While we try to cover the more extended royal houses in Europe, we rarely talk about Luxembourg, which exists as a land-locked “grand duchy” bordering Germany, France and Belgium. The “monarch” of Luxembourg is actually called the “Grand Duke” (because it’s a duchy). Currently, Grand Duke Henri is in charge. But probably not for long. Just this week, Grand Duke Henri was hosted in Brussels by the Belgian king and queen, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde. Around the same time, Henri gave an interview in which he indicated that he would likely abdicate at some point in the near future.
Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, the small European nation’s head of state, says he plans to abdicate the country’s throne—but won’t say when. The Grand Duke said it was “obvious” that he “intends to retire at some point” in a Tuesday interview with French publication La Libre, saying that he made the decision in consultation with his family, including his eldest son and heir apparent, the Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume.
“All this is planned in family consultation” he told La Libre. “I find that it is very important to give young people a perspective.”
The Grand Duke said he plans to happily hand the throne over to Guillaume when the time eventually comes.
“There are plans, it will happen,” he said. When he was asked if he had picked a date for the abdication he said, “yes, but I won’t tell you that!”
Grand Duke Henri has been ruling the tiny, land-locked country since 2000, when his own father abdicated his seat. On Tuesday he celebrated his 69th birthday during a state visit to Belgium, a country headed by his first cousin King Phillipe.
“I am a happy man. But I could not choose my destiny,” the leader said. Henri is just the latest European royal to consider abdication—the most high profile being Denmark’s Queen Margrethe, who decided late last year to give up her own country’s throne and hand the reins over to her son, Crown Prince Frederik.
Over the past two years, I’ve wondered about how Europe’s other royal houses view the Windsors and their (at times) cracked-out shenanigans. I think there was so much respect, across the board, for Queen Elizabeth II among all royal houses. But nowadays, it feels like the other European royals sort of look down their noses at the desperate situation in the House of Windsor. I guess my point is that the other royal houses seem to have no issue with regularly abdicating and taking real time to prepare the heir to take over. While Luxembourg might not seem as “grand” as all of those English palaces and castles, Grand Duke Henri sounds more modern and forward-thinking than QEII, Charles and William put together.
Photos courtesy of Cover Images.
King Philippe, Filip of Belgium and Queen Mathilde of Belgium with Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg during a visit to the City Hall in Brussels, on the first day of the state visit by de Luxembourg Royals to Belgium. Featuring: King Philippe, Filip of Belgium, Queen Mathilde of Belgium, Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg Where: Brussels, Belgium When: 16 Apr 2024 Credit: Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images **NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NETHERLANDS OR FRANCE** 
Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg during the State Banquet at the Laken Castle in Laken, on the first day of the state visit by de Luxembourg Royals to Belgium. Featuring: Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg Where: Laken, Belgium When: 16 Apr 2024 Credit: Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images **NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NETHERLANDS OR FRANCE** 
Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg during the State Banquet at the Laken Castle in Laken, on the first day of the state visit by de Luxembourg Royals to Belgium. Featuring: Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg Where: Laken, Belgium When: 16 Apr 2024 Credit: Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images **NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NETHERLANDS OR FRANCE**
Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg during the State Banquet at the Laken Castle in Laken, on the first day of the state visit by de Luxembourg Royals to Belgium. Featuring: Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg Where: Laken, Belgium When: 16 Apr 2024 Credit: Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images **NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NETHERLANDS OR FRANCE** 
King Philippe, Filip of Belgium and Queen Mathilde of Belgium with Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg during the State Banquet at the Laken Castle in Laken, on the first day of the state visit by de Luxembourg Royals to Belgium. Featuring: King Philippe, Filip of Belgium and Queen Mathilde of Belgium with Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg Where: Laken, Belgium When: 16 Apr 2024 Credit: Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images **NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NETHERLANDS OR FRANCE**ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pLHLnpmirJOdxm%2BvzqZmcW5naoV3e8uur56lkqTCs7PSmJ6rmZ6ZrKXByp6WoZ2ep7agvMuapayXpKSsoq7DopqarJWUwamx0Z6WmqqVlL2trc2slqKsj6y2rbi%2BoZipqJWjfA%3D%3D