Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, 69, reveals that he ‘intends to retire at some point’ – and even knows the date he plans to hand the baton over to his son Guillaume
Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg has revealed he already has an abdication date in mind, putting him in contention with older European monarchs who are said to be considering stepping down from duty to allow their young heirs to rule to take over.
Speak with La Libreas reported by Point de VueThe royal, 69, joked that he knows the exact date he plans to hand over the baton to his son Guillaume, 42 – but that he “won’t tell the press yet.”
‘All this is planned in family consultation. “I think it’s very important to give young people a perspective,” he added.
‘Transmission and trust are the two essential elements in my relationship with my son Guillaume.’
The outlet, which reported on a conversation the Grand Duke had with the Place Royale program, also revealed that he said it is “obvious” that he “plans to retire at some point.”
Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg (pictured with wife Maria Teresa in 2023) has revealed he already has an abdication date in mind, putting him in contention with older European monarchs who are rumored to be considering to relinquish their duty to allow their young heirs to take over the throne. the reigns.
“There are plans,” explains Henri, who has been in power since October 2000. “There will come a day when it has to be done.”
His comments follow a series of abdication rumors among Europe’s royal family after Queen Margrethe of Denmark made the shock decision to give up the throne after 52 years, making way for her son Frederik to take over on January 14 .
Royal biographer Phil Dampier told MailOnline at the time that he believes King Charles will be influenced by events in Denmark since New Year’s Eve – especially if it would protect the future of the British royal family.
He added that the Prince and Princess of Wales are very friends with Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary and will have been in contact with them.
“Our late queen would never abdicate because of what happened in 1936 when her uncle abdicated and her father ascended the throne. But times change,” he explained.
‘William and Kate get on very well with Frederik and Mary and will be among the first to congratulate them. They will be fascinated to see how they fare as King and Queen and it will also make them think about their future.’
However, King Harald of Norway has confirmed he has no plans to step down, following speculation he could follow in his former Danish counterpart’s footsteps.
The 86-year-old monarch (the grandnephew of King Charles III) emphasized that the promise he made to the Norwegian parliament when he came to the throne in 1991 is ‘valid for life’.
King Harald told Faktisk.no: “I stand by what I have said all along. I made an oath to the Storting, and it is valid for life.’
Speaking to La Libre, as reported by Point de Vue, the royal, 69, joked that he knows the exact date he plans to pass the baton to his son Guillaume, 42 (pictured with his wife in 2023 ) – but ‘won’t do that’. tell the press.
The Grand Duke and his wife Maria Teresa, 68, have five children, including Guillaume: Prince Félix, 39, Prince Louis, 37, Princess Alexandra, 33, and Prince Sébastien, 31.
Guillaume and his wife Stéphanie, 40, have two sons: Charles, three, and François Henri Louis Marie Guillaume, who turned one last month.
It comes as Prince Felix and Princess Claire of Luxembourg welcomed their third child, Prince Balthasar Felix Karl, earlier this year.
The baby was born on January 7 at the Grand Duchess Charlotte Maternity Hospital in central Luxembourg and weighed eight pounds.
Claire, 38, and the baby, seventh in line to the throne, are said to be in ‘perfect health’.
The outlet, which reported on a conversation the Grand Duke had with the Place Royale program, also revealed that he said it is “obvious” that he wants to “retire at some point.”
His comments follow a series of abdication rumors among Europe’s royal family after Queen Margrethe of Denmark made the shock decision to give up the throne after 52 years, making way for her son Frederik to take over on January 14 . Pictured: the late Queen Elizabeth II with the reigning monarchs of Europe in 2002
Proud grandmother Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg, 67, started working on it Instagram to share a selection of family photos with Balthasar.
She wrote: ‘What an enormous joy the arrival of Balthazar, our seventh grandchild, born on January 7 in Luxembourg.’
The Grand Duchess of Luxembourg shared the first complete family photo with Prince Felix, Princess Claire and their three children: Princess Amalia, nine, Prince Liam, seven, and Prince Balthasar.
In the first photo, Claire held baby Balthasar in her arms next to Felix, while Amalia and Liam looked equally adorable on the hospital bed.
In another shot, seven-year-old Liam sweetly offered his younger brother a kiss on the forehead, while his sister Amalia kissed his head.
The Grand Duke and Duchess of Luxembourg also posed for the camera with baby Balthasar.
In her New Year’s speech, Margrethe abdicated the throne and passed the baton to her son Frederik
However, King Harald of Norway has confirmed he has no plans to step down following speculation he could follow in his former Danish counterpart’s footsteps.
Maria looked as glamorous as ever in a pink silk blouse as she held the newborn in her arms.
Meanwhile, Henri looked dapper for the occasion in a pinstripe suit. Already a loving grandfather, the royal grandfather looked proudly at his seventh grandchild as he lay in his hands.
It comes after news that Princess Alexandra of Luxembourg is expecting her first child with husband Nicolas Bagory after the couple married earlier last year.
The princess, 31, married French businessman Nicolas, 33, in a civil ceremony at Luxembourg City Hall in April.
The royal baby will be eighth in line to the Luxembourg throne, regardless of gender, but will not have a title as it is usually inherited from the father.
In 2011, Luxembourg’s succession rules were revised to allow women in the line of succession – adding Princess Alexandra along with her future children.
For her civil wedding to Nicolas, Alexandra opted for a sleek cream wedding suit instead of a dress, while the groom wore a crisp navy blue suit with a light blue tie.
After the ceremony, the beaming couple stood on the steps outside City Hall and waved to the adoring fans who had gathered to see them.
A week later, Alexandra and Nicolas continued their wedding celebrations as they tied the knot in a lavish religious ceremony in Bormes-les-Mimosas, in southeastern France.
Alexandra looked elegant for the occasion in a flowing, off-white dress. Her dress fell slightly off the shoulder, with pleated details.
The princess opted for a long veil decorated with beads and mother-of-pearl decorations. She also wore a lavish tiara and kept her makeup natural for the occasion.
Alexandra was accompanied by her father, Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, as she entered Saint Trophyme Church in Bormes-les-Mimosas for the religious event.
Her mother Maria Teresa, the Grand Duchess, was seen entering the church moments earlier in a striking navy blue and green fitted dress.
Alexandra and Nicolas announced their engagement in November 2022.