Symbols, functions, palaces and important moments in the life of Grand Duke Henri

[msfroyste]

thanks for the interesting info and pics, drimal.

[drimal]

The state visit Part 2

Meticulous preparation

Often the Grand Ducal couple is accompanied with a group of 30 or 40 people of delegation members or other collaborators. One have to count to the inofficial accompany the Lord Chamberlain (German: Hofmarschall) whose office is mainly involved in the preparation of the journeys, and the foreign minister, who is also representing the government. Besides there are high posed officials, managers of economy, representatives of professional chambers, commercial associations and cultural instituations. Among the accompany is also a logistic stuff with i.a. members of news and information service (SIP) of the government.

Every Luxembourgish media want to inform with text, images or sound from the state visit of the sovereign. Around 15 to 20 journalists, cameramen and photographers from the Grand Duchy are making the company during a state visit in general. The journey to the the state visit, hotel and rationing, the transport from one place to another there are organized by the SIPs. A great help is coming from the ambassador of Luxembourg (if there is one in the respective country).
"We are aware of the great role of the medias by state visits", emphasizes SIP director Mil Jung, who is travelling in an official delegation too. In public the importance of a state visite is more present by the pictures of symbolical acts than the discussions among the sovereigns.

Comparing to other foreign medias the Luxembourgish news are on one hand more willing to compromise in the case of no entry in certain places but on the other hand also very demanding: "Foreign medias are looking mainly for the glamour. The Luxembourgish journalists want real, authentic and meaningful pictures." All the more considering the satisfaction of collaboration between the news and the SIP, the chief of the SIP is really pleased.

...

[gaggleofcrazypeople]

So the paparazzi in kind in Luxembourg?

[drimal]

State visit pictures of Grand Duke Jean and Grand Duchess Josephine-Charlotte II- The last state visit on 4.05.1999 in Japan
One of the most remarkable state visits of the late Grand Ducal couple was certainly the state visit in Japan 1999. The next pictures are witnesses of the last state visit in the reign of Grand Duke Jean and Grand Duchess Josephine-Charlotte.

1. the arriving with the playing of the national anthem
2. GD Josephine-Charlotte and Emperor Akihito of Japan . Both sovereign couples were good friends.
3. GD Josephine-Charlotte with crown Prince Naruhito and crown Princess
Masako of Japan
4. the Grand Ducal couple on an inauguration of an exhibition
5. the Grand Ducal couple, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan
6. and 7. dinner images
8. a real beautiful picture of Josephine Charlotte and Michiko
9. and 10. the gala at the end of the state visit

[gaggleofcrazypeople]

Awsome pics!

[drimal]

The State visit Part 3

Protocol in the focal point

A state visit had to be planed one, two years but at least a few months in advance. The hosting country proposes usually a framework which is worked out accurately. Every programm point has a symbolic meaning and has to be planed carefully. Which cities does the guest need to visit? A museum or a factory? Is there an exchange of official presents? Who is greeted by the several opportunities? Are contacts with the population planned? Nothing is left to chance, not even the colour of the wardrobe: the white colour for instance is a symbol of grief in some countries.

If the planing requires alot of time and care, a work group is traveling in the run-up of the state visit to discuss the last details. Among this group are members of the SIP, who checks possibilities for the medias and coordinates with the protocol.

"This can mean for example to delay a presenting to the Grand Duchess in a bigger room, so that all the photographs can photograph as a permanent record. Or, like during the State visit in Japan in 1999, to calculate the standing of the sun over the Fujisama mountain so that contre-jour photos aren't necessary", explaines SIP diector Jung.

"The biggest challenge is to show respect before the Grand Ducal couple and the protocol which is of course part of the culture of the visiting country but also fulfilling the wishes of the medias." A task which requires alot of care - especially in countries like Japan, where the protocol is very strict, discretion and politeness are crucial and the communication not easy at all.

If Luxembourg has diplomats on the place, they are of course informed of every step of the preparations. "These members have special works during state visits", praises SIP director Mil Jung the diplomats.

After all the guest should invite as a sign of thanks to a special event: to a gala dinner for example or to a cultural event. Not only there you have to be careful to respect the order of rank. Fortunately the rules for that are nowadays standards in the whole world.

