Change of Thrones

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It was at the Grand Ducal Palace that Grand Duke Henri signed the decree signifying his renunciation of the throne on Friday, before the eyes of his family and the Belgian and Dutch royal couples. The decree was then signed by Prime Minister Luc Frieden. The crowned heads then joined the Chamber of Deputies, for the swearing-in of Grand Duke Guillaume. Prince Charles also came to witness this "historic moment", as Claude Wiseler, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, called it – after having had some difficulty climbing into the high chair that was waiting for him next to his grandparents, provoking the amusement of the entire audience.

As the flag bearing Henri's monogram "H" was slowly lowered into the Place de la Constitution, the new Grand Duke delivered a speech imbued with responsibility and hope for a reign that was beginning in a troubled world. He began with words taken from his grandmother Grand Duchess Charlotte when she came to the throne in 1919: "I will live the life of my people, from whom I do not want to be separated by any barriers. I will share its joys and its sufferings." He closed his speech with a thought for his grandfather, the "big-hearted" Grand Duke Jean.

From the speeches to the crowd

Unity, stability, independence, responsibility: words that resounded several times during the ceremonies, from the mouths of Luc Frieden, Claude Wiseler and the Grand Duke himself, aware of the task that falls to him as sovereign of Luxembourg and anxious to accompany the destiny of his country in the face of modern challenges, from disinformation to technological advances to climate change.

Grand Duke Guillaume and Grand Duchess Stéphanie then returned to the Palace to greet the crowds massed under the red velvet-covered balcony, before being joined by their children – to the delight of their subjects – then Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, Prince Félix and his wife Claire, Princes Louis and Sébastien, Princess Alexandra, who is just a few weeks away from giving birth, and her husband Nicolas. The royal cousins of Belgium and the Netherlands also made an appearance on the balcony.

Finally, they all made their way to the Hôtel de Ville and Place Guillaume 1^st before continuing the festivities at the Cercle Cité. A walking tour that allowed them to gauge the fervour of Luxembourgers, residents and tourists who had come for the occasion.

(Re)experience this festive day through the moments captured by our photographer and the testimonies of several spectators who were delighted to have attended the event.