On October 3, Grand Duke Henry of Luxembourg abdicated after 25 years, passing the throne to his son, Prince Wilhelm, in a ceremony at the Grand Ducal Palace.
Grand Duke Henry abdicates
On Friday, October 3, a formal abdication ceremony took place at the Grand Ducal Palace in Luxembourg. The 70‑year‑old Grand Duke Henry, who ascended the throne in 2000 following his predecessor’s abdication on October 7, 2000, announced on December 24, 2024 that he would abdicate today in favour of his son. Prime Minister Luc Frieden praised him for balancing dignity and warmth, solemnity and openness, formality and humanity, noting that the role was destined for him by birth. Residents of Luxembourg said they could not imagine a better sovereign.
Wilhelm to become new Grand Duke
Now the throne will be taken by Henry’s son, Prince Wilhelm, born in 1981 as the first child of the former Grand Duke and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa. He married Countess Stéphanie de Lannoy in 2012 and has two sons, Charles and Francis. Wilhelm studied at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in Camberley, England, and also pursued philosophy and anthropology at the Institute of Philanthropy in Freiburg. In 2009 he earned a master’s degree in political science from the Albert‑Le‑Grand Institute in Angers, France. Accession ceremonies are planned nationwide through Sunday.
