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During his Christmas address on 24 December 2024, Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, announced his pending abdication from the throne of Luxembourg, which will occur on 3 October 2025 in favour of his eldest son, Guillaume.

Background

Per tradition by the Grand Ducal family of Luxembourg, the monarch, prior to their abdication, typically appoints their heir apparent as Lieutenant-Representative (regent), meaning they assume most of their constitutional powers to prepare them prior to acceding to the throne. On 28 April 1961, Prince Jean of Luxembourg was made Lieutenant-Representative by his mother, Charlotte, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, to prepare him for the position. Charlotte abdicated in his favour on 12 November 1964. Similarly, Jean made his son, Henri, Lieutenant-Representative on 4 March 1988, before he formally abdicated on On 7 October 2000.

During the twentieth anniversary of his accession to the throne and following the release of the Waringo report, Henri was asked by the Luxembourg Times whether circling rumours of his imminent abdication were true. Henri said an abdication "isn't possible" and added that it would "be like surrendering". In April 2024, following the abdication of Margrethe II of Denmark, Henri was interviewed by La Libre and was questioned on his possible future retirement. Henri answered that he "intends to retire at some point" and confirmed, "There are plans. There will come a day when it will have to be done, and I intend to retire at some point. It's obvious." He explained that his future abdication had been planned and discussed in "family consultation" and when asked whether he knew when it would occur, he responded, "Yes, but I won’t tell you that!"

Announcement

During his official birthday speech on 23 June 2024, Henri signified that he planned to abdicate in the future and announced that he would begin transferring his constitutional powers, roles and positions to his eldest son and the heir apparent, Guillaume. Henri said during his address, "I would like to inform you that I have decided to appoint Prince Guillaume as Lieutenant-Representative in October. It is with all my love and confidence that I wish him the best of luck." The Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Luc Frieden, named the announcement "the beginning of a next chapter for our monarchy" and explained that he had been in discussions with Henri regarding the matter "for some time". He agreed with Henri's decision to announce it on 23 June, the national holiday, as "the grand duke is the symbol of" Luxembourg. It was later announced in July 2024 that Guillaume's appointment as Lieutenant-Representative would occur on 8 October 2024. On 8 October, Guillaume was sworn in as Lieutenant-Representative at Luxembourg Palace, followed by in the Chamber of Deputies. Henri commented, "I really want to give Prince Guillaume a lot more responsibility, because I think I really need to slow down."

The year 2024 is drawing to a close, and Christmas is the perfect time to reflect on the past year. This time, I do so with great emotion, as it is the last time that I will deliver the Christmas speech as Head of State.

On 24 December 2024, during his annual Christmas address, Henri officially announced that he would abdicate the throne on 3 October 2025 in Guillaume's favour. Henri's opening line announced his abdication and he commented, "Prince Guillaume has been Lieutenant-Représentant since 8 October and is preparing intensively for his accession to the throne". Henri described his feelings of "deep gratitude and humility" when reflecting on the past 25 years of his reign and noted that he and his wife, Maria Teresa, were "pleased to have been able to be part of that journey". Henri justified his abdication by citing that "most" of his generation had reached the time of retirement, saying that "the time has now come" and calling it a "natural process". Additionally, he also reassured his trust in Guillaume and his wife, Stéphanie, saying, "I know that they will do their utmost to contribute to the well-being of our country."

Pending abdication

Henri's abdication will occur on 3 October 2025, four days prior to what would have been his Silver Jubilee.

References

1. "H.R.H. Grand Duke Jean". monarchie.lu. Cour grand-ducale. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
2. "HRH Grand Duke Jean". Service information et presse du gouvernement luxembourgeois. Archived from the original on 12 July 2011. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
3. "H.R.H. Grand Duke Jean". Cour grand-ducale. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
4. Starbuck, Lydia (7 October 2020). "Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg rejects abdication rumours as he marks 20th anniversary of his reign". Royal Central. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
5. Lambert, Yannick (1 October 2020). "Just as scandal hits, Grand Duke powers to be curtailed". Luxembourg Times. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
6. Burack, Emily (22 April 2024). "Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg Plans to Abdicate". Town & Country. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
7. Van de Woestyne, Francis (14 April 2024). "Le grand-duc Henri de Luxembourg : "Je suis un homme heureux. Mais je n'ai pas pu choisir ma destinée"" (in French). La Libre Belgique. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
8. Shipley, Diane (21 April 2024). "Another European monarch plans surprise abdication - details". Hello!. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
9. ^ "Luxembourg's grand duke to start handover of power to son". Le Monde. 23 June 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
10. Henni, Janine (9 July 2024). "Royal Court of Luxembourg Reveals Date When Grand Duke Henri Will Begin Transfer of Power to His Son". People. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
11. Stacey, Danielle (8 October 2024). "Grand Duke Henri hands over major role to Prince Guillaume as he prepares for abdication". People. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
12. ^ Hurtado, Alexandra (24 December 2024). "Royal announces plan to abdicate in his Christmas speech". Hello!. Retrieved 26 December 2024.

• 2024 in politics
• 2025 in politics
• Monarchy of Luxembourg
• Abdication