The Waringo Investigation into the Functioning of the Luxembourg Court 2019/2020

[tommy100]

I've translated the report through google translate so the following may not be 100% accurate but the key parts about the turnover of staff:

Another central element in the life of an organization is undoubtedly the morale and motivation of the personnel that have an immediate impact on the performance and well-being of employees.If employees feel constantly exposed to pressures, real or felt, their behavior can change dramatically. These employees are more often sick, feel bad and are looking for a new job faster

From the first days of my presence at the Palace, I felt a certain anxiety among the collaborators,such as anxiety about being reprimanded or losing their job. I felt a certain fear of blame, without employees needed to express their feelings openly.There are unmistakable signs.

***
I noticed, rightly or wrongly, that in the exchanges and discussions between colleagues, joviality and humor are rare. Everyone is on guard and weighs their words.Another unmistakable sign is the high number of departures.Employees rarely leave their jobs for pure pleasure.

***
There must be a reason and if the atmosphere is good employees find it difficult to leave their jobs.Another sign for me is internal communication which, from what I could see and hear, is almost non-existent. Administrative managers rarely communicate internally which explains that staff are hardly informed about developments within the Court.I quickly noticed that the problems are not put on the table to be discussed calmly

***
According to the concordant information that I was able to collect, during my mission, from very many former and current collaborators of the Court, the most important decisions in the field of personnel management, whether in terms of recruitment, assignment to the various departments or even at the dismissal level are taken by HRH the Grand Duchess.

***
In at least 2 cases where I wanted to make my contribution to find a solution, I clearly felt the presence of HRH the Grand Duchess in the functioning of the Court


***

Our Constitution does not provide for official functions for the wife of the Grand Duke. Therefore, it is theGrand Duke, Head of State, who should appear alone in the organization chart of the Court.

***

 

[tommy100]

***
Based on the information that I was able to obtain during my numerous court interviews, the Service communication and the Palace IT department are in charge of managing 2 websites, in the occurrence the site "monarchie.lu" and the site "grande-duchesse.lu".

According to the information communicated to me during my interviews, the priority was granted in recent years to the "Grand Duchess" site, which is hosted by the CTIE and which is currently already managed by "modern" software that allows users to manage, publish and organize every easily the content of this website.

According to the heads of the Court's IT department, the “monarchie.lu” site is managed by software that is no longer suited to current needs and requirements. This site is however the official site of the Monarchy. It visibly presents a dilapidated look while the private site "Grande-Duchesse" presents a decidedly more modern look


Next to these 2 sites, the question arises - I did not have a clear answer - if the 2 services are also in charge - at least in part - of the management of the "standspeakriseup.lu" and "fondation.lu" websites.

***

 

[tommy100]

This part really confused me, I'm not sure but is it saying that Waringo received interventions on his work from a law firm on behalf of the Grand Duchess?

My willingness to contribute to this project was however shaken by the sudden intervention of a law firm who was mandated by the Administration of goods of HRH the Grand Duke to respond to a letter I had addressed at the beginning of November to the Marshal of the Court. In this letter I asked for information in order to be able to submit to the Prime Minister my opinion on a proposal to recruit anew collaborator for the secretariat of HRH the Grand Duchess.The position of the law firm also persists in being the only answer I had to my information request. So far I do not know the nature and the scope of the mission which has been entrusted to this law firm. I must say very clearly that I felt, rightly or wrongly, the appearance of this office as a turning point in my way of conceiving my collaboration with the officials of the Grand-Ducal Court.From that moment on, I could no longer leave the impression that my presence was felt as a disturbing element and not as an aid for the reform of our Monarchy

 

[Muhler]

It starts with a comparison with a few other monarchies (Belgium, Netherlands, Sweden). If there is anything to review, then it is the monarchy of "Les Pays-Bas" which seems dwarfing the other listed monarchies in costs and personnel (or the Dutch are just the most open and transparant). If I was opposing the Dutch monarchy, the Waringo Report is feed to fire gunshots to it.

I am still reading in the preface, building up to the conclusions. Still at office now.

Most important conclusions:

1.
The most decisions in recruiting, transfering, commissioning and decommissioning of staff were more and more taken by HRH The Grand-Duchess in own person. Jeannot Waringo thought that this grip of the Grand-Duchess on HRM affairs could be 'problematic'.

