Grand Duke Henri & Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, Current Events 9: Aug 2023 -


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I liked the interview. It is confirmed that Henri and Maria Teresa will move to the royal estate of Fischbach. But I believe they will also spend a lot of time outside the country.
 
On April 30, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa visited the House of Microfinance – Luxembourg:




 
Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa met architects Christian and Elisabeth de Portzamparc and were presented with the Philharmonic's extension project:


 
Yesterday Grand Duchess Maria Teresa visited the Red Cross Socio-Therapeutic Centre in Kautenbach.


 
Grand Duke Henri attended the presentation of the Luxembourg Olympic and Sports Committee's "New Integrated Concept for Sport":





Today he received Ban Ki-moon in his role as President of the Global Green Growth Institute:




And he attended the opening ceremony of the 2025 meeting of the European Platform for Quality-Labeled Youth Centers:


 
Grand Duchess Maria Teresa as President of the Luxembourg Red Cross hosted a reception for Red Cross Volunteers:



 
Today, May 8, Grand Duke Henri attended the celebration for the 40th anniversary of satellite operator SES in Betzdorf:






And together with Grand Duchess Maria Teresa he attended the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War at Neumünster Abbey:



 
Today, May 10, Grand Duke Henri attended the Europe Day festivities in Echternach:



 
Grand Duke Henri received Nicolas Schmit, former European Commissioner for Employment and Social Rights, and Christophe Hansen, the new Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, today, May 13:



Furthermore he received Georges Ravarani, former Luxembourg judge at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), and his successor, Stéphane Pisani:




And he visited an exhibition in tribute to the Luxembourg painter Jean-Pierre Beckius (1899 – 1946):



 
Yesterday, Grand Duke Henri attended the inauguration of the "Place Grand-Duc Henri" in Senningen, in the commune of Niederanven, during a ceremony to pay tribute to the Grand Duke for his reign.

 
Today, May 16, Grand Duke Henri visited the exhibition "Our New Housing – An Invitation to Cooperate":



 
Grand Duke Henri attended "a presentation of a project by the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) aimed at analyzing the impact of climate change on water and forests" yesterday, May 20:





On May 21 he was in Weilburg, Germany, for the 20th anniversary of the educational project "Life at the Palace":



 
Grand Duchess Maria Teresa has visited the visited the "Women in Need" South Shelter in Esch-sur-Alzette this afternoon, May 22:





A few days ago she had already visited "Konterbont" home in Dudelange, a day and night reception center for child victims of abuse and the "New Step" Shelter for Victims of Human Trafficking:







And together with Grand Duke Henri Grand Duchess Maria Teresa christened a new rose "Resilience". The rose was created by the non-profit organization "Patrimoine Roses Luxembourg":

With this new rose, launched for the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, the Association wishes to pay tribute to the resilience and courage of those who fought for freedom and peace


 
Grand Duke Henri has begun his visit to Japan for the Expo in Osaka yesterday, May 27, and has already met with Emperor Naruhito:





 
The Court today shared a second set of photos of the visit to Japan:


 
Grand Duke Henri, accompanied by Ministers Xavier Bettel and Yuriko Backes and the Luxembourg delegation, visited the “Doki Doki – The Heart of Luxembourg” pavilion.

 
Yesterday, June 3, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa attended one of the regular Stand Speak Rise Up! meetings:



 
Grand Duke Henri visited the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology in Belvaux today, June 6:




 
Grand Duke Henri attended the Police Day today, June 8:




 
Today, June 9, Grand Duke Henri attended the Broom Festival in Wiltz, that celebrates its 75th anniversary this year:




 
Grand Duke Henri paid a visit to the Excavation Museum and the remains of the Gallo-Roman villa of Goeblange today, June 12:



 
Today, June 14, Grand Duke Henri together with Archduke Carl-Christian and Princess Marie Astrid attended the celebrations for the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Schengen Agreement in Schengen:


** anp gallery **


 
A very important event for Europe! Strange that Maria Theresa and other official political representatives were not there.
 
Despite the Grand-Ducal Couple’s recent cancellation of a meeting with national media where they were scheduled to respond to questions reflecting on the Grand Duke’s reign, the Grand Duchess was interviewed by Marie-Adelaide Leclercq-Olhagaray and Jessika Maria Rauch for Elle Luxembourg.



A few of the quotes from the Grand Duchess:

On courtiers and observers causing the couple trouble during the early years of their marriage: “The conservatism came from those around us, those who believed themselves the guardians of the institution and always thought they knew better than the family.”

On marrying in as a commoner and foreigner: “When I entered the royal family, I knew how to behave through the impeccable education I received. That's part of the reason why I was accepted into the family, I was perceived as one of their own.”

On returning to Cuba (which she left at age three) in 2002 with her sister and two of their children, a trip which her husband encouraged: “This trip profoundly transformed me. I understood an essential part of who I am.”

On clothes shopping: “I would like to make it clear that I have never used taxpayer money for my outfits.”

On loneliness after she, as a young married woman, lost her best friend Christine Tesche to cancer: “I’ve met a lot of people and built some connections, but I’ve never found a real friend. One of my greatest sufferings was my loneliness.” “My primary value in friendship is benevolence, it is the most precious quality.”

