Bardella finally decided to end the rumors and speak openly about his relationship with Maria Carolina of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, in a public admission that is already being intensely discussed in France. The 30-year-old president of the National Rally appeared on France 2 and, prompted by the Paris Match cover, admitted that his personal life can no longer remain out of the public eye. The issue had already taken on major proportions since April 9, when Paris Match was published with photos of the couple, while French and international media linked this move to a clear attempt at publicly formalizing their relationship.
Read: “The romance no one expected”: Far-right Bardella couples with Italian Princess Carolina
As a guest on the show, Bardella admitted that the couple is no longer hiding. As he said, “it’s difficult to maintain one’s private life when practicing politics at the level where I find myself,” explaining that paparazzi had been following them for months and had essentially camped outside their home. In the same spirit, he noted that they jointly decided to stop avoiding the public image of their relationship and accept a reality that, as he implied, made no sense to hide any longer. The romance had already become the subject of major coverage in France after the Paris Match cover, which featured the French politician and the 22-year-old Italian princess in tender moments.
Bardella: “Paparazzi chased us for months”
This public confirmation didn’t come out of nowhere. For weeks, French media had been discussing Bardella’s presence alongside Maria Carolina, while reports suggested the couple had been spotted as early as January at social events in Paris. International media also reported that the two had been linked earlier, with rumors placing their first meeting within 2025, while Paris Match was what gave the story the complete public dimension it was missing. Le Monde characterized the whole issue as a “communication gamble,” pointing out that Bardella’s image is changing and that exposing his personal life works both politically and symbolically.
He, however, attempted to maintain a clear line between his political and personal life. When asked if this was the moment to formalize his relationship, he answered indirectly, saying he doesn’t want to be judged for who his partner is but “for the ideas and positions” he supports. He added, however, something that left no room for misinterpretation: “I am very happy.” This was the clearest, most human, and perhaps most politically calculated phrase of his intervention. For a politician who until now had avoided exposing his personal life so openly, this admission represents a clear shift.
Bardella: The romance that became a political issue
His relationship with an Italian princess couldn’t remain solely in the lifestyle category. Bardella is already one of the most prominent figures of the French far-right, and several media outlets position him as a central figure for upcoming presidential developments, especially under the weight of political developments surrounding Marine Le Pen. That’s why his connection with a blue-blooded, wealthy, and extremely prominent personality was treated by many as something more than a love story. Le Monde pointed out that choosing this public image might blur his profile as a “populist” politician, while other publications spoke of a new attempt to broaden his appeal to more conservative, traditional, and glamorous audiences.
Thus, Bardella didn’t simply answer a personal question. With a brief public admission, he placed his private life within the political framework, even though he declared he doesn’t want to be judged for it. His relationship with Maria Carolina, from the moment it emerged from behind the scenes and moved to center stage, ceases to be just a social snapshot. It becomes part of the image of a politician who appears to be methodically preparing every next step.
