Luxembourg's Grand Duke to abdicate the throne today, passing the throne to his son after a quarter of a century
The small European nation of Luxembourg will have a new head of state by the end of today when its current ruler abdicates the throne.
Grand Duke Henri, 70, is stepping back after a 25-year reign, handing the crown to his son and beginning a new chapter for the monarchy, to be marked by three days of celebrations attended by royalty from across Europe.
In doing so, Luxembourg will become the latest country across the region to have a new couple at its core after recent changes in Denmark.
The future Grand Ducal couple of Luxembourg, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Crown Princess Stephanie. Maison du Grand-Duc / Christian Aschman
Grand Duke Henri will officially abdicate on Friday October 3, paving the way for his son's accession to the throne.
Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume – also known as Crown Prince – will succeed his father as Grand Duke. Guillaume will be Luxembourg's seventh grand duke since 1890, when the modern monarchy was established.
His wife, Crown Princess Stephanie, will become Grand Duchess Stephanie.
They will officially be known as the Grand Ducal couple.
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The late Pope Francis with (L-R) Grand Duke Henri, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, (back row) Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and his wife Crown Princess Stephanie and their sons Prince Charles and Prince Francois at the Grand Ducal Palace, in Luxembourg, September 26, 2024. AP
Guillaume, 43, and Stephanie, 41, have two young sons: Prince Charles, five, and Prince François, two.
New portraits of the future Grand Duke and Grand Duchess were recently released by the House of the Grand Duke in preparation for the change.
In them, Crown Princess Stephanie wears historic emeralds seen on previous Grand Duchesses throughout the generations, with links to the Belgian royal family. Stephanie was born in Belgium and also holds the aristocratic title of countess through her late parents, the Count and Countess de Lannoy.
Guillaume and Stephanie married on October 20, 2012, at the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Luxembourg in Luxembourg City.
Three days of celebrations
Celebrations will take place across three days, beginning with the formal handover of head of state duties from Grand Duke Henri to his son on Friday October 3.
The formal abdication of Grand Duke Henri will happen at 10am at the Grand Ducal Palace, in Luxembourg City, followed by Guillaume's swearing in at the Chamber of Deputies.
The family will then appear on the palace balcony in the capital just after noon, followed by a reception at City Hall.
The couple pictured on National Day in June. Getty
The new Grand Duke and Grand Duchess will then meet members of the public in the heart of Luxembourg City's historic centre.
They will then convene with members of the government.
The day will end with a formal gala dinner at the Grand Ducal Palace.
In a disappointing move for locals, the day will not be a public holiday.
Day two – Saturday October 4 – will see Grand Duke Guillaume and Grand Duchess Stephanie embark on a short tour of the country's four main regions: Grevenmacher, Wiltz, Steinfort and Dudelange to meet with various groups.
Grand Duke Henri and his wife Grand Duchess Maria Teresa pictured when the transfer of power began on October 8 last year. Getty
They'll then walk over Luxembourg City's famous Red Bridge, accompanied by a what the Grand Ducal House has called a "multicoloured ballet of trams". The night will end with a concert.
Sunday October 5 will see the new Grand Ducal family attend mass at Notre Dame Cathedral at 11am, bringing an end to the festivities.
Royals from across Europe to attend
The event is officially called 'Trounwiessel' meaning, literally, the change of throne.
King Philippe of Belgium – who is a cousin of the Grand Duke – will be there with his wife Queen Mathilde and their eldest child, and heir to the Belgian throne, Princess Elisabeth.
Willem-Alexander, King of the Netherlands, will be there with Queen Maxima along with their heir, Princess Catharina-Amalia.
No other royals are yet to confirm their attendance.
How life will change for the new Grand Ducal family
Once Guillaume is crowned Grand Duke, his son Prince Charles will be next in line to the throne – making the five-year-old the youngest heir to the throne in the world.
Grand Duke Henri announced that he would be abdicating during National Day celebrations on June 23 2025, without giving a precise date.
Guillaume and Stephanie with their two sons. Maison du Grand-Duc / Kary Barthelmey
The transfer of powers from father to son officially begun on October 8 last year, allowing Guillaume to carry out a number of the duties and responsibilities required of him once he formally accedes the throne.
When the Grand Duke signed the papers confirming Guillaume's new role as lieutenant-representative at the Grand Ducal palace, the heir spoke about how life would soon change for his young family.
Guillaume said he and Stephanie would try to plan additional royal duties and travel during school holidays and accept more daytime than evening engagements.
"I think it really can be done," Guillaume said on balancing family and state business.
But Stephanie's role would not change for the moment.
"She will continue with her priorities, of course art and culture," Guillaume said.
The couple married on October 20, 2012. Getty
"But she is also becoming increasingly involved in social issues, and I think she will develop other priorities and interests."
Luxembourg's constitution does not provide for a formal role of the spouse of the reigning head of state.
The future Grand Ducal family is currently funding the building of a new house on the grounds of the Grand Ducal castle in Colmar-Berg.
The new residence will allow the incoming monarch to separate private family life and official business, Guillaume said.
Following the abdication, Guillaume's father and mother will retire to the royal residence in Fischbach, as per tradition.
The monarchy in Luxembourg
Luxembourg is classified as a grand duchy, headed by a Grand Duke or Grand Duchess.
The modern state of Luxembourg was formed in 1815 and ruled by the King of the Netherlands.
Adolf of Nassau served as regent of Luxembourg for King William III of the Netherlands and when the male line of Orange-Nassau ended with William III's death in 1890, Adolf became Grand Duke of Luxembourg.
His descendants rule to this day.
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