Question re: King Albert and Queen Paola of Belgium?

Question

Was their marriage considered 'equal'? He was an HRH of course, but even though she had the title of princess was she in fact an HRH? Or, does the honors system in Italy allow for non-royal prince/esses? I know her father definately bore a princely title, but again not sure of an HRH.

Answer 1

The system that gave the Queen of Belgium's father his princely title under King Victor-Emmanuel(in 1928) allowed it,but to my knowledge the title is strictly a noble title,not a royal one( see http:/.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_nob... ).

Paola is probably considered an equal because of her upbringing,education and ties to the nobility.Her title doesn't carry the weightiness of age,though,not being handed down for centuries as others have been.