The date when Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg will formally step down from the throne after 24 years as sovereign has now been announced.
The Grand Duke made the unexpected abdication announcement during his Christmas broadcast last December.
In his speech, he revealed that his son, Prince Guillaume, 43, would succeed him as the nation’s sovereign.
The date when Grand Duke Herni will now formally step down as head of state of the small European nation has been announced to be October 3, 2025.
Henri’s decision to abdicate follows a similar move by his royal relation Queen Margrethe of Denmark earlier. Queen Margrethe stepped down after 52 years on the throne, making way for her son Frederik to become King on 14 January.
“As you know, Prince Guillaume has been Lieutenant-Représentant since 8 October and is preparing intensively for his accession to the throne,” the Grand Duke said at the time.
The Grand Duke expressed confidence in his son and daughter-in-law during his abdication announcement, saying: “I know that they will do their utmost to contribute to the well-being of our country.”
According to the Luxembourg government, the Act of Abdication will be signed by Grand Duke Henri on the day of transition, alongside the President of the Chamber of Deputies and the Prime Minister.
Following the signing, Prince Guillaume will be sworn in at the Chamber of Deputies. The ceremony will establish him as the new Grand Duke of Luxembourg, taking on the full responsibilities of the sovereign.
After the swearing-in, Guillaume will make his first official appearance as Grand Duke on the balcony of the Grand Ducal Palace.
The Luxembourg government will host a reception for institutions and the diplomatic corps following the balcony appearance. This gathering will allow officials to formally recognise the new sovereign.
The evening will conclude with a gala dinner at the palace, bringing together dignitaries and Royal Family members.
The celebrations will continue on October 4, with the new Grand Duke undertaking official engagements across several Luxembourg cities. In the evening, the royal couple will travel to the capital for special public festivities.
Citizens will be treated to a nocturnal drone show lighting up the sky above Luxembourg City. The royal pair will also attend a concert on the Glacis, allowing the public to join in the celebrations.
The following day, October 5, the Grand Ducal family is expected to attend a special service at Notre Dame Cathedral in Luxembourg.
This religious ceremony will be held at the invitation of the Archbishop, providing a spiritual dimension to the transition.
Prince Guillaume, the heir to the throne, is married to Princess Stephanie de Lannoy, with whom he tied the knot in 2012. The couple are parents to two young sons – five-year-old Prince Charles and Prince François, who was born in March 2023.
Guillaume is one of five children born to Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa.
The royal couple also have sons Prince Felix, Prince Louis, and Prince Sebastien, as well as a daughter, Princess Alexandra – with the Grand Ducal family now including eight grandchildren, with their latest grandchild, Victoire, born in May last year.
According to local media, a privately funded annexe is being built for Guillaume, Stephanie and their family within the grounds of Berg Castle in Colmar-Berg.
The family is expected to move to this new residence when Guillaume becomes Grand Duke
