Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg reveals shock plans handy over throne
Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg today revealed he plans to hand over the throne to his son after 24 years on the throne.
The monarch, 69, announced his ‘abdication’ on National Day, an annual event that brings together the members of the Grand Ducal family, members of government and members of parliament to celebrate Grand Duke’s official birthday.
Henri will pass this new title to his 42-year-old son, Prince Guillaume, in October, after expressing an interest in retirement earlier this year.
He said at the celebration: ‘In this context, I, together with the Grand Duchess, Prince Guillaume and Princess Stéphanie, would like to inform you that I have decided to transfer the Lieutenancy to Prince Guillaume this October.
‘It is with all my love and confidence that I wish him the best of luck.’
Grand Duke Henri will pass this new title to his 42-year-old son, Prince Guillaume, in October (pictured both in 2022)
Grand Duke Henri announced his ‘abdication’ on National Day, an annual celebration of the Monarch’s birthday
After the announcement, the Grand Duke appeared very moved and kissed his son whilst the room applauded.
This change means that Grand Duke Henri will retain his official title but he will instead be represented by his son, Guillaume. A full change in the Grand Duchy will likely take several years.
According to the official Palace website, ‘designation of the Lieutenant-Representative traditionally occurs in the process of change of reign’.
‘This is the beginning of a next chapter for our monarchy,’ Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Luc Frieden told local media.
The move came as a shock to the public, but Frieden said it had been mulled behind closed doors for a while.
‘We have been talking about it for some time, and I think that on the national holiday it was the right moment, because the Grand Duke is the symbol of our nation,’ he said.
Grand Duke Henri is the eldest son of the five children of Grand Duke Jean and Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte and took to the throne in 2000, after his father abdicated following a 36-year reign.
He is married to Maria Teresa Mestre, the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg. and the pair have five children together; Prince Guillaume, Princess Alexandra, Prince Louis, Prince Félix and Prince Sébastien.
He turned 69 in April and admitted that he ‘intends to retire at some point’ in an interview with French publication La Libre.
Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg is pictured with his son, Prince Guillaume and his grandson, Prince Charles in 2020
Different country, same story: King Frederik, Queen Mary and Queen Margrethe of Denmark pictured in May – Frederik was made monarch after Queen Margrethe of Denmark abdicated
‘All this is planned in family consultation. I find that it is very important to give young people a perspective.’
‘There are plans, it will happen,’ the Grand Duke continued.
His comments follow the abdication of Queen Margrethe of Denmark, who decided to give up the throne after 52 years, making way for her son Frederik to take over as King on 14 January.
In a statement revealing the news, the former Danish monarch said: ‘I have decided that now is the right time.
‘The 14th January 2024 – 52 years after I followed my beloved father – I will step back as the Queen of Denmark. I leave the throne to my son the Crown Prince Frederik.’
Similar to Grand Duke Henri, Margrethe still holds the title, but Frederik and his wife Mary now undertake the duties of King and Queen.
