This Tuesday, October 8, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume moved one step closer to the Grand Ducal throne. Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg transmitted the lieutenancy, the prerogative of representation of the Grand Duke, to his eldest son, the first transitional phase before the abdication. The ceremonies took place at the Grand Ducal Palace and the Chamber of Deputies, in the presence of the Grand Ducal couple and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie who accompanied her husband.
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Grand Duke Henri formalized the first step towards abdication
By establishing a lieutenancy, a page turns in the monarchical history of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg before writing a new chapter, when Grand Duke Henri will abdicate within a few years in favor of his eldest son. This Tuesday, October 8, 2024, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg, 42, became lieutenant representative of his father, Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg. At the age of 69, the Luxembourg sovereign decided to take a step aside, passing on his prerogatives to his eldest son.
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As Lieutenant Representative, William moves one step closer to the throne and will double his workload. William remains the heir to the throne but he will now be called upon to represent his father, who remains the head of state. The function of lieutenant-representative is similar to that of a regent known in other monarchies. Lieutenancy and abdication are traditions in Luxembourg.
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The tradition of appointing a lieutenant representative continues
In January 1919, at the age of 24, Grand Duchess Marie Adélaïde, the first woman to reign in Luxembourg, was forced to abdicate, handing over her throne to her sister, Grand Duchess Charlotte. If this first abdication was forced, the following ones will be voluntary. Grand Duchess Charlotte appointed her son Jean as lieutenant representative on May 4, 1961. On November 12, 1964, Grand Duchess Charlotte abdicated. Grand Duke Jean, in turn, appointed his son Henri as lieutenant representative on May 4, 1998. Henri was 43 years old, roughly the same age as Guillaume, when he became his father’s representative. Grand Duke Henri succeeded his father after his abdication on October 7, 2000.
On the sidelines of the ceremony, the Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and the Grand Duke Henri, who admitted wanting “really take it easy”answered questions from journalists Claude Zeimetz and Maurice Molitor. “This period of lieutenancy will give me the opportunity to get more involved in files to which I had not yet had access”explains Guillaume. “It’s a whole other aspect of responsibilities: becoming familiar with international politics and diplomacy, the orders to be signed, the entire legislative aspect, which I don’t know perfectly either”he admitted.
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Grand Duke Henri signs the grand ducal decree appointing his son lieutenant representative
This historic day began at 3 p.m. at the Grand Ducal Palace located in the heart of the capital. At his workplace, Grand Duke Henri placed his signature at the bottom of the grand ducal decree indicating the appointment of his son as lieutenant representative. The principal concerned was present during this solemn moment, observing his father affixing his signature to the document. The Prime Minister, Luc Frieden, countersigned the decree. Grand Duchess Maria Teresa and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie were present to witness this solemn moment.
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After signing the grand ducal decree, the Prime Minister and Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume gave a speech. “You can exercise all the powers that the Grand Duke has under the constitution”assures the Prime Minister in his speech. “There will therefore be no public or secret document which would limit or detail the attributions and tasks.”
“Each country has only one head of state and the Grand Duke remains the only head of state of Luxembourg. The Grand Duke will therefore continue to be able to exercise all his constitutional powers. And as head of state, he will continue to represent the state. The Grand Duke is and remains the symbol of our national unity and independence”clarifies the Prime Minister.
Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume takes oath as Lieutenant Representative
A few minutes later, the second act of this historic day took place in the Chamber of Deputies, which is located next to the Grand Ducal Palace. The President of the Chamber of Deputies, Claude Wiseler, opened the extraordinary session by giving a speech.
In the presence of 60 deputies of the Luxembourg parliament, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume took the oath with great emotion. “I swear to observe the Constitution and the laws, and to faithfully fulfill my constitutional duties”declared Guillaume.
The day before, during his interview with the two journalists, Guillaume had admitted his nervousness. “I’m stressed. I’ve known for a long time that this moment was coming. But when he arrives, it’s a completely different matter and I’m a little nervous.” The ceremony concluded with Guillaume’s first speech as lieutenant representative.
In his speech delivered to the Chamber of Deputies, just after his swearing in, Guillaume explained that “The Lieutenancy which begins today is a double proof of confidence. The trust of a father in his son, but also the trust of a head of state in his successor. » The new lieutenant representative said: “I wholeheartedly thank my father for the responsibility he has entrusted to me today. I would also like to thank my mother for her example of commitment to the most vulnerable in our society. And above all, a huge thank you to my wife, who is always by my side. I am very grateful for the support you gave me during the years of my preparation and that you continue to give me. I am very proud to be able, from this day onwards, to work even more alongside our Head of State and I promise to give the best of myself to fulfill my new responsibilities.”
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