2.
There is an insufficient organogram of the Court Organization, leading to confusion of roles, responsibilities and accountabilities within the Court. This contributed to a "not positive" atmosphere at the Court and to lots of movement of staff (relatively a lot of decommissions).

3.
The recommendation is to professionalise the Human Resources Management and let it be done by professionals indeed: "There are a lot of pieces for a puzzle, but there is no puzzle at the moment".

4.
Jeannot Waringo recommends a greater transparency in the finances of the Court.

5.
The advice is to establish a legal entity called "The Grand-Ducal House" to separate it more clearly from the private persons of the grand-ducal family (I am most surprised this has not been done many decades ago!).

So to "translate" the points:

1) Mismanagement. In particular by the Grand Duchess. More than hinting incompetence.

2) No one knows what to do and who is in charge, let alone responsible for what. I.e. there is no defined leadership on a day to day basis.

3) It's total chaos! A professional management is urgently needed.

4) Accountance is a chaos as well!

5) Staff is being used privately as well as at the court, regardless of who they were employed by or under what terms. Result: See items 2 & 4.

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

So to "translate" the points:

1) Mismanagement. In particular by the Grand Duchess. More than hinting incompetence.

2) No one knows what to do and who is in charge, let alone responsible for what. I.e. there is no defined leadership on a day to day basis.

3) It's total chaos! A professional management is urgently needed.

4) Accountance is a chaos as well!

5) Staff is being used privately as well as at the court, regardless of who they were employed by or under what terms. Result: See items 2 & 4.

That sounds like the Household under Queen Juliana (bigger than the big one under King WA now, mind you) which was openly described as "een lieflijke chaos" ("a lovely chaos"). The difference with the Luxembourg situation was that Queen Beatrix did not take the reins herself (like Grand-Duchess María Teresa) but hired professionals to reorganize the Household to the Danish model.

But one can never do it well: even Queen Beatrix was criticized for acting too much alike a demanding CEO of the Firm instead of the lovely, warm, approachable and emapthic "boss" Juliana was (with all extremes, like keeping disfunctional staff because "it would be too hard for their family to fire them"... This laissez-faire laissez-passer attitude by Queen Juliana made the staff slack and improductive). In the end she had to fund the bloated Household with own private resources because the State Budget was no longer sufficient...

All by all, in such a small Household like in Luxembourg, one only needs a few unlucky appointments to create mistrust, dissatisfaction, frustration. But the good news: in such a small Household things can improve fast with a few strategic changes. All by all a great opportunity for a good reorganisation, benefitting the future Grand-Duke Guillaume, who can make a good start with a well-functioning House.

 

[Florine90]

That sounds like the Household under Queen Juliana (bigger than the big one under King WA now, mind you) which was openly described as "een lieflijke chaos" ("a lovely chaos"). The difference with the Luxembourg situation was that Queen Beatrix did not take the reins herself (like Grand-Duchess María Teresa) but hired professionals to reorganize the Household to the Danish model.

But one can never do it well: even Queen Beatrix was criticized for acting too much alike a demanding CEO of the Firm instead of the lovely, warm, approachable and emapthic "boss" Juliana was (with all extremes, like keeping disfunctional staff because "it would be too hard for their family to fire them"... This laissez-faire laissez-passer attitude by Queen Juliana made the staff slack and improductive). In the end she had to fund the bloated Household with own private resources because the State Budget was no longer sufficient...

Juliana's situation was very different. She had to deal with post-occupation chaos after WW2 and an unfaithful, corrupt husband who not only fathered two illegitimate children during their marriage but also caused damage to the Dutch monarchy. Effectively she had to keep loyal staff members on board (even if they weren't doing their jobs) to ensure that the dirt did not leave the palace as it happened. She's often remembered as a naive mother figure but that image does not do her justice at all.


With Maria Teresa it seems that she's a charismatic whirlwind, very pragmatic and dominant. These can be great qualities. But also very toxic if there is no counter-weight in terms of reflection and consideration of other people's opinions. Especially in a professional environment

I find it very concerning that her husband and adult children never really stood up to her behaviour. It seems to have very deep roots. In my option the grand duchess needs to keep a low profile from now on and I hope that Guillaume and Stephanie will be heavily involved in the recommended reform of their household. It's a good opportunity for them to start shaping their future roles.

