Luxembourg’s head of state, Grand Duke Henri, will hand over his title to his son Guillaume on 3 October next year, after a quarter of a century in the role.
The Luxemburger Wort has repeatedly accompanied the head of state with its camera during this period and has compiled a series of images that document numerous moments from his time as monarch.
Also read:Grand Duke Henri confirms date of retirement
Luxembourg’s Grand Duke marking the beginning of a new chapter for the monarchy on 8 October 2024: in the presence of Prime Minister Luc Frieden (left), his wife, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa (centre) and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie (right) in the Grand Ducal Palace, he signs the document appointing his son Guillaume as lieutenant-representative © Photo credit: dpa
Pope Francis visits Luxembourg: Grand Duke Henri had the opportunity to meet with the head of the Catholic Church in September 2024 © Photo credit: Marc Wilwert
April 2023: Grand Duke Henri prepares to lead his daughter Alexandra down the aisle at her wedding in Bormes-les-Mimosas, France © Photo credit: Marc Wilwert
In December 2020, new tram stops were inaugurated, including the one at the main railway station. One of the first passengers was Grand Duke Henri © Photo credit: Guy Jallay
In June 2019, the Grand Duke had to bury his father, Grand Duke Jean © Photo credit: Guy Wolff
The Grand Duke meets Cardinal Hollerich during the consistory in 2019 © Photo credit: Lex Kleren
Grand Duke Henri during his 2018 National Day speech at the Philharmonie in Luxembourg © Photo credit: Guy Jallay
In December 2017, the head of state during a visit to the Skytree in the Japanese capital Tokyo © Photo credit: Guy Wolff
The then Pope, Benedict XVI, receives the Grand Duke and Prince Guillaume for an audience at the Vatican in September 2017 © Photo credit: AP
Proud grandparents: the Grand Ducal couple with their daughter-in-law, Princess Claire, and their grandchild, Princess Amalia, on the beach at Cabasson in July 2015 © Photo credit: David Niviere/Cour Grand-Ducale
State visit to Austria in April 2013: the Luxembourg monarch, Étienne Schneider and Jean Asselborn inspect the crown of Rudolf II in the Imperial Treasury in Vienna © Photo credit: Guy Jallay
Pearl wedding: In February 2011, the Grand Ducal couple celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary © Photo credit: Christian Aschmann
September 2010: As part of his visit to Portugal, Grand Duke Henri spoke in the historical library of the University of Coimbra on the subject of “Le Luxembourg, pays d’immigration et d’accueil” © Photo credit: Guy Jallay
In 2009, the monarch swore in the ministers of the new government led by Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker at Berg Castle © Photo credit: Guy Jallay
In 2008, the monarch attended the Olympic Games in Beijing © Photo credit: Guy Jallay
The Grand Duke during his Christmas speech in 2008. In the same year, he announced that he would withhold his consent to the law on assisted suicide on grounds of conscience. As a result, parliament amended the constitution so that he only had the right to promulgate laws © Photo credit: Guy Jallay
The Grand Ducal couple celebrates National Day in Ettelbrück in 2007 © Photo credit: Guy Wolff
In 2006 Grand Duke Henri visited the sacred mountain of Tai Shan in China: it is said to bring good luck if you have your wishes carved into a cylinder lock in the temple and fasten it with red ribbons © Photo credit: Serge Waldbillig
Grand Duke Henri congratulates stage winner Robbie McEwen from Australia at the 2006 Tour de France in Esch-sur-Alzette © Photo credit: Serge Waldbillig
Photo shoot in April 2005: Grand Duke Henri, Prince Guillaume, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, Princess Alexandra, Prince Louis and Prince Sébastien © Photo credit: Lola Velasco/Cour Grand-Ducal
Madeleine Albright, former US Secretary of State, received by Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa in October 2005 © Photo credit: Guy Jallay
Dressage tournament in Mondorf, 2003: Winner Ulla Salzgeber, together with Grand Duke Henri, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa and tournament president Paul Kayser © Photo credit: Serge Waldbillig
Celebrities at the inauguration of the new “Centre de Formation” in 2003: Grand Duke Henri surrounded by FIFA President Sepp Blatter, FLF President Henri Roemer and Sports Minister Anne Brasseur © Photo credit: Archives
February 2002: Grand Duchess Maria Teresa and Grand Duke Henri at the wedding of Máxima Zorregieta and Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands © Photo credit: Gamma
Grand Duke Henri with his wife and Ireland’s President Mary McAleese during a state visit in 2002 © Photo credit: Archives
Grand Duke Henri with his father, Grand Duke Jean, in July 2001 © Photo credit: Sibenaler Le
In Obijë E Eperme in Kosovo, Grand Duke Henri and Defence Minister Charles Goerens listen to the explanations of Caritas Director Erny Gillen in September 2001 © Photo credit: Cyril Bailleul
Grand Duke Henri and a giant tortoise on the Galápagos Islands in 2001 © Photo credit: Cyril Bailleul
In conversation with the head of the American Coast Guard in 2001: Grand Duke Henri; the representative of the United Nations, Aase Smedler; the Secretary General of the Charles Darwin Foundation, Fernando Espinoza; and Rodolpho Rendon, Ecuador’s Environment Minister © Photo credit: Cyril Bailleul
The Grand Ducal couple pose for an official photo in 2001 © Photo credit: Raymond Reuter
October 2000: Grand Duke Jean signing the abdication document, which made his son Henri the new head of state of Luxembourg © Photo credit: Joseph Tomassini
(This article was first published by the Luxemburger Wort. Translation, adaptation and editing by Tracy Heindrichs)