GD Henri Appoints his Son Guillaume as Lieutenant Representant, 8 Oct. 2024

[Somebody]

Pretty sure he won’t abdicate before that. Personally, I’d hope that he fully hand over shortly after that (maybe even a day later now Guillaume is appointed on the 8th?). One year in the role seems enough practice to officially take it on.

 

[Blog Real]

The ceremony will take place on the afternoon of Tuesday, October 8, 2024. The signing of the Grand Ducal Decree of appointment by Grand Duke Henri will take place at the Grand Ducal Palace. This will be followed by the inauguration of the Hereditary Grand Duke before the Chamber of Deputies, as provided for in the Constitution.

The official program was revealed:

Programme - 8 octobre 2024 | Le Prince Guillaume, Lieutenant-Représentant du Grand-Duc | Cour grand-ducale

Site officiel de la famille grand-ducale luxembourgeoise, le rôle de Chef de l'Etat du Grand-Duc.

monarchie.lu

 

[Toledo]

Grand Duke Jean abdicated 7 October 2000 and hopefully Grand Duc Henri will wait until after his Silver Jubilee.

Agreed, he needs to wait for that 25-year mark and celebrate his years of service to his country, and one day his son will do the same and retire in good health too.

 

[Somebody]

Does anyone have pictures of Henri's appointment as lieutenant-representative? I do recall pictures of his ascension to the throne but not of this moment.

 

[iceflower]

Does anyone have pictures of Henri's appointment as lieutenant-representative? I do recall pictures of his ascension to the throne but not of this moment.

Here are some photos of the ceremony on March 4, 1998


** gettyimages gallery **


Update October 3: Photos of that day and of Jean's ceremony on May 4, 1961 have also been officially released today:

Archives grand-ducales - Cérémonies de lieutenance | Cour grand-ducale

Site officiel de la famille grand-ducale luxembourgeoise, le rôle de Chef de l'Etat du Grand-Duc.

monarchie.lu

 

[iceflower]

Prior to today's ceremony Grand Duke Henri and Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume talked about the impact of the appointment and their respective futures in an interview with two journalists:

Cour grand-ducale Luxembourg on Instagram: "#PodcastGrandDucal - 🕐 An e puer Stonne gëtt den Ierfgroussherzog zum Lieutenant-Representant vum Grand-Duc ernannt. An engem exklusive Podcast vu 47 Minutte schwätzen de Grand-Duc an den Ierfgroussherzog m

1,086 likes, 21 comments - courgrandducale on October 7, 2024: "#PodcastGrandDucal - 🕐 An e puer Stonne gëtt den Ierfgroussherzog zum Lieutenant-Representant vum Grand-Duc ernannt. An engem exklusive Podcast vu 47 Minutte schwätzen de Grand-Duc an den Ierfgroussherzog mat de Journaliste Claude...

www.instagram.com

Lieutenant-Représentant | Podcast exclusif | Cour grand-ducale

Site officiel de la famille grand-ducale luxembourgeoise, le rôle de Chef de l'Etat du Grand-Duc.

monarchie.lu

And today's schedule and live links has been shared again:

Retransmission - Cérémonie de Lieutenance | Mardi 8 octobre - 15h00 | Cour grand-ducale

Site officiel de la famille grand-ducale luxembourgeoise, le rôle de Chef de l'Etat du Grand-Duc.

monarchie.lu

Live links with photos and videos:

https://www.wort.lu/politik/liveticker-prinz-guillaume-wird-als-lieutenant-representant-vereidigt/22499935.html

Suivéiert d'Assermentatioun am Stream a Liveticker: "D'Lieutenance déi haut ufänkt ass e staarkt Zeeche vu Vertrauen"

www.rtl.lu

 

[Blog Real]

Live broadcast:

 

[Minister of Court]

Sad day!

Has it been specified which duties Henri delegates to his son?

 

[Adda]

There it is!

https://twitter.com/x/status/1843640154331959320

https://twitter.com/x/status/1843638771876802921

After signing the document

https://twitter.com/x/status/1843642500222988708

Swearing-in of Crown Prince Guillaume

https://twitter.com/x/status/1843647279967940980

Greeting the crowd outside

https://twitter.com/x/status/1843649913793765825

 

[Marengo]

A simple but dignified ceremony,in the palace. The hereditary Grand Duchess and the Grand Duchess herself both look radiant and proud of their husband/son.

I hadn't realised Luxembourg changed Prime Minister. Xavier Bettel was replaced by a man named Luc Frieden of the Christian Democrat party. Considering he was singing the praises of the GD and his wife, it feels more credible than when Bettel had to do that.

Guillaume himself has an unfortunate appearance but he seems goodhearted, calm and warm which is of course more important. His wife seems steady and collected and with their two sons they seem to make the happiest of families.
GD Henri looks so much like his mother btw and like his father has the appearance of the perfect gentleman.

