Luxembourg’s Grand Duke abdicates throne to son Guillaume V after 25 years

By Necva Tastan Sevinc

ISTANBUL (AA) —Luxembourg’s Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume was sworn in on Friday as the country’s new head of state, following the abdication of his father, Henri, after 25 years on the throne.

The swearing-in ceremony took place in the Chamber of Deputies in Luxembourg City, where Guillaume, 43, took the constitutional oath before lawmakers. Earlier in the morning, Grand Duke Henri officially stepped down at the Grand Ducal Palace.

Guillaume becomes the 10th monarch in the nation’s history. In his first speech, he emphasized his commitment to the country’s democratic institutions, promising to remain politically neutral and to carry out his constitutional responsibilities “with responsibility, integrity, and commitment.”

He also spoke about current challenges facing Luxembourg and the wider world, including geopolitical tensions, disinformation, climate change, and poverty.

He underlined Luxembourg’s social stability and multiculturalism as strengths and called on younger generations to value human connections in an increasingly digital society.

Educated in the UK and France, Guillaume studied political science and international relations and trained at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

He has represented Luxembourg at official events for more than two decades, with a focus on economic development, innovation, and social issues.

He succeeds Grand Duke Henri, who assumed the throne in 2000. The new Grand Duchess is Stephanie, Guillaume’s wife since 2012. The couple has two sons, Prince Charles, born in 2020, and Prince Francois, born in 2023.