The Grand Ducal Family of Luxembourg hosted the traditional New Year’s Reception at the Grand Ducal Palace in Luxembourg City on the evening of January 15th, for the final time before the Abdication of Grand Duke Henri later this year.
Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg were joined by Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie at the New Year’s Reception for members of the Government, the Bureau of the Chamber of Deputies, the Council of State, representatives of the Judiciary, Heads of the Administration and Foreign Ambassadors at the Grand Ducal Palace in Luxembourg City.
The Grand Ducal Couple and the Hereditary Couple thus received the President and members of the office of the Chamber of Deputies, members of the Government, members of the Council of State, senior representatives of the judiciary and the diplomatic corps accredited to the Head of State and representatives of European institutions.
Grand Duke Henri wore Uniform with the Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau. Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg wore the Belgian Scroll Tiara and the Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau.
Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie wore the Topaz Tiara and Parure with the Order of Adolphe of Nassau.
In October last year, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume was appointed the ‘Lieutenant Répresentant’ of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, which launched the transition process to the eventual Abdication of Grand Duke Henri
As you know, Prince Guillaume has been Lieutenant-Représentant since 8 October and is preparing intensively for his accession to the throne. And, in order to make this speech more exciting, I won’t tell you until the end when it will take place.
For most of my generation, the time has now come to retire. It’s a natural process that has its raison d’être. This also applies to me. On our last National Day, I announced the appointment of Prince Guillaume as Lieutenant-Représentant.
Today, the Grand Duchess and I are pleased to share with you that Prince Guillaume and Princess Stéphanie will succeed us on October the 3rd, 2025.
I know that they will do their utmost to contribute to the well-being of our country.
Together with the Grand Duchess, Prince Guillaume, Princess Stéphanie and all our children, I wish you a very Merry Christmas and all the best for the New Year.
Grand Duke Henri ascended the Throne when Grand Duke Jean abdicated in 2000.