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

Juliana's situation was very different. She had to deal with post-occupation chaos after WW2 and an unfaithful, corrupt husband who not only fathered two illegitimate children during their marriage but also caused damage to the Dutch monarchy. Effectively she had to keep loyal staff members on board (even if they weren't doing their jobs) to ensure that the dirt did not leave the palace as it happened. She's often remembered as a naive mother figure but that image does not do her justice at all.


With Maria Teresa it seems that she's a charismatic whirlwind, very pragmatic and dominant. These can be great qualities. But also very toxic if there is no counter-weight in terms of reflection and consideration of other people's opinions. Especially in a professional environment

I find it very concerning that her husband and adult children never really stood up to her behaviour. It seems to have very deep roots.

I respectfully disagree. The marriage problems of the Queen were a league of their own and had nothing to do with management. It already started with the choice of the Queen to reside in Soestdijk Palace, essentially a remote summer residence in a tranquil area, instead of holding Court in the Residence (The Hague).

There is a verb in Dutch and English saying: "While the cat's away, the mice will play." And that is what happened: the Queen was at Soestdijk, with a handful of staff. The bulk of the Household (some 400 staff directly and some 400 more indirectly) was at Noordeinde Palace, Huis ten Bosch Palace, at the House Lange Voorhout (the Queen's secretariate), at Het Loo Palace, at the Royal Palace Amsterdam, at the Royal Mews, at the Royal House Archives, at the Royal Forestry, at the Royal Hunting Department, at the Queen's Cabinet, etc. and there was no supervision in sight. The managers had to travel to Soestdijk Palace to have meetings with the Queen.

The boss was litterally out of town, from 1948 until 1980. Functionaries, functioning or disfunctioning, could stay for decades and slowly create little kingdoms inside the Household organization.

It did not help that Soestdijk Palace was both a private house (with all marital complexities) as well an office to the Queen. Any possible functional organogram could be thrown out of the house, when a princely (grand-)child on a threewheeler chases a dog in the marble hallways of your "office".

The difference with Grand-Duchess María Teresa however is that Queen Juliana was constitutionally the one in charge of her House. Grand-Duchess María Teresa was (and is) "nothing" and in fact took authority without the Grand-Duke or Prime Minister Bettel and his predecessor Prime Minister Juncker interfering.

 

[Addapalla]

The difference with Grand-Duchess María Teresa however is that Queen Juliana was constitutionally the one in charge of her House. Grand-Duchess María Teresa was (and is) "nothing" and in fact took authority without the Grand-Duke or Prime Minister Bettel and his predecessor Prime Minister Juncker interfering.

In earlier times, MT might at this point have been packed off to comfortable retirement in a nice out-of-the-way convent in the Ardennes.

 

[maria-olivia]

I lived in Luxembourg from 1972 and 1978 and have many friends there.
I may say that Grand Duchess Charlotte and Grand Duke Jean were really loved.
During more than 100 years their was love between the Grand Ducal family and the People of Luxembourg.
It was not always easy :
1) Grand Duchess Charlotte's Husband Prince Felix was during some time a Casino player. The Grand Duchess sold Wood and until the end of her life the Grand Duchess took care of him.

2) The Grand Ducal family did not agree the Wedding of Prince Charles with the Divorcee Joan Dillon, but at the end they accepted . They had a private Wedding and 2 Children were born.

3) For the First time , the Hed Grand Duke Henri married a communor. Grand Duchess Charlotte was not that happy. But they had an official Wedding in he Cathedral.
Later Princess Marie Astrid married Archduke Christian of Habsbourg. The Grand Duchess Charlotte in the Church was sittting next to her Sister in Law Empress Zita .
A few months later Princess Margeretha married a Prince of Liechtenstein.
Prince Guillaume married Sybille Weiler , whose grand Father was a friend of the Grand Duchess.

4) Prince Jan Junior 's Wedding was a Problem. He already had with Hélène Vestur a daughter. They decided to marry privately and divorced.Prince jean renounced to his rights.

5) Henri became Grand Duke and during his Oath he forgot a sentence.

