Prince Guillaume will ascend to the throne of Luxembourg as early as next year
Jametlene Reskp, Unsplash
Luxembourg is preparing for a major political event: the transfer of power from Grand Duke Henri to his son, Prince Guillaume. This will be the seventh such change in the history of the ducal dynasty, reflecting a natural generational transition.
Prince Guillaume has been acting as Lieutenant-Representative of Grand Duke Henri since October 2024, which is the traditional preparatory step. Guillaume himself has characterised this function as a "double trust" - from his father and the Head of State. This right is granted by the Luxembourg Constitution, which allows for the delegation of some powers to the heir, including administrative tasks, thus easing the transition.
In his Christmas address, Grand Duke Henri emphasised the importance of the coming transition. He expressed confidence that Guillaume and his wife, Princess Stéphanie, would "do their utmost for the good of the country". He also noted that his own generation is ready to step aside, entrusting the running of the state to young leaders capable of making the world a more sustainable and peaceful place.
Guillaume will be lieutenant-president for only 1 year, although there have been instances in the dynasty's history where this phase has lasted up to three years. The handover ceremony in 2025 will not only be a farewell to the era of Henri's nearly 25-year reign, but also the beginning of a new chapter under Guillaume's leadership.
