After 25 years, last October 3 Henry of Luxembourg (70 years old) ceased to be Grand Duke during a moving abdication ceremony organized at the capital’s Parliament at his son’s home William (44). After a quarter of a century, the … who until then had been regent of the house of Nassau-Weilburg, stepped aside and handed over to his eldest son the last head of state remaining in the hands of a reigning ducal house in Europe.
In front of the deputies, foreign dignitaries – among others, the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsolaand the President of the European Council, Antonio Costathe French president Emmanuel Macron or its German counterpart Frank Walter Steinmeier— Henri de Luxembourg was visibly moved as he listened to his son’s inaugural speech, in which he pledged to be a regent “who builds bridges between generations, between tradition and innovation.” “I will strive to build bridges between people, thus strengthening the cohesion of our society,” he promised, while firmly defending “fundamental democratic principles.”
Christmas speech
Today, almost three months later, William of Luxembourg speaks again to the nation, this time during the Christmas celebration.
A historic moment which was shared through a video published on the official profiles of the duchy on social networks. It shows a small group of musicians performing ‘De Wilhelmus’, the grand ducal anthem of Luxembourg, before the camera focuses on a room decorated with a large decorated Christmas tree, where Guillaume was waiting to address the audience with his first speech as the new head of state in which he highlighted the essential values that make up Luxembourg society, such as cohesion, solidarity, openness and tolerance. He also highlighted the strong bond that unites the country’s inhabitants: “In a small country, we are not just neighbors, but family. A family in which everyone has their place, their voice, their responsibility. It makes us strong because it is based on trust, solidarity and cohesion. This is the strength of our country: small in size, but big in unity,” he declared in a simple and friendly tone.
He ended his speech with an encouraging message: “May the next year help us get closer together. Together we can build a future that reflects the best of us. I wish you all a peaceful and joyful Christmas.”
s festivities and a prosperous new year.
Family
Guillaume de Luxembourg married in October 2012 to Grand Duchess Stéphanie with their ecclesiastical marriage celebrated in the Sainte-Marie Cathedral in Luxembourg, after three years of relationship. “We met about eight years ago in Germany while on vacation with mutual friends. We lost contact for several years; Then, by chance, we saw each other again in Germany. That’s when our love story began,” admitted the then Countess Estefanía in an interview in 2012 on the occasion of the announcement of her engagement to the heir. 1,400 guests attended the wedding, including the Kings of NorwayTHE Princess Margaret of DenmarkSO Princes of Asturias Felipe and Letizia, Caroline of Monaco, Marie-Chantal Miller And Paul of Greece wave Princess Lalla Salma of Moroccothen married him King Mohamed VI.
For the big occasion, the bride wore a spectacular haute couture creation by Elie Saab Ivory with lace and silk tulle veil with gold threads. A dress with French sleeves with a skirt made of twelve layers and a large train of 4.50 meters. As a special accessory, Estefanía wore the tiara of 270 diamonds that belongs to her family.
Their two children were born from their marriage: Prince Charles5 years, and Francisfingers. Born into an aristocratic Belgian family
Abdication
This is a very symbolic date for the family since just a year ago, Enrique gave his last Christmas speech announcing that he would hand over the crown to his son Guillermo. “Dear fellow citizens, the year 2024 is coming to an end and Christmas is the ideal time to reflect on the year that is ending. This time, I do it with a lot of emotion, since it is the last time that I will give the Christmas speech as head of state,” he began without being able to avoid getting excited.
It was at the beginning of last October that Guillermo took over the management of the group. A very special date since it marked Enrique’s 25th anniversary as Grand Duke, who also became head of state since the abdication of his father, the Grand Duke JeanOctober 7, 2000. A way to avoid a major silver party of the reign in order to concentrate all attention on the great event of the replacement of the throne in favor of his son.
On October 8, the heir takes the oath and assumes part of the institutional tasks, a decisive step towards the throne. The Luxembourg nation, of some 680,000 inhabitants, was adorned for the occasion with all the trappings due to the arrival of dozens of leaders. Hundreds of people followed the ceremony and the parade of guests who walked the red carpet between the palace and the Parliament, to welcome the seventh sovereign of the House of Nassau-Weilburg.
About The Author