The press was surprised, they were asked to come to the Grand Ducal Palace . It was an unbelievable Shock because they heard Maria Teresa complaining without any respect against Grand Duchess Josephine Charlotte and Henri agreed , he was her SON. The Affair should have remain private !

6) Selling jewels from the late Grand Duchess which main of them were presents, make people of Luxembourg so angry that the Auction was cancelled.

7) Grand Duchess Maria Teresa was never popular , when she gives an interview it is a mix of the language of Luxembourg with French. She is the Boss of the Family , the story is known.

My conclusion such attitude against the Grand Ducal family should never have happen when the late Grand Duke was alive.

The relationship between the Grand Ducal family and their people will never be as before. There is no respect anymore..
All my hopes are for the Heditary Granddukes and their Child to come.
May the Wilhelmus be sing again peacefully as before !

 

[Florine90]

I respectfully disagree. The marriage problems of the Queen were a league of their own and had nothing to do with management. It already started with the choice of the Queen to reside in Soestdijk Palace, essentially a remote summer residence in a tranquil area, instead of holding Court in the Residence (The Hague).

Well yes, it would have been better to be in The Hague but the living quarters at Noordeinde were too small for a family of 6. And Huis ten Bosch was seriously outdated as it hadn't been used as a long-term living palace since the passing of queen Sophie in 1877. Both Beatrix and (very recently) king Willem-Alexander later required huge investments to modernise Huis ten Bosch but the aftermath of WW2 was obviously not the time for that. Another option would have been Het Loo palace, where Wilhelmina lived, but that would have been even further out. At least Soestdijk was in the centre of the country.

Also, since Bernhard was always travelling I guess Juliana wanted to be sure that her daughters had at least 1 parent around on a daily basis. In fact, I see similarities between Bernhard and grand duchess Maria Teresa. Both had difficulties being the spouse and not the actual head of state. Bernhard leaked his frustrations to the press and Maria Teresa vented hers to the household staff.

 

[Florine90]

My conclusion such attitude against the Grand Ducal family should never have happen when the late Grand Duke was alive.

That is such an interesting observation . I guess you are right - it seems Grand Duke Jean really was a binding factor, even long after his retirement.

 

[Prisma]

"There are people at the Cour who have credibly declared that they have been beaten in the face."

https://twitter.com/x/status/1224041050496552962

https://twitter.com/x/status/1223940597142183936

Tageblatt Editorial / Wusste Henri nichts oder hat er weggeschaut? (Did Henri not know anything or did he look away?)
- Refutes accusations in Grand Duke Henri's letter that media attacked Maria Teresa because she is a woman.
- "so-called court reporter Stéphane Bern" denigrated Luxembourg press and points out Bern sits on the Board of Directors of Grand Duchess Maria Teresa's "Stand Speak Rise Up!" asbl
- Notes that a few days before the Waringo report was published, Paris Match devoted 4 pages to Grand Duchess Maria Teresa. Match journalist Flore Olive spoke to several (carefully selected) employees. No criticism of MT.
- Grand Duchess Maria Teresa's activism is unrelated to the allegations.
- Grand Duchess Maria Teresa declined at least 2 interview requests from Luxembourgish media. Tageblatt's request is still pending.

Lëtzebuerger Land's January 17 article is available now: Schweigegelübde am Hof (Google translation)

RTL - Chronologie: E kritesche Bléck op 20 Joer Herrschaft vum Grand-Duc Henri (Chronology: A Critical Look at 20 Years of Grand Duke Henri)
2001-2002: Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa opened parliament. Although the Grand Duke is authorized to open the Chamber session, the task is normally delegated to the Prime Minister.

2002: Grand Duchess Maria Teresa held a press conference with 15 editors, complaining about her mother-in-law Grand Duchess Josephine-Charlotte

2005: "Grand Duke Henri" mentioned in the SREL-Affair. Due to rumors spread by electronics expert Mariotto, Grand Duke Henri and PM Jean-Claude Juncker were questioned about the Bommeleeër Affair.

2006: Auction of Grand Duchess Josephine-Charlotte's jewelry. (Cancelled but quietly sold later)

2007: The GD couple wanted to sell the last remaining of the privately owned Gréngewald.

2008: Grand Duke Henri refusing to sign the euthanasia law.

