Marking the end of a 25-year chapter, Grand Duke Henri made his farewell visit to the army in Diekirch, where he was honoured in a ceremony ahead of his abdication next month.
In a ceremonial farewell at the Herrenberg barracks in Diekirch, Grand Duke Henri inspected and saluted Luxembourg’s troops for the final time as their Commander-in-Chief, a role he has held for 25 years.
The event, attended by Minister of Defence Yuriko Backes and Army Chief of Staff Steve Thull, marks a formal military transition ahead of the sovereign’s abdication on 3 October. That weekend will feature nationwide celebrations as Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume assumes the throne.
As a token of the army’s gratitude, Chief of Staff Thull presented the Grand Duke with an engraved sabre. The blade features a crowned “H” for Henri, while the scabbard is inscribed: “25 years Commander of the Luxembourg Army. Thank you for your commitment.”
In a social media post, the army stated the gift honoured the Grand Duke’s “commitment to the army over 25 years” and extended thanks “for the exemplary support he has offered the army over all the years, both as Prince and later as Grand Duke.”