Here's my daughter. She's already come of age.

Saturday, 19 February 2011. Italy's Capital historical centre. The Italian politician-entrepreneur meets up with the journalist, a relaxing moment with Silvio Berlusconi. Or is it?

Enrico Mentana, Director of TG La7

Silvio Berlusconi and Enrico Mentana (former anchorman of Berlusconi's TG5 and Matrix TV programmes and now news director at La7, Italian niche TV channel) bump into each other centre of Rome.

The Italian Prime Minister's armour-plated car is leaving Palazzo Grazioli, his residence in Rome. Mentana is strolling around with his family.

Silvio Berlusconi spots his former employee, stops the procession, gets out of his car to greet him. Big smiles, hand shaking (apparently they both forgot any previous conflict. And they did have conflicts*!), then the Premier starts a small talk with the youngest of Mentana's children, sitting on the journalist shoulders: «You're such a big girl, you shouldn't need to suck a dummy».

Then Mentana introduces to Berlusconi the elder son, and the elder daughter, saying «She's my daughter too, but she's already came of age...», alluding to the Rubygate, the sex scandal that involved an under-age prostitute called Ruby the Heart Stealer.

You know, he's quite a funny person and he emphasises the joke with a huge smile and a laugh. 

President Berlusconi does not laugh at all.

2006 Newsweek cover

Then, to break the embarrassment, Mentana asks Berlusconi whether he's travelling to Arcore (near Milan, where he resides in the magnificent Villa San Martino). The answer is «Yes, I'm travelling to Arcore», then Berlusconi turns to the youngest member of the family, whose conversation seems to be more trouble-free.

Looks like The Knight is more keen on his own jokes than others', ...

*Amongst other issues, Mentana's supporting Inter Milan football team could have been a problem, since Mr Berlusconi is the owner and the president of Derby della Madonnina's rival team AC Milan.

Video from our YouTube Channel: Berluschannel