"The order of rank is important in another programm point of the state visit. So it is the high guest- in the case of Luxembourg the Grand Duke- who welcomes the chief of parliament and the member of parliament of the hosting country and not the other way round. These talks such as one or two official dinners and several cultural, economical or touristical events are some of the stones from which the programm of a state visit is bulilt", explains ambassador Pierre-Louis Lorenz.

He can't remember any breakdowns: "In order to avoid breakdowns everything is planned exactly on real state visits. Every eventuality is previewed just as a second limousine which is ready for the case of the caes." Sudden changings in the programm aren't in the tradition of a state visit. "President Clinton wants to visit a Jazz concert all of a sudden, but European sovereigns are more discret."

... (to be continued)

[gaggleofcrazypeople]

It seems like it takes alot for these things to happen.

[Danielle]

Thank you drimal. Wow, so much happens 'behind the scenes' in regard to State Visits. The amount of work is quite extraordinary.

[msfroyste]

hmmmm, interesting info. thanks drimal. i had no idea that much and probably more goes on in planning and executing an official state visit.

[gaggleofcrazypeople]

And it seems rather pointless at times. All that work for a few days of good publicity.

[drimal]

The State Visit Part 4

Place for innovations

Apart all the symbolics and traditions there is still place for innovations. On the last visit of the Grand Ducal couple in Japan (1999) the extension of the economical relations had a special signifiance. For that there was a dinner with the Grand Duke and representatives of Japan's economy- something which was unusual a few years ago. This proves us that the official state visit, which had been called "Dinosaurs of the diplomacy" by a political observer, are moving with the time.
It is clear for the chief of protocol of the government that these official journeys have still an important meaning: "Even in the time of global electronical communications personal contacts are still of prime importance."


Note: This long report was published in a magazine before Grand Duke Henri's throne achievement. But no matter who is the reigning sovereign, whoever is the hosting country or visiting country the order of state or official visits are similar. It is always a big extravagance for only a few days. During these days both countries want to underline the good relationships and show eachother the most beautiful sides of their countries (a bit of glorification).

[gaggleofcrazypeople]

Thanks for the info!

[drimal]

State visit pictures of Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa- Czech Republic October 2002

1) official act of greeting
2) the Grand Ducal couple is greeted by Czech president Vaclav Havel and Miss Dagmar Havlova on the castle of Prague
3) visit of the foundation Vision 97
4) the president of Czech Republic Vaclav Havel and Luxembourg's foreign minister Lydie Polfer
5) the Czech president Vaclav Havel emphasized the good relationship between both countries
6) Luxembourg's delegation on the Charles bridge
7) the Grand Ducal couple of Luxembourg and foreign minister Lydie Polfer in the embassady of Luxembourg
8) Czech Republic's foreign minister Cyril Svoboda talking to Luxembourg's foreign minister
9) Grand Duc Henri and Lydie Polfer with Czech prime minister Vladimir Spidla
10)... and with the president of government Petr Pithart

[drimal]

11. ... and with the president of parliament Lubomir Zaoralek
12. Grand Duchess Maria Teresa visiting a home for disabled persons
13. Grand Duke Henri receiving a medal at the University of Prague
14. the Grand Ducal couple on jewish cemetery in the jewish district
15. the lay down of flowers on the tomb of church St. Thomas

[CarrieCooldge]

I am reading a book on Luxembourg by Emilie Lepthien. In it she goes into the history of Luxembourg and I found this interesting about what happened to one of Lux's symbols:

"Henry's son John succeeded and reigned for thirty years before losing his sight. When England invaded France, John came to the aid of his friend, Philip VI of France. Although he was blind, John asked to be led into the center of the battle. John the Blind was killed in the Battle of Crecy on August 26, 1346.

Edward III of England, the victorious Black Prince, said "The battle was not worth the death of this man." Edward III took the three ostrich feathers from John the Blind's helmet and adopted the prince of Luxembourg's motto, "I serve." The three feathers and the motto are still used by England's Prince of Wales and can be seen on his coat of arms."

[Julia]

Very interesting and informative! Thanks to everyone participating in this thread.

Quite interesting to learn that the current Prince of Wales' motto and coat of arms comes from Luxembourg!

[simplicity8318]

You can see the three feathers on the bottom left hand side.

Just to clarify, Ich Dien=I serve

[CarrieCooldge]

Besides the feathers and motto being on his coat of arms, they are famously known as the "Prince of Wales' Feathers".
Here is one representation with the feathers and motto.