we choose the name and then we will reveal whether it is a male or a female".
What about baptism?
“In the Orthodox Church this is done 40 days after the birth of the baby. There is a Chancellery which will organize everything, just as they did for the wedding. They will speak to the clergy and decide where it will be most appropriate to celebrate it".
How are you preparing yourself to become a mother?
"I haven't really internalized the idea yet. The important thing is that this baby is healthy, that everything is fine and that the birth is seen as a good sign of a more peaceful future. We live in difficult times. Beyond the fighting in Ukraine, there are many conflicts in the world, and enormous poverty continues to exist. As a girl, with my parents, I lived in Baghdad during the war, so I understand what I am talking about quite well. One always hopes that history will not repeat itself, but it is not so".
A few weeks ago you and your husband released ‘doves of peace’
"It was a symbolic gesture. We do not enter into political issues, as we would never want our words to be taken out of context. As my husband says, we stopped being involved in politics 100 years ago. Releasing doves is a sign of peace, that peace which is a universal right and goal of all peoples. We all hope for a better future for our children and promote reconciliation as soon as possible.
Your Highness, have you always hoped to become a mother?
"Yes, but only with the right person. With my husband we have cultivated this desire together, we also waited until we could stabilize a bit as we have each lived in many different cities over the years".
What made you fall in love with her husband?
"His kindness, his goodness. Characteristically. we met one another, but it was only later that the spark went off. For years we were just friends, but the first time I brought George home, my father said ,"You are going to marry this boy, because he already looks like our son.” He was family-oriented, and we had in common similar education, mentality, and values.”
How has it been since the first months afterthe wedding. What changes have you faced?
"We have not changed personally, or as a couple, but the perception of us by others has. I had no role before, but now I do. In Russia, the history and the past are very much felt and respected. And since the Romanoffs reigned for three hundred years, the Russians themselves identify very much with the family. Then there is a very strong religious component: Nicholas II and his whole family (exterminated by the Bolsheviks in Yekaterinburg on the night between 16 and 17 July 918, ED.) are Saints and Martyrs, and in us, as their descendants, they see a continuity".
Your husband said that he feels like a guardian of the historical and cultural memory of Russia, How do you help him?
“The Romanoffs do not have political offices, but a service role. We use our name to do good, making it available to those who suffer. We also helped the Orthodox community abroad during the pandemic. We help Russians and Ukrainians with the problems in Ukraine. Russians and Ukrainians are brothers, like Armenians and Uzbeks. When we give assistance we don’t check passports.”
Do you already imagine what kind of father George will be?
"I believe he will be attentive and taken by the role. And very sensitive, maybe even a little nervous. The doctor says that with the second child that gets better".
Do you have any plans soon?
"In time, to return to Italy for a while, to enjoy a bit of relaxation by the sea".
Barbara Nevosi