On her husband wanting but being unable to defend her during the period of the Waringo report: “Beyond this particular situation, my husband deserves special tribute for his admirable attitude.” “As a feminist, he accepts and fully supports my place, even if it can sometimes surprise or displease those around us.”

On her humanitarian work: “Even when many tried to stop me from developing this role that was off the beaten track, my husband was still there to encourage me. It is necessary to have a very strong spine to stay the course. But this humanitarian DNA is my legacy passed down from generation to generation.”


The article also includes an interesting quote from Prime Minister Luc Frieden, who praises the Grand Duchess extensively for “fighting for noble causes” and says “Even though her status will soon change, she’ll continue to speak out for her convictions.”
 
This is not an interview with the Press , she spoke with glory about herself and it took time (changing many clothes , having a hairdresser to adjust her tiara etc..) about what she wanted to say without any other Question.
Don't forget that Grand Duchess Charlotte did not want to attend their Wedding. (I was perceived as one of their own )
 
Despite the Grand-Ducal Couple’s recent cancellation of a meeting with national media where they were scheduled to respond to questions reflecting on the Grand Duke’s reign, the Grand Duchess was interviewed by Marie-Adelaide Leclercq-Olhagaray and Jessika Maria Rauch for Elle Luxembourg.



A few of the quotes from the Grand Duchess:

On courtiers and observers causing the couple trouble during the early years of their marriage: “The conservatism came from those around us, those who believed themselves the guardians of the institution and always thought they knew better than the family.”

On marrying in as a commoner and foreigner: “When I entered the royal family, I knew how to behave through the impeccable education I received. That's part of the reason why I was accepted into the family, I was perceived as one of their own.”

On returning to Cuba (which she left at age three) in 2002 with her sister and two of their children, a trip which her husband encouraged: “This trip profoundly transformed me. I understood an essential part of who I am.”

On clothes shopping: “I would like to make it clear that I have never used taxpayer money for my outfits.”

On loneliness after she, as a young married woman, lost her best friend Christine Tesche to cancer: “I’ve met a lot of people and built some connections, but I’ve never found a real friend. One of my greatest sufferings was my loneliness.” “My primary value in friendship is benevolence, it is the most precious quality.”

On her husband wanting but being unable to defend her during the period of the Waringo report: “Beyond this particular situation, my husband deserves special tribute for his admirable attitude.” “As a feminist, he accepts and fully supports my place, even if it can sometimes surprise or displease those around us.”

On her humanitarian work: “Even when many tried to stop me from developing this role that was off the beaten track, my husband was still there to encourage me. It is necessary to have a very strong spine to stay the course. But this humanitarian DNA is my legacy passed down from generation to generation.”


The article also includes an interesting quote from Prime Minister Luc Frieden, who praises the Grand Duchess extensively for “fighting for noble causes” and says “Even though her status will soon change, she’ll continue to speak out for her convictions.”
An interesting interview with "Elle". Of course, she chose this magazine instead of facing the entire Luxembourg press. Carefully planned and selected, you can't even blame her for it. What public figure, whether royal or politician, has ever admitted mistakes in public?
I don't know anyone!

It was well known that, as a young, non-royal woman, she was not accepted by her mother-in-law. Those were different times, and she and Henri certainly suffered as a result. She no longer mentions it, which is quite wise. She came from a “good” family and knew how to “behave.”
She only mentions the Waringo Report, which is the sore point, in passing. "Being a feminist"? her husband ? He defended her, what else could he have done.
I'm not surprised, as she would have had to admit to mistakes.

She can be very happy about how much her husband has always stood by her, and still does.

One can condemn her and dislike her for being so selfish and especially for treating her employees in such a horrible way, but one can also acknowledge that she took controversial issues, such as domestic violence against women and other issues related to the oppression of women, so seriously that she campaigned for them.
That was certainly not the case in the past, which is why she said that it was considered unusual at court.

I'm not a fan of hers, but I try to be fair. She gained attention with the causes she championed, but unfortunately ruined everything by treating her employees so badly.
She is generally condemned as a person, some people even think she has no heart for her daughters in law and showing how she adores her grandchildren is just fake. That, I am convinced , is not the case. I think she loves her children and her grandchildren. And I think that she gets along quite well with her daughters in law (except one from the past, which I don't want to mention here, because that would be off topic)
 
Sadly its not unusual for the good work people do to be undone when its revealed behind closed (palace_ doors they are not very nice.

MT has done good in speaking up for some of the least heard in society. But I do at times question her motivation for doing so. Is it selfless or is it because she thinks it will bring her more attention and praise.

I do think that while her husband remains the Sovereign and country he should at least face the press at the end of his reign as he initially agreed. Fair enough MT isn't sovereign and the Waringo report made note that her role should be limited (though I believe it meant no more limited than any other consort) so she can skip it. But IMO days after saying "we aren't feeling it" (literally) to appear in a glossy, favourable, puff piece for a foreign magazine involving a day at least of dressing up in gowns and other OTT outfits is at best misguided, at worse deliberately provocative. It would have been better for MT to wait and do this after the abdication is she desired to do an interview but then it wouldn't have undermined their message to the Luxembourg press at much.

MT was one of the reasons I first started following royalty. I saw her as kind, gentle, a sort of "working mum" by royal standards. How well the PR worked for so long. Now I see she is nothing more than Grand Duchess Difficult, to the bitter end of her husband's reign.
 
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