President Sergio Mattarella of Italy and his daughter, Laura Mattarella, were welcomed by Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa in an Official Welcome Ceremony outside the Grand Ducal Palace, followed by an exchange of Official Gifts.
This banquet is an opportunity to celebrate the historic friendship between Italy and Luxembourg. In his speech, the Grand Duke recalled the leading role played by Italians in the 18th and 19th centuries in the economic development of the Grand Duchy thanks to the steel industry. Today, Italian involvement has successfully diversified into many areas, notably finance, construction, and space.
