Patrick Weber

She has a clear agenda to which she is tirelessly committed: fighting poverty, education, health, and strengthening the rights of women and children. As a trained psychologist, she is a leading figure in the fields of mental health and child welfare. From the Royal Palace, this mother of four has taken up the fight against cyberbullying with a video message she produced herself: “Cyberbullying is despicable!” As honorary president of the “Child Focus” foundation, she advocates for missing and sexually exploited children—an issue that has deeply affected Belgian society since the horrific crimes of Marc Dutroux in the 1990s. As honorary president of UNICEF, she is committed to promoting children’s rights worldwide.

No profession, no say, no freedom of expression. Life as a prince consort is not exactly pleasure taxing. No constitution ascribes any function to the husband of a queen. Nowhere does it say what he must or must not do. A life in the shadow of the crown. Can that go well?