Prince Ricardo De La Cerda
Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg was appointed the ‘Lieutenant Répresentant’ of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg on October 8th, launching the transition process to the eventual Abdication of Grand Duke Henri in a few years.
In the afternoon, Grand Duke Henri and Prime Minister Luc Frieden signed the documents appointing Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume as the ‘Lieutenant Répresentant’ of the Grand Duke at the Palais Grand Ducal.
The title of Lieutenant Répresentant has a unique place in Luxembourg’s royal tradition. It’s not a position that has always existed or been used in the Luxembourgish monarchy, but when invoked, it signifies a critical point of transition within the monarchy. The role allows the heir apparent to the crown to temporarily take over the duties of the reigning monarch without requiring immediate abdication by the current Grand Duke. This system has been used during times when the Grand Duke or Grand Duchess wishes to step back from active duties but remains formally the country’s monarch, giving the heir apparent a smoother transition into the role.
Grand Duchess Maria Teresa and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie joined Grand Duke Henri and Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume
Shortly afterwords, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume was formally sworn-in as the ‘Lieutenant Répresentant’ in a ceremony at the Chamber of Deputies, which was followed by the new Lieutenant Répresentant returning to the Palais Grand-Ducal on foot, symbolically marking the beginning of his new role in public view.
In 1961, Grand Duchess Charlotte appointed her son, Jean, as Lieutenant Répresentant, who served in this capacity until 1964, when Grand Duchess Charlotte formally abdicated, and Jean became Grand Duke.
In 1998, Grand Duke Jean, in turn, appointed his son, Henri, as Lieutenant Répresentant, who officially ascended to the throne when Jean abdicated in 2000.