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Grand Duke Henri, of Luxembourg has abdicated the throne in favor of his son, Guillaume, in a historic ceremony attended by world leaders and royals on Friday.
The 70-year-old, who is Europe’s richest royal with a staggering $4 billion net worth, stepped down after 25 years as head of state during a glitzy event at the Grand Ducal Palace.
The ceremony, attended by a range of guests including Dutch and Belgian royals, saw Guillaume, 43, crowned as he stepped into the role of a lifetime.
Guillaume also swore an oath to Luxembourg’s constitution before 60 elected members of the parliament, known as the Chamber of Deputies.
The lavish ceremony is set to be followed by a gala dinner in Luxembourg City, and is expected to be attended by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Despite the change in grand dukes, the role remains largely ceremonial as his primary function is to act as a symbolic head of state and a representative for Luxembourg internationally.
His reign endured numerous challenges in Luxembourg’s political and socioeconomic landscape, including the 2008 financial crisis — the most significant economic shock to the country since the 1970s.
Henri received an education in France, Switzerland and at Sandhurst military academy in Berkshire, England.
His son had largely followed suit, enrolling at schools in London, Switzerland, France and at Sandhurst, before working in Belgian, German and Spanish firms.
Guillaume is married to Belgian-born Countess Stéphanie de Lannoy. The couple, who tied the knot in 2012, share sons Charles, 5, and François, 2.
As Europe’s seventh-smallest country, Luxembourg has emerged as a leading financial hub and plays a central role in the European Union, serving as home to major institutions such as the European Court of Justice and the European Investment Bank.
Guillaume will be Luxembourg’s seventh grand duke since 1890, when the modern monarchy was established.
Complex royal politics, as well as the loss of significant territories over the centuries, has meant Luxembourg is not a kingdom. It is the world’s last remaining grand duchy.
Guillaume will symbolically head the 1,000-person army of Luxembourg, which was a founding member of NATO in the wake of the devastation of World War II.
Henri laid out the challenges ahead for Guillaume and Luxembourg in his last Christmas speech.
“Climate change is probably the greatest challenge of the future, but geopolitical tensions, wars and economic upheaval also require a need for reflection,” he said at the time.
Henri’s abdication, which was announced in Dec. 2024, marks the second European abdication within the last year.
Queen Margrethe of Denmark decided to hand over the crown to her son, Frederik, in January after a whopping 52 years on the throne.
The monarch — third cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II — revealed in her New Year’s speech on Dec. 31, 2024 that she would be stepping down on Jan. 14, 2025.
With Post wires
