Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg has announced he is abdicating in favour of his son Guillaume, who will officially take the throne from next October.
The reigning monarch, aged 69, surprised everyone by announcing his retirement during what has now become known as his final annual Christmas broadcast, concluding his 24-year reign.
At 43, Guillaume had already been shouldering many of his father’s responsibilities as Lieutenant-Representant in recent months. He is scheduled to officially assume his new role on October 3, 2025.
Henri’s abdication marks the second European monarch to step down from their reign this year.
Following a reign of 52 years, Queen Margrethe of Denmark made the decision to step down from the throne, paving the way for her son Frederik to ascend as King on January 14.
During tonight’s broadcast, the outgoing Grand Duke said he was ‘proud’ to have served his country for a quarter of a century.
He said: ‘It has been a period during which Luxembourg has undergone great changes, and I am proud to have been able to, together with the Grand Duchess, walk this path with you.’
While explaining that ‘the Grand Duke is above political parties and does not interfere in political debates,’ he said, ‘nothing prevents me from speaking out when the fundamental interests of the country and its citizens are at stake.’
He continued: ‘This is what I have strived to do over the past 25 years, paying particular attention from the outset to the diversity of our population, the need for coexistence, and sustainability in all areas of our society, so that we can leave our children a healthier country.’
Henri had hinted at stepping down in June this year when he announced his son would become Lieutenant-Representant.
After the announcement, the Grand Duke appeared very moved and kissed his son whilst the room applauded.
According to the official Palace website, ‘designation of the Lieutenant-Representative traditionally occurs in the process of change of reign’.
‘This is the beginning of a next chapter for our monarchy,’ Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Luc Frieden told local media at the time.
While the move over the summer on the country’s National Day came as a shock to the public, Frieden said it had been mulled behind closed doors for a while.
‘We have been talking about it for some time, and I think that on the national holiday it was the right moment, because the Grand Duke is the symbol of our nation,’ he said.
Grand Duke Henri is the eldest son of the five children of Grand Duke Jean and Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte and took to the throne in 2000, after his father abdicated following a 36-year reign.
He is married to Maria Teresa Mestre, the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg. and the pair have five children together; Prince Guillaume, Princess Alexandra, Prince Louis, Prince Félix and Prince Sébastien.
He turned 69 in April and admitted that he ‘intends to retire at some point’ in an interview with French publication La Libre.
‘All this is planned in family consultation. I find that it is very important to give young people a perspective.’
‘There are plans, it will happen,’ the Grand Duke continued.
Earlier this year, Queen Margrethe of Denmark decided to give up the throne after 52 years, making way for her son Frederik to take over as King on 14 January.
In a statement revealing the news, the former Danish monarch said: ‘I have decided that now is the right time.
‘The 14th January 2024 – 52 years after I followed my beloved father – I will step back as the Queen of Denmark. I leave the throne to my son the Crown Prince Frederik.’
