A new king in sight: Grand Duke Guillaume becomes a deputy!

A new king in sight: Grand Duke Guillaume becomes a deputy!

In Luxembourg there are significant changes in the monarchical succession. Grand Duke Henri will officially appoint his son, the Guillaume hereditary duke, at 3 p.m. today. This step not only means a formal transfer of responsibilities, but is also interpreted as a preparation for the future handover of the office. The 42-year-old Guillaume will take on certain tasks as a “Lieutenant-Représintant”, while his father, the 69-year-old Henri, continues to perform the role of head of state.

The official appointment takes place after the signing of a Grand Ducal decision in the palace, followed by a swearing ceremony in front of the Chamber of Member. Afterwards, a public encounter with the citizens on the square in front of the parliament and the palace is planned, to which many citizens will certainly appear.

The role of the Grand Duke and the government

Henri has been at the top of the second smallest country in the European Union since October 7, 2000. Last year he announced on the occasion of the Luxembourg national holiday to make his son a governor. This decision was observed by many because it shows an interesting parallel to Henri's own career. He himself was appointed two and a half years before the abdication of his father Jean in the position of "Lieutenant-Représentant".

The title “Grand Duke” denotes monarchs that can be classified between a king and a duke. This is reflected in the history of Luxembourg, which is the only currently existing Grand Duchy worldwide and includes a population of around 670,000 people.

Erbgrözog Guillaume has been married to Princess Stéphanie, a Belgian countess since October 2012, and the couple has two sons. The royal offspring is already in the focus of the public, and the responsibility that comes with its role in the monarchy will continue to increase in the future.

Today's appointment not only marks the beginning of a new chapter in the Luxembourg monarchy, but also represents an important moment in the legacy of this traditional institution. While the citizens are looking forward to the ceremony, the question of the future abdication of Grand Duke Henri remains unanswered.