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Helsinki Edition
October 1998
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Overexposed or undercover?
Flashing cameras and journalists in bushes may sum up the British media's relationship with its royal family but nothing could be further from the truth in Belgium.
There the holiday photo's are of royal walkabouts, not toe sucking affairs. The media keeps a respectful distance where the Royals are concerned and trips to the gym are definitely out of bounds.
As for scandal stories there are no divorces, no alcoholics and no Camillas. Well, not that we know of anyway. Maybe the contrast in family size is one reason: eleven people can't do that much damage. Or perhaps the Belgians wouldn't publish a bad picture of their princess even if the Brits seem to delight in it.
As respect for the royals diminishes in England, maybe a similar revolution will sweep Belgium. Diana's appearence in the early eighties signalled a turning point for the press and provided a focus. We have yet to discover the fate of Belgium's future queen.
Nancy Fielder
Leslie Dehauwere |
