So, how's life?
Simply lovely. The Prince Paul for Romania Foundation has logged over $5 million worth of donations of medical equipment, medicines, scholarships, school renovations and training programmes for women throughout Romania.
Do you, or have you, ever had a nickname, and if so, what?
Yes. A predictable one. ́Princess Leia ́ when ́Star Warsî was first released. This was long before I had met my future husband.
What is your earliest memory?
4 a.m. today.
What were you like at school?
I was president of the senior class, captain of the varsity cheerleaders, in the debating team, and lettered in sports. A charmed existence.
Are you a good dancer?
When I was a youngster I actually competed in the Ethnic Folk Dancing Festival in Michigan and represented Romania.
What is the last good book you read?
My husband's cheque book.
What film have you enjoyed recently?
Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ. Maia Morgenstern should be nominated for an Oscar for her powerful and riveting performance as Mary.
Do you collect anything?
Compliments. (Couldn't resist that. Sorry!)
Would you sunbathe naked?
No, because I am far too wary of paparazzi.
Would you bungee-jump?
Never.
Have you got any scars?
No, because I never bungee-jumped.
Where did you spend your most recent holiday?
Holiday ? Is that a 4-letter word?
If you could holiday anywhere, where would it be?
In my lifetime, I envision a trip to the moon.
If you could live anywhere, where would you live?
As long as I am in an urban centre, I can thrive.
What is your greatest personal sporting achievement?
Hunting and bagging a 12-point stag named Paul (my husband).
What is the most memorable sporting event you have attended?
The sumo tournament while I was a student at Japan's Waseda University. Steeped in tradition, and packed with ancient pageantry.
Describe an enjoyable meal.
Room service at the 5 star Kempinsky Hotel in Istanbul , cuddled up next to my husband. No phones.
Describe the best party you ever went to.
The Democratic Party National Convention. At the time, I was working in the Carter White House. This was a contested presidential re-election bid and we were in the midst of a historical partisan whirlwind.
With which biblical character do you most identify?
One might speculate that I would say Leah, Jacob's teary-eyed first wife. Actually, I identify more with a quotation from the bible - ́Whither thou goest, so too will Iî ñ pledged by Ruth to her mother-in-law, Naomi. An endearing example of familial loyalty and sisterhood.
What is your favorite musical instrument?
Ever since Orson Welles' Third Man Theme I have been hypnotised by the zither (the Romanian version is the tambal).
Is the glass half-full, or half-empty?
Always half-full, served in rose coloured glasses.
If you were not doing your current job, what might you do?
An adviser to the Japanese government Diet, or to their prime minister. Each summer, whilst I was a postgraduate student at Oxford University, I would intern and take university courses in Japan.
What is your most prized possession?
My wedding ring. It was HM Queen Marie's. It symbolises the fusion of tradition and sense of duty for me.
What do you always carry with you?
A focused, positive attitude.
What might you be reincarnated as?
I do not even wish to think about an answer after the classic retort by Woody Allen, which was to come back as Warren Beatty's fingertips.
What is the most you have ever paid a hairdresser?
I paid dearly on my last visit to London because he practically scalped me. Reminded me of a scene from Edward Scissorhands.
Name three personal heroes.
Only three? May I suggest three from each epoch? WWII, for instance, had three clashing titans at El Alamein. Patton, Montgomery and Rommel. All extraordinary heroes, all patriots, officers and gentlemen, examples of the epitome of honour, courage and valour.
What do you do in hotel rooms?
That is censored.
What is your all-time favorite television show?
Roots, because Alex Hailey was a dear friend.
Who is your favourite James Bond?
Forget Bond, James Bond. I'm transfixed with John Cleese, the new Q.
Have you had any interesting jobs before this?
Trade negotiator and lobbyist for a foreign country before I worked in the White House.
Have you got any pets?
A very lovable Great Dane, Magaly, who kisses us on the cheek each morning.
If you were an animal, what would you be?
My husband's dog. A truly privileged, pampered pooch.
Is the art of letter-writing dead?
No, but the Romanian art of writing thank you notes needs to be resurrected.
Can you recite a line of poetry?
See April's Vivid. In the piece about the dentist, Dr Anca Marinescu, I penned a little verse, ́On the day before Christmas
And all through the house
You could hear my anguished moans
ëcause of the pain in my mouth.î
Are you happy with your passport photograph?
Where's Annie Liebowitz when I need her?
When was the last time you were in a fight?
Oxford staged a forum with well-known alumnus as guest debaters. Not a fight but a lively debate.
Who is the sexiest person in the world?
For me, my husband.
Who is the sexiest person you know?
See above.
If you were an animal, what would you be?
A thoroughbred racehorse. I perform well under pressure.
Do you talk in your sleep?
I certainly hope not because we were told that our rooms are bugged. Not sure if I was being ribbed or not.
What is the best rock concert you were ever at?
Band Aid, for which I was part of the fundraising committee.
What is your all-time favorite song?
́Che Gelinda Maninaî from Puccini's masterpiece, La Boheme. Perhaps it is partially because we listen to it all the time from a video of my late mother-in-law. Before she married my father-in-law Prince Carol Mircea, she had debuted as Mimi in ́La Bohemeî at the Paris Opera.
If you had three wishes, what would they be?
#1 To have 2 more additional wishes. #2 Ditto. #3 Ditto. This way I would maximize my genie's powers.
If a film was made of your life, which actor would best play you?
Natalie Wood, Natalie Wood wherefore art thou?
What is best about living in Romania?
Working with the remarkable Romanian women. Truly the best.
What Romanian would you most like to meet?
Princess Bibescu, one of the most stylish women in Europe who was a spy for the allies during the second world war and who later received the French Legion of Honour.
