Sonia Gandhi’s memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, offers personal glimpses of her encounters with prominent world leaders and members of the British royal family. Having travelled with two Prime Ministers, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, she recounts meetings with figures including former US President Bill Clinton, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Princess Diana.
Her recollections range from observing Clinton at a reception hosted by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to an awkward exchange between Prince Edward and Indian ministers during the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
Clinton’s behaviour at Vajpayee’s reception
Gandhi recalls Clinton’s 2000 visit to India, when he stayed at Delhi’s Sheraton hotel with his daughter, Chelsea, and his delegation. She had called on him alongside India’s foreign minister and described the former US President as friendly, informal and confident.
However, she felt he appeared more interested in sharing his views and predictions about Kashmir than listening to the Indian delegation. Clinton reportedly described the region as a nuclear flashpoint and one of the most dangerous places on earth.
Gandhi also makes a pointed observation about his conduct at a reception hosted by Vajpayee in his honour. Recalling that the Monica Lewinsky scandal had somewhat faded by then, she writes that she noticed Clinton discreetly looking over some of the more striking women present.
She remarked that old habits appeared difficult to shake off.
Sarkozy’s conduct during his India visits
Gandhi also recounts two encounters with Sarkozy, including his 2008 visit to India, when he travelled without his then partner, Carla Bruni.
According to her account, Sarkozy had reportedly been advised against bringing Bruni because the couple were not married, which could have created awkwardness at official engagements.
At a banquet, the wife of then Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari, who was seated next to Sarkozy, began asking him about his plans to marry Bruni, whether a date had been fixed and whether he missed her.
Gandhi writes that Sarkozy appeared entirely comfortable with the questions and readily discussed his relationship while continuously messaging Bruni on his phone.
She met the couple again some years later at a private dinner hosted by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife. By that time, Sarkozy and Bruni were married.
Gandhi describes Bruni, a singer, songwriter and former model, as graceful and elegant. However, she was less impressed by Sarkozy’s conduct during the dinner. While Bruni spoke cordially but infrequently, her husband dominated the conversation, explaining to Manmohan Singh what India should do.
Gandhi found his manner arrogant, particularly because he was addressing a Prime Minister whom she considered more senior, experienced and knowledgeable.
Princess Diana’s warmth towards Gandhi’s mother
Among the more affectionate recollections in the memoir are Gandhi’s meetings with Princess Diana. She writes that her family had enjoyed friendships with members of the British royal family over generations and that Rajiv Gandhi had shared a good rapport with Prince Charles.
Gandhi remembers Diana as the most captivating member of the royal family, recalling her appearance and magnetic personality when she and Rajiv attended Charles and Diana’s wedding in 1981.
When the royal couple visited India in 1992, however, Gandhi felt that their marriage was going through a difficult period. She recalls that on the day Diana famously posed alone on the bench in front of the Taj Mahal, which Gandhi refers to as the “love bench”, the couple visited the Gandhis for a late tea.
While Charles was forthcoming and amusing, Diana appeared subdued, although Gandhi noted that she looked striking in a red and purple outfit.
Gandhi’s mother was visiting at the time and was keen to meet the princess. Her daughter Priyanka insisted that her grandmother, whom she called “Nonna”, be introduced to Diana.
When Diana wondered why Gandhi’s mother was so quiet, Priyanka explained that she had been asked not to speak because she knew only Italian. Diana responded warmly, greeting her in Italian and asking how she was. Gandhi recalls that the princess made an effort to pronounce the words correctly, even though she used the informal form of address.
As the royal couple were leaving, Diana turned back, waved to Gandhi’s mother and called out “Ciao, Nonna!”
Gandhi also presented Charles and Diana with her book *Rajiv*. Diana later wrote to her, saying how much she had admired Rajiv Gandhi.
Gandhi’s later encounters with Diana
Gandhi recalls meeting Diana again in London, where the princess had invited her for tea. Diana arrived wearing a black suit with a white collar and joked that she felt like a crow.
They later crossed paths at a hairdresser’s. Gandhi noticed Diana sitting beside her and decided to pass her a note. She intended to write “Hi” but accidentally wrote “Hye”. Realising the mistake only after handing it over, she wished she could retrieve the note, but Diana had already placed it in her handbag.
The two exchanged a few words quietly, not wanting to attract attention. Gandhi says that this was their last meeting.
Reflecting on the criticism Diana faced during her life, Gandhi says she continued to sympathise with the princess, despite the public perception that she was privileged and had little reason to feel wronged.
Prince Edward’s awkward exchange with Indian ministers
Another anecdote in the memoir concerns a dinner hosted by Manmohan Singh during the 2010 Commonwealth Games in honour of Prince Charles and Camilla, then the Duchess of Cornwall.
At the gathering, Prince Edward greeted Gandhi and the Prime Minister before turning towards the other ministers and asking who they were. His question left those present stunned.
Pranab Mukherjee, who was then the Finance Minister, responded by standing to his full height, which Gandhi notes was five feet three inches, and formally introducing himself and his cabinet colleagues.
Prince Edward acknowledged the introduction with a brief response.
The episode adds another moment of unexpected humour to Gandhi’s account of encounters with international dignitaries, which range from candid observations about political leaders to warm memories of members of the royal family.