It seems that of Guillaume's siblings only Prince Louis was there.

 

[Moonmaiden23]

Guillaume was once one of the most handsome young princes in Europe. He is no longer 25, but a little physical fine tuning would go a long way, I agree.

Meanwhile he seems gentle, hard working and utterly devoted to his tiny country. He speaks the Luxembourgish dialect flawlessly-the same can't be said of his parents.

His integrity has so far been beyond reproach.

Luxembourg is very fortunate to have Guillaume imho.

 

[Adda]

Guillaume was once one of the most handsome young princes in Europe. He is no longer 25, but a little physical fine tuning would go a long way, I agree.

Meanwhile he seems gentle, hard working and utterly devoted to his tiny country. He speaks the Luxembourgish dialect flawlessly-the same can't be said of his parents.

His integrity has so far been beyond reproach.

Luxembourg is very fortunate to have Guillaume imho.

Couldn't agree more, what a wonderful new regent couple the country has.

 

[Hans-Rickard]

Personally i don’t find anything wrong with his appearance… Gulliaume clearly has his fathers calm, stable and likable personality, while he may look a big more like his mother… I find it rather reassuring that you don’t have to look like an athlete or like a vogue model to be a successful and beloved royal…

He seems to be more mature and more prepared than many of his counterparts was in his age… Henri and M-T has done a good job in preparing him and making sure all will be well in the future…

 

[Marengo]

Perhaps it is more the contrast with his father, who simply looks the part perfectly. But as somebody raised in the 80s and 90s my own image of what a monarch should look like may be highly influenced by the ascetic appearance of his uncle, the late King Baudouin.
There is indeed nothing wrong with Guillaume and I am sure he and his wife will manage to to a good job and be respected and liked. And the visible great joy he and his wife have with their two sons is wonderful to see.

 

[Moonmaiden23]

Speaking of the children, can we hope for a balcony appearance later from the family including the two adorable baby princes?

 

[royaljul73]

Speaking of the children, can we hope for a balcony appearance later from the family including the two adorable baby princes?

That would make my day!

 

[victor1319]

I just did read in Bunte online about it and here in the Royal Forums the same tenor is to find: Grand Duke Henri might abdicate very soon...

But why? The Grand Duke looks very fit, very!

Personally I like the circumstances in the Principality of Liechtenstein: The Prince is still the boss, but the Crown Prince does the day-to-day business.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

Does anybody know what was discussed in the podcast?

The Grand-Ducal Decree:

Legilux

legilux.public.lu

Has it been specified which duties Henri delegates to his son?

He is delegating all of his constitutional powers to his son, per the decree and Article 58 of the Constitution. In other words, Guillaume is now the regent of Luxembourg, just as Alois is of Liechtenstein.

Legilux

legilux.public.lu

 

[hereditarytitles]

I just did read in Bunte online about it and here in the Royal Forums the same tenor is to find: Grand Duke Henri might abdicate very soon...

But why? The Grand Duke looks very fit, very!

Personally I like the circumstances in the Principality of Liechtenstein: The Prince is still the boss, but the Crown Prince does the day-to-day business.

The reasons for the transition will not be published. Both Henri and his wife are looking healthy. But, don't forget the scandal some years ago with the Waringo Report about MT's failures with personnel of the Court. That, I think was a very serious incident which hasn't been forgotten in that small country. We don't know what happened since then behind closed doors.
Once Guillaume and Stephanie had their two little sons and the line of succession was secured they probably decided to retire and turning on a new page. Not a bad decision IMO. The young couple is very well prepared for their future roles.

 

[Stefan]

Personally I like the circumstances in the Principality of Liechtenstein: The Prince is still the boss, but the Crown Prince does the day-to-day business.

I also prefer the arrangement in Liechtenstein but then this no ging on to long as Alois is Regent since 20 years

 

[Somebody]

I just did read in Bunte online about it and here in the Royal Forums the same tenor is to find: Grand Duke Henri might abdicate very soon...

But why? The Grand Duke looks very fit, very!

Personally I like the circumstances in the Principality of Liechtenstein: The Prince is still the boss, but the Crown Prince does the day-to-day business.

MT hinted a few years back already that Henri would be abdicating in the not too distant future. After she was basically kicked out of the grand duchy, she has been waiting for Henri to follow her to the south of France... which he will now be able to do as he might remain head of state (so he can celebrate his 25 years on the throne next year) but just delegated all his powers to his son - which for his predecessors was the prelude to their abdication. In terms of timing, the successors were in their early to mid-forties, so Henri is following the examples of his father and grandmother in this as well.

Personally, I don't like the set-up in Liechtenstein at all. Why cling to your position as head of state if you cannot be bothered to do the work... A regency should be a temporary situation not a (semi-)permanent one.

