“I was convinced that the transfer of power was going to be announced for the beginning of 2026,” laughs Stéphane Bern. I thought that Henry was going to celebrate his 25 years of reign in October 2025 (Editor’s note: a jubilee will be organized at the same time as the national holiday in June). It is the voice of wisdom. The Franco-Luxembourg host considers that the fact that Grand Duke Henri will give way on October 3 is a sign that “time is speeding up in everything” and that all monarchies “must adapt to the world in which they live.
The presenter explains that in the past, a sovereign could reign for 70 years, like Queen Elizabeth in the United Kingdom. “But with the current issues around the climate challenge or artificial intelligence, Henri, who will celebrate his 70th birthday in April, does not want to be an old sovereign who watches the trains go by. Especially since, for his part, Guillaume is already 43 years old and wants to do something with his life.”
The specialist in crowned heads believes that Guillaume will leave his mark, by giving his opinion and committing to certain issues. “He is very interested in economic development,” notes Stéphane Bern. Personality-wise, he’s as easy-going as Grand Duchess Maria Teresa. In the end, he is the crossroads between the Latinity of his mother and the more reserved Saxon character of his father. He embodies today’s Luxembourg.”
Swiss
