Princess Claudia comes from an old, noble Italian family, whose history can be traced back to the eleventh century, making her the witness to, and interpreter of ancient traditions.
The opinions of ancient historians differ on the origins of the Ruffo di Calabria family. The first confirmed news about the family dates back to around 1000. Their power and authority manifested itself over the centuries and was also expressed in the Papal Bull of Pope Innocent IV in 1254.
Over time illustrious members of the Ruffo di Calabria family became the central figures in important historical events.
     In the eighteenth century Cardinal Fabrizio Ruffo di Calabria went down in history for having defended the fortunes of the kingdom of Naples by personally entering bravely into battle.
     In 1884 Prince Fulco Ruffo di Calabria was born in Naples, grandfather of Princess Claudia and First World War Hero. Pioneer and ace of Italian aviation, Senator of the Kingdom, he was awarded his aviation pilot’s licence in Pisa in 1915. He bravely fought in the squadron of Major Francesco Baracca and sustained hundreds of battles in the air. He was decorated for military honour with a gold medal, two silver medals and four bronze on the following grounds “A man of distinguished military virtue, a pilot of fighter planes of exceptional bravery and with a spirit of sacrifice equal to his courage, he continued to seek victory wherever he could find it”
     In 1959 the present queen Paola Ruffo di Calabria, aunt of Princess Claudia, married HRH Prince Albert of Belgium, who came to the throne in 1993 as Albert II.
     In 1961 Don Antonello Ruffo di Calabria and Rosemarie of the Tasca d’Almerita Counts, the parents of Princess Claudia, were married in Palermo, in the famous Palatina Chapel within the Palazzo dei Normanni, thus consecrating and renewing the historical union between the Ruffo di Calabria family and the Sicilian nobility.
     In 1969, in Rome, their last child was born, Claudia who, through her education, training and the tradition of the Italian aristocracy, has skilfully introduced the art of hospitality and good taste into her business and combined it with the productive efficiency that is typical of our times.