Queen Paola of Belgium to announce shock retirement?

  • By Smith Alexander
  • Brussels
  • Last updated on

Ruffo di Calabria created a stir on Monday when rumors have surfaced that her career was over.

Sad news for Ruffo di Calabria fans. Speculation had been rife that the Belgian monarch will announce her retirement from all public activities, at age 88, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 13/01/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a monarch isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a monarch just isn't fun anymore,” she might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that she may branch out into other creative fields she is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouPaola

For a little while on Monday evening, #ThankYouPaola was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made her make the decision.

“You’ve accomplished everything I ever dreamed of #ThankYouPaola.”
— @DesireePlum, 12 Jan 2026
“Didn't Queen Paola of Belgium retire about 3 years ago?”
— @samy2love, 12 Jan 2026

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