Madam, Christmas is fast approaching. How do you and your family prepare for this festive time of year?
The program has always been immutable. Every 1is December, we start the day by setting up the crèche. A task which Prince Jean took on, helped by several children. Because it is he who is responsible for undoing it as soon as the festivities are over. He knows in which box to put each of the figures or the farm and the oratory. He’s pretty meticulous about that! This nativity scene from Maison Carbonel in Provence is particularly close to our hearts because it is also a posthumous gift from Prince Henri, my husband’s father. Then the children and I go to a local producer or store to buy our tree. This is another moment that I really like. Once back we happily set about decorating our house. Thus serenely marking our entry into the Advent season.
Besides the nativity scene and the tree, you also have a particular fondness for the Christmas wreath…
It’s true. I always make sure that we are one, often acquired from Yannick Delplace, a local florist, first recognized for his work as a feather worker. Do you know that he creates very beautiful things for the Venice Carnival? I also make sure to light the first of the four candles placed on it. They symbolize the four weeks of Advent. Then just hang the Advent calendar. Princess Antoinette likes to be in charge. Ours comes straight from Austria. Personally I find them more colorful and pretty.
This year, Prince Alphonse, who will very soon blow out his first candle, has been particularly active…
Yes. Let’s just say he enjoyed undoing what his brothers and sisters worked so hard to achieve! So much so that to counter his attacks, I found the solution: arrange his little playpen around the tree. Like a rampart. Children love decorating the tree and hanging decorations on it. Among which are an angel with a trumpet, pine cone garlands, red or white balls, golden nuts hand-painted by my own mother or cones into which candy will soon be placed,Vanille Kipferls and other delicious homemade cookies. I also love all these Christmas baking which reminds me of Austria.
A country that you will find this year for the holidays…
Yes, last year, the imminent birth of Prince Alphonse forced us to deviate from “the rule” and stay in France. So this year we are resuming good Viennese habits.
So what will your family program be?
As soon as class ends, on December 21, we will hit the road to meet family and loved ones. In all, there will be around thirty of us surrounding Mom for a warm, friendly Christmas party which is above all for the children. On December 24, the festivities begin around 7 p.m. While the children rehearse Christmas carols in a room, we take the opportunity to place presents under the tree. Then my brother David, who is always in the kitchen preparing good meals for us, traditionally rings the bell so that everyone gets together. In the darkness, lit by a few candles, my husband Prince John is reading the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to St Luke. Then come the Christmas carols and the opening of gifts.
We imagine that the children will have difficulty sitting down to eat afterwards…
Quite ! But soon they do honor to the feasts. Moreover, it is the same menu every year: fish soup, then salads of macedonia and lamb’s lettuce accompanied by baked fish and Nusstorte (walnut cake) for dessert. Enough to keep them waiting until the traditional midnight mass.
Is it difficult to continue the next day?
A little, but that’s why we favor a very large brunch. Everyone can come and help themselves throughout the day. And exercise is always welcome. We like to go for walks and especially go to the Sky Rink, one of the most beautiful open-air ice rinks in the world, in front of Vienna City Hall.
Madam, what did you ask for as a gift?
When people ask me what I would be happy to receive, I never know what to say. But finding the right gift for each of my children and seeing them marvel at the magic of Christmas remains my greatest present.
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