 

[hereditarytitles]

MT hinted a few years back already that Henri would be abdicating in the not too distant future. After she was basically kicked out of the grand duchy, she has been waiting for Henri to follow her to the south of France... which he will now be able to do as he might remain head of state (so he can celebrate his 25 years on the throne next year) but just delegated all his powers to his son - which for his predecessors was the prelude to their abdication. In terms of timing, the successors were in their early to mid-forties, so Henri is following the examples of his father and grandmother in this as well.

Personally, I don't like the set-up in Liechtenstein at all. Why cling to your position as head of state if you cannot be bothered to do the work... A regency should be a temporary situation not a (semi-)permanent one.

I couldn't agree more!

 

[Moonmaiden23]

I just did read in Bunte online about it and here in the Royal Forums the same tenor is to find: Grand Duke Henri might abdicate very soon...

But why? The Grand Duke looks very fit, very!

Personally I like the circumstances in the Principality of Liechtenstein: The Prince is still the boss, but the Crown Prince does the day-to-day business.

I just did read in Bunte online about it and here in the Royal Forums the same tenor is to find: Grand Duke Henri might abdicate very soon...

But why? The Grand Duke looks very fit, very!

Personally I like the circumstances in the Principality of Liechtenstein: The Prince is still the boss, but the Crown Prince does the day-to-day business.

Unfortunately Henri has a history of cardiac issues as do many of his male line Saxe Coburg predecessors. His Uncle Baudouin died a shockingly premature death at 62 years old from heart disease.

Maybe Henri wants to take advantage of the fact that he is still a relatively youthful appearing guy and step back to relax a bit.

I don't blame him at all.

 

[Stefan]

Personally, I don't like the set-up in Liechtenstein at all. Why cling to your position as head of state if you cannot be bothered to do the work... A regency should be a temporary situation not a (semi-)permanent one.

Fürst Hans Adam said once they do this so if something happens to the Regent the actual Moanrch could take over again in case the second in line is still a minor or too young.
But yes i think he appointed Alois much too early as Regent but that was about political Issues (he wanted more power as head of State) etc.

 

[tommy100]

Such a special day for the Lux Royals.

I think Guillaume will be a great Lieutenant Representative before becoming a great Grand Duke in time. I get they may not be Hollywood's idea of royals, but they are always so warm and joyful it shines through. I'm also reminded often that Maria Teresa seemed much warmer and kinder before slimming down and trying to become more fashionable and more what people think of as a royal looking like - give me warm and joyful anyday.

As for why now, well its Lux tradition, as is the eventual abdication. It was always going to happen and Gui will be around the same age as his predecessors when he becomes Lieutenant Representative and in turn Grand Duke. That said, I strongly suspect MT's actions and the bad publicity around them played a part in hastening proceedings. In this day and age if you are going to have a Royal Family, and especially if you are the only Grand Duchy left, then having someone central to that who is known and referred to as a bully and diva is not good PR. 4 years after the Waringo report was published feels to me like it was agreed as the most obvious, acceptable date for a respectful retreat from public duties for Henri & MT.

 

[iceflower]

It seems that of Guillaume's siblings only Prince Louis was there.

I was rather surprised not to see the whole family attending the ceremony.

Here are some additional photos and another video of today:


** robinutrecht.photoshelter.com gallery **

Lieutenant-Représentant | Signature de l'arrêté grand-ducal | Cour grand-ducale

Site officiel de la famille grand-ducale luxembourgeoise, le rôle de Chef de l'Etat du Grand-Duc.

monarchie.lu

Lieutenant-Représentant | Cérémonie à la Chambre des Députés | Cour grand-ducale

Site officiel de la famille grand-ducale luxembourgeoise, le rôle de Chef de l'Etat du Grand-Duc.

monarchie.lu

Lieutenant-Représentant | Réception au Palais | Cour grand-ducale

Site officiel de la famille grand-ducale luxembourgeoise, le rôle de Chef de l'Etat du Grand-Duc.

monarchie.lu

** gettyimages: LUX: Inauguration Of Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume As Lieutenant-Representative In Luxembourg **

 

[tommy100]

Yes, I thought it was a bit odd none of the wider family attended given they were all at the National Day concert where it was announced this would be happening. That said, I guess it makes sense to keep the focus on Guillaume and Stephanie - I mean even Stephanie didn't seem to take part in half of the events with her husband so I guess this was very much meant to be Guillaume's day.

 

[Somebody]

It seems very comparable to Henri's appointment - in that case only his parents, his wife and eldest son (who was 16 at the time) were present.

 

[Somebody]

Wim Dehandschutter mentioned in BlauwBloed that prince Louis was also present at the palace during the official handover by Henri to Guillaume. In the background, he was taking pictures (or videos) with his phone.

 

[victor1319]

Bunte online mentions, that Prince Guillaume wore a pair of glasses at the occasion and praises him for that. But I can't see the pic there!

Does anybody know, where to find it elsewhere?