2014: January auction of Grand Duchess Josephine-Charlotte furniture and some jewelry. In July, a 14-year employee was dismissed. A tailor by training, she was responsible for the Grand Duchess' wardrobe. The woman complained of bullying and intended to release a book.

2015: Court Marshal Pierre Bley resigned in September after ~2 years. With his resignation, the staff carousel at the Cour began - Court Marshal, Premiere Councilor, Secretary-General, and those in communication service.

October 2015: Cour reorganization. Grand Duke’s cabinet was created, headed by Michel Heintz. Grand Duchess received a staff, headed by Guy Schmit.

March 2016: Another former employee filed a complaint of bullying. In an interview with AFP, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa insisted on going to court instead of settling with taxpayer money. (Settled quietly later)

June 2016: Satire newspaper reports discussions between Grand Duke Henri and government officials (Félix Braz, Etienne Schneider, and Xavier Bettel) about staff policy at the Cour.

June 2016: Grand Duchess Maria's absence at the Romanian state visit. Allegedly MT left for Switzerland because she was upset Chantal Selva was terminated and refused a medal for National Day. (Ms. Selva was discovered to have a criminal record)

November 2017: Grand Duchess Maria Teresa did not go to Japan state visit. This was official as because of her fear of flying. Princess Alexandra stepped in.

2018: Grand Duke Henri and Prince Sébastian went kite surfing in Dakhla, a disputed territory in Western Sahara.

2019: GD Maria Teresa did not attend the funeral of HGD Stephanie's father Count Philippe de Lannoy. Instead, she attended an award ceremony with Stéphane Bern in Paris.

July 2019: Dispute between Astrid Lulling and GD Maria Teresa. Apparently, Lulling didn't want to make certain statements. FNFL (Federation of CSV Politicians) is excluded from National Women's Council.

August 2019: Jeannot Waringo is appointed to investigate the finances and running of the Cour.

October 2019: Due to knee surgery, GD Maria Teresa has limited participation in the Belgian state visit.

January 2020: Lëtzebuerger Land's January 17 article and Waringo report are published

 

[Moonmaiden23]

Household employees "beaten in the face"??!

Please let that be an exaggeration. Or a rumor.

Just... no.

 

[Blog Real]

There is a mistake there, Princess Alexandra did not participate in Belgium's state visit to Luxembourg.

 

[Prisma]

There is a mistake there, Princess Alexandra did not participate in Belgium's state visit to Luxembourg.

Thanks! I've corrected my post although it's still on the RTL report.

 

[Alisa]

There have been murmurings for years. All of this coming out all at once does not paint the Grand Duchess in a favorable light.

I suppose we will see more of the Hereditary couple being played up to counter all the negative press the Grand Ducal couple will be receiving.

 

[maria-olivia]

Who paid the Event "Stand , Speek , Rise Up " ?

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

Household employees "beaten in the face"??!

Please let that be an exaggeration. Or a rumor.

Just... no.

I do not believe for a moment that a Grande-Duchesse de Luxembourg, Duchesse de Nassau, Princesse de Bourbon de Parme would beat an employee in the face, and that then there is no follow-up (official complaint etc).

Unless said employee did something unforgiveable like hitting one of her children, seducing her husband, betraying her trust, but even then I expect a Madame de Luxembourg de Nassau de Bourbon de Parme to keep her distance.

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

Who paid the Event "Stand , Speek , Rise Up " ?

That was one of the complexities: staff in the grand-ducal service used outside the grand-ducal service. Then functionaries, paid for by the state, under authority of the maréchalat, working for the benefit of third parties (like the Grand-Duchess' projects).

Jeannot Waringo advises to create a separate Grand-Ducal House, to make more distance between working for Mr and Mrs de Nassau as private person or working for the Head of State as public person.

 

[Blog Real]

I do not believe for a moment that a Grande-Duchesse de Luxembourg, Duchesse de Nassau, Princesse de Bourbon de Parme would beat an employee in the face, and that then there is no follow-up (official complaint etc).

Unless said employee did something unforgiveable like hitting one of her children, seducing her husband, betraying her trust, but even then I expect a Madame de Luxembourg de Nassau de Bourbon de Parme to keep her distance.

