This December 24, 2024, Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg delivered his traditional end-of-year speech. Luxembourgers held their breath, remembering the 1999 Christmas speech that changed the country's monarchical history. Like his father before him, Grand Duke Henri took advantage of this address to the nation to announce his abdication.
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Luxembourgers were waiting for a big announcement…
Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, 69, delivered his last Christmas speech. Luxembourgers were patiently awaiting his speech on December 24, perhaps thinking that the sovereign would make a big announcement. Indeed, Grand Duke Henri has begun the process which will ultimately lead to his abdication. In October, his eldest son, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume, was named lieutenant representative, thus granting him all the prerogatives of the head of state. This is a transitional stage – comparable to a regency – before abdication.
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On December 24, 1999, Grand Duke Jean took advantage of his Christmas Eve speech to officially announce his intention to abdicate during the coming year. Slightly postponed due to an accident, the abdication in favor of Henri took place on October 7, 2000. Henri had been appointed lieutenant representative in March 1998. The situation being almost similar this year, some thought that the Grand Duke Henry would make a big announcement in his speech. The announcement came at the end of the speech.
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Grand Duke Henri gives the date of the succession of his son Guillaume
“Today, the Grand Duchess and I are pleased to announce that Prince Guillaume and Princess Stéphanie will be our successors from October 3, 2025”announced Grand Duke Henri who is delivering his last Christmas speech, after reviewing the news of this year and the situation in his country.
The chosen date roughly corresponds to his 25th reign. On October 7, 2025, Henri would have celebrated his silver jubilee. His son William would become the seventh ruler of the House of Nassau. “I know that they will contribute with all their might to the well-being of the country. In this sense, I wish you, with the Grand Duchess, Prince Guillaume, Princess Stéphanie and all our children, a very Merry Christmas and all the best for the New Year”concluded the sovereign.
Nicolas Fontaine
Editor-in-chief
Nicolas Fontaine has been a designer-editor and author for numerous Belgian and French brands and media. A specialist in royal family news, Nicolas founded the site Histoires royales of which he is the editor-in-chief. [email protected]
