© Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue
Following in his big brother’s footsteps, Prince François of Luxembourg began his official agenda at seven months old.
On 25th October 2023, his first official engagement was carried out in his parents’ arms at the Elysis elderly home in Kirchberg, where he quickly became the delight of residents and staff members alike.
The home, which is designated to take care of old people who need constant assistance or whose families cannot guarantee adequate surveillance, has the peculiarity of offering art and music therapy, something that “has encountered a lot of success among participants,” says the Grand Ducal Court.
Such forms of therapy are one of Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie’s focuses, so it made sense that she took her youngest child with her – just as the couple did with their firstborn, Prince Charles, who began visiting nursing homes and facilities to help children and mothers at a very young age, following the lifting of health safety restrictions.
But his biggest debut happened five days later. On Monday, 30th October, Prince François accompanied Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie to the KlickKlack socio-Therapeutic Centre in Mersch.
The Centre is affiliated with SOS Kannerduerf, which specialises in welcoming children aged 6 to 12 facing difficulties in school. The Prince and Princess listened attentively as staff members explained that their treatments are individually tailored to meet the needs of each child under their care, and they are focused on starting a journey that will lead to scholar reintegration.
Here, as well, art and music therapy are seen as valuable tools to help children deal with their difficulties, and the sessions can be carried out individually or in groups. Staff members finally stressed the importance of involving parents and other family members in creating the specific therapy course.
The main moment, however, came when Prince François Court was inaugurated; the space was co-financed by the donations collected for the birth of the Hereditary Couple’s second child. The plaque was unveiled, and it showcases one of the most famous illustrations in the world: the fox and the Prince from Saint Exupéry’s “The Little Prince.”
These two events marked the official beginning of Prince François’s agenda, which, if his older brother’s path is an example, will be full of such events for the first few years of his life.
