SUPPORT OUR JOURNALISM: Please consider donating to keep our website running and free for all - thank you!

Luxembourg

Grand Ducal Family to celebrate 100th anniversary of Grand Duchess Charlotte’s accession

On 26 November 2019, the Luxembourgish Grand Ducal Family will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Grand Duchess Charlotte’s accession to the throne as announced by the Grand Ducal Court this week.

The family will attend the screening of the movie Léif Lëtzebuerger at the Philarmonie. The 2008 movie tells the story of Grand Duchess Charlotte during World War II in English, French and Luxembourgish. The Grand Duchess was considered a strong symbol of the resistance for the country as even while in exile London, she broadcasted regular messages to her people on the BBC. Grand Duchess Charlotte and her family returned to Luxembourg in 1945.

Grand Duke Henri and the Prime Minister will make speeches. According to Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa’s wishes, the event will be opened to the public.

Grand Duchess Charlotte was born on 23 January 1896 as the second daughter of Grand Duke William VI and his wife Grand Duchess Marie Anne. She acceded to the throne on 14 January 1919 following the abdication of her sister Grand Duchess Marie-Adelaide. Grand Duchess Marie Adelaide was forced to abdicate in favour of her sister following her perceived support of German forces during the First World War. Following the abdication, a referendum was held on 28 September 1919, and the Luxembourgish people accepted to keep the monarchy with Grand Duchess Charlotte as Head of State although they also voted for a new constitution which severely restricted the power of the monarch. Grand Duchesses Marie Adelaide and Charlotte were respectively the first and second Grand Duchesses regnant of Luxembourg.

Grand Duchess Charlotte married Prince Félix of Bourbon-Parma (1893-1970) on 6 November 1919, and they had six children together: Prince Jean (1921-2019), Princess Elisabeth (1922-2011), Princess Marie-Adelaide (1924-2007), Princess Marie Gabriele (b. 1925), Prince Charles (1927 – 1977) and Princess Alix (1929-2019). She abdicated the throne in 1964 and was succeeded by her son Prince Jean. Grand Duchess Charlotte is thus the grandmother of Grand Duke Henri. Grand Duchess Charlotte died on 9 July 1985.