Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg has announced that he will abdicate in favor of his son Guillaume, who will officially assume the throne starting next October.
The monarch, 69, made the shock announcement during what will now be considered his final annual Christmas broadcast, ending his 24-year reign.
Guillaume, 43, who had already assumed many of his father’s duties in recent months as lieutenant-representative, will formally assume his new title on October 3, 2025.
Harry’s abdication marks the second European monarch to abandon his reign this year.
His royal relative, Queen Margaret of Denmark, decided to renounce the throne after 52 years, making way for her son Frederick to take over as king on January 14.
During tonight’s broadcast, the outgoing Grand Duke declared himself “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, together with the Grand Duchess, to walk this path with you.”
Explaining that “the Grand Duke is above political parties and does not interfere in political debates,” he stated, “nothing prevents me from speaking when the fundamental interests of the country and its citizens are at stake.”
Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg has announced that he is abdicating in favor of his son Guillaume, who will officially take the throne next October.
The monarch, 69, made the shock announcement during what will now be considered his final annual Christmas broadcast, ending his 24-year reign.
Grand Duke Henri (second from left), with Grand Duchess Maria Theresa (left) and Guillaume (second from right) with his wife, Grand Duchess Stephanie of Luxembourg (right)
Grand Duke Henri will pass this new title to his 43-year-old son, Prince Guillaume, in October 2025 (pictured in 2022)
He continued: “This is what I have strived to do for the last 25 years, paying special attention from the beginning 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 that he would resign in June this year when he announced that his son would become a representative lieutenant.
After the announcement, the Grand Duke was very excited and kissed his son while the room applauded.
According to the official Palace website, “the appointment 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 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 thought about behind closed doors for some time.
“We have been talking about it for some time and I think that the national holiday was the right time, because the Grand Duke is the symbol of our nation,” he said.
Grand Duke Henry is the eldest son of the five children of Grand Duke John and Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte and ascended the throne. in 2000, after his father abdicated after a 36-year reign.
He is married to María Teresa Mestre, the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg. and the couple has 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 a French publication. The Free.
Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg is pictured with his son, Prince Guillaume, and grandson, Prince Charles, in 2020.
Different country, same story: King Frederick, Queen Mary and Queen Margaret of Denmark pictured in May: Frederick was named monarch after Queen Margaret of Denmark abdicated
‘All this is planned in family consultation. I think it’s very important to give young people a perspective.”
“There are plans, it will happen,” continued the Grand Duke.
Earlier this year, Queen Margaret of Denmark decided to renounce the throne after 52 years, making way for her son Frederick to take over as king on January 14.
In a statement revealing the news, the former Danish monarch said: “I have decided that now is the right time.”
‘On January 14, 2024, 52 years after following my beloved father, I will step back as Queen of Denmark. I leave the throne to my son, Crown Prince Frederick.