I also do not believe that the Grand Duchess would physically assault an employee. It almost certainly did not happen and if it had happened there would have been a complaint to the authorities for sure.

 

[Bamboleio]

I think that these people who claim to have been abused , have documented the alleged abuse.I don’t see any reason why they would make such accusations, if they didn’t have enough evidence to support their claim

 

[maria-olivia]

When is their first Public Event ?

 

[LadyFinn]

When is their first Public Event ?

Grand duke Henri has two work events tomorrow.

 

[tommy100]

I think claims of physical altercations are far fetched, I can't imagine the staff would sit back and allow that to happen and I can't imagine even MT loosing her temper that much.

Part of me feels a bit sad that MT has potentially bot been helped by the lack of systems and formal procedures in place in the Cour, though tbh I think she likes doing her own thing.

It's sad its comes to this and sad that, with so many rumours and the official report acknowledging unhappiness by staff, that there seems to be some element of truth to the reports.

Its interesting, but not surprising, that the media are focussing on the parts about MT when much more of the report is given over to the finances and their reforms.

 

[Moonmaiden23]

My understanding from another source is that the employees who suffered physical abuse were quietly paid off, like the seamstress who was going to write a book.

And the hush money came from Government funds which is part of the reason this inquest/inquiry was launched.

For the longest time I have had MT on the highest of Royal pedestals. I started to reassess my opinion of her when she left the country in a snit rather than host the Romanian state visit due to some disagreement with the Prime Minister.

This is just very disturbing and disappointing.

 

[An Ard Ri]

I have a feeling that this is not going to go away any time soon,rather worrying for the image of the Grand Duchess.

 

[kbk]

If that's true, about physical abuse towards employees, I think this should be the end of public life for the Grand Duchess. I understand those employees were paid and they won't claim anything from the GD nor the court. However, this doesn't mean it did not happen! In fact, those allegations are so heavy it's unbelievable that they could be made up.
The government and the Luxembourgers should not tolerate this.
What a monster she seems to be.

And Duc et Pair, do you really believe that titles define a man and his or her character? What's the point in naming all her grandiose styles and titles here in the post? You should've add Her Royal Highness or maybe even Most hight and mighty princess, lady ... etc etc. That would do. We wouldn't believe she could behave like this.

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

[...]

And Duc et Pair, do you really believe that titles define a man and his or her character? What's the point in naming all her grandiose styles and titles here in the post? You should've add Her Royal Highness or maybe even Most hight and mighty princess, lady ... etc etc. That would do. We wouldn't believe she could behave like this.

The point is that she is Her Royal Highness The Grand-Duchess, 24 hours a day. I expect no employer to hit staff. But certainly not someone in a position like María Teresa. Exactly her royal position should have made her realize: I am the Grand-Duchess. Always. And ever. I keep my composure.

Hitting a member of staff is a show of weakness. And the Grand-Duchess knows: "One whisper in my husband's ear, and that person is out of the Household." If there is anyone in Luxembourg who does not need to be physical, then it is exactly the Grand-Duchess. That is why I find it hard to believe it.

 

[kbk]

Ok, I see your point.
But maybe she just can't control herself? Anyway, it's unforgivable for anyone and as for the Grand Duchess, this should mark her end of privileges.
And for the Grand Duke, oh boy... He let this happen. That's it.

 

[Moonmaiden23]

The point is that she is Her Royal Highness The Grand-Duchess, 24 hours a day. I expect no employer to hit staff. But certainly not someone in a position like María Teresa. Exactly her royal position should have made her realize: I am the Grand-Duchess. Always. And ever. I keep my composure.

Hitting a member of staff is a show of weakness. And the Grand-Duchess knows: "One whisper in my husband's ear, and that person is out of the Household." If there is anyone in Luxembourg who does not need to be physical, then it is exactly the Grand-Duchess. That is why I find it hard to believe it.

What you say is correct Duc...but when MT summoned a bunch of journalists to lunch to whinge and complain about her mother-in-law, HRH Madame la Grande Duchesse wasn't exactly keeping her composure OR remembering her dignity and her position.

The big riddle in all this is/was her husband. He did not object to the Mama Is a Big Bad Wolf luncheon. He must have known how awful it appeared..

Who has been running the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg for the past 20 years.