Luxembourg Enthrones Grand Duke Guillaume Ending 25-Year Reign of Henri

Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg has abdicated after a 25-year reign, passing the throne to his eldest son, Grand Duke Guillaume, who pledged to bridge tradition and innovation in his new role. The abdication and enthronement ceremonies were marked by significant pomp and pageantry, attracting hundreds of attendees including European royalty and dignitaries such as the Dutch and Belgian royal families, European Parliament chief Roberta Metsola, and European Council President António Costa. Guillaume formally took the oath of service before lawmakers and foreign dignitaries, wearing a green military uniform with a yellow sash, while his wife, Stephanie, appeared publicly wearing the Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau for the first time. Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Luc Frieden praised Henri for his balanced and dignified service, highlighting the tradition of abdication in Luxembourg to allow for generational transition. The event was celebrated by the Luxembourg public and highlighted the strong ties within the Benelux monarchs, underscoring the continuity and stability within the small European nation of about 680,000 people. This transition follows a century-old tradition where Luxembourgish monarchs abdicate rather than die in office, with Guillaume committed to leading the monarchy into the future.