The Grand Ducal Family’s 2020 may not have started as they had hoped with the investigation into what occurred in the Grand Ducal Court and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa’s involvement. However, by May, the year turned around with the birth of the Hereditary Grand Ducal Couple’s longed-for baby, Prince Charles. Let’s take a look at the Grand Ducal Family’s 2020:
January:
The Grand Ducal Family hosted a grand New Year reception and added tiaras this year. The following day, allegations began to swirl in the Luxembourgish media about Grand Duchess Maria Teresa’s behaviour. This came as the government’s investigation into staff operations was due within weeks. A week after the reports surfaced on the Grand Duchess, Grand Duke Henri released a statement defending his wife.
However, the Waringo Report was released on the last day of the month. It revealed that a culture of fear dominated the Grand Ducal Court. The 44-page report was first presented to the Government Council before being put on the government website for the public to read. It stressed that the functioning of the monarchy must be reformed.
February:
Tessy Antony de Nassau wrote an article for us in February about her experience at the World Economic Forum. Also that month, the judicial police in Luxembourg launched a preliminary investigation into the alleged physical violence against employees at the Grand Ducal Court. The Prime Minister, Xavier Bettel, also said that there was “no planned role for the Grand Duchess” within the monarchy’s reforms. At the end of the month, the Grand Duchess agreed to be the patron of “Esch2022 – European Capital of Culture”.
March:
The Grand Duke spoke to the Luxembourgish people and urged them to take the COVID-19 pandemic seriously. Tessy Antony de Nassau also helped to find the new face of Sofitel Hotels Group global.
April:
April began on a sad note as Grand Duchess Maria Teresa’s uncle died from the coronavirus.
May:
The Grand Ducal Family remembered the late Grand Duke Jean with a virtual Mass. The highlight of the year came on 10 May as Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie gave birth to her first child, a son named Prince Charles Jean Philippe Joseph Marie Guillaume. The first photos of Prince Charles were released later that same day when the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess met their grandson on a video call.
Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume was almost jumping with joy as he spoke to the press that afternoon. Official photos were also released of the newborn three days later. The happy family left hospital a few days after Charles’s birth, and the next day Guillaume signed his son’s birth certificate.
June:
Tessy Antony de Nassau received Professor Honoris Causa from Institute of Brain Chemistry and Human Nutrition. Prince Charles also featured in some historic photos with his father and grandfather.
Luxembourg had a very scaled-down National Day celebration with the Grand Duke praising his country’s efforts in fighting the pandemic during his speech. Grand Duchess Maria Teresa also got her own Twitter account that same month.
July:
Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie undertook her first engagement since giving birth, and she and her husband thanked the public for the support since Charles was born.
August:
Tessy Antony de Nassau received the Freedom of the City of London award, and Prince Paul-Louis graduated from Sandhurst.
September:
Grand Duke Henri visited a COVID screening centre, and Prince Charles was christened. A few days later, the baby royal was honoured with a tree-planting ceremony.
October:
Grand Duke Henri marked 20 years on the throne in October and rejected the rumours that he would abdicate. Tessy Antony de Nassau launched her fashion brand, Human Highness.
Prince Charles was honoured again; this time, a rose was named after him. The Grand Duke addressed his people again as COVID cases began to increase.
November:
Tessy’s online store launched in November for Human Highness.
December:
Prince Félix and Princess Claire shared a Christmas message, and baby Prince Charles shined again in new Christmas images released by the Grand Ducal Court.
Grand Duke Henri spoke to his people on Christmas Eve and focused on the pandemic during his remarks.
