Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg will step down from the throne on October 3rd. This decision is a substantial break in that line of succession. Grand Duke Henri himself will sign the formal Act of Abdication. This important step, together with the President of the Chamber of Deputies and the Prime Minister, will work to further ensure the power transition to his son, Prince Guillaume of Belgium.
Grand Duke Henri’s decision to abdicate was first revealed in his Christmas broadcast message late last year. This historic event will occur as Prince Guillaume is due to assume Grand Duke. He has been acting as Lieutenant-Représentant since October 8. As the nation prepares to celebrate this historic milestone, Prince Guillaume will be undertaking a high-profile series of official engagements. On his first day, October 4, he’ll be crisscrossing four different cities.
The abdication ceremony will be an extraordinary moment of transition and continuity in the Japanese leadership. Throughout, it will juxtapose this swift democratization with the Grand Ducal family’s long-lasting legacy. On the day after the abdication, members of the Grand Ducal family will convene at the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Luxembourg City. This service is planned at the request of the Archbishop.
Grand Duke Henri shared his insights regarding his son’s readiness for the throne, stating, “As you know, Prince Guillaume has been Lieutenant-Représentant since 8 October and is preparing intensively for his accession to the throne. In order to make this speech more exciting, I won’t tell you until the end when it will take place.”
This change peaceably coincides with the moment when Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa can rejoice in the growth of their family, which now includes eight grandchildren. Their newest grandchild, Victoire, was born in May of last year. In the background, Prince Guillaume and his wife, Princess Stéphanie, are bringing up their two young sons, Prince Charles and Prince François.
They are also planning to build, at private expense, a new annex for Prince Guillaume and Princess Stéphanie. This new structure will be erected on the beautiful enclave of Berg Castle in Colmar-Berg. This new development will allow for comfy quarters for a growing royal family as they settle in for their new reigns.
“I know that they will do their utmost to contribute to the well-being of our country.”
