Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg has released a statement after allegations against his wife, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa have circulated in the Luxembourgish and European press.
The statement, written at the hospital bedside of his brother-in-law in ICU in Geneva, was released by the Grand Ducal Court in Luxembourgish, French, English and Spanish.
He called the accusations against Maria Teresa “unfair” and said they were “taking its toll on my whole family.”
The Grand Duke stressed that he and the Grand Duchess will continue to serve Luxembourg after some questioned whether the investigation by the government into the Court finances and actions of the Grand Duchess would force him to abdicate.
His full statement is below:
I am writing to you from my brother-in-law’s bedside in an intensive care unit in Geneva.
Out of a desire for openness, transparency and modernity, I agreed that the internal analysis proposed by the Prime Minister should go ahead.
As we await publication of the report, and indeed throughout this process, articles have appeared in the media making unfair accusations against my wife, the mother of our five children and a devoted grandmother. This is taking its toll on my whole family.
Why attack a woman?
A woman who speaks up for other women?
A woman who is not even being given the right to defend herself?
Since I came to the throne, it has been our shared desire to help modernise our constitutional monarchy, and we wish to continue to contribute to this process.
The causes my wife has fought for, which I have always supported and which we will continue to fight for, are vitally important. This work includes campaigning against dyslexia, fighting sexual violence, improving the status of imprisoned children in Africa, helping to develop microfinance and promoting education for young girls and women. I am proud of the commitment, intelligence and energy my wife brings to bear in all this work. The devotion she has shown over the past 39 years to serving our country by my side is exemplary and is of essential importance to me.
We will continue to serve you; to be there for you and for Luxembourg. Especially at this crucial time when our children are setting out on a family life of their own, we feel bound as parents to ensure that they can make the most of these precious years as our heirs.
Henri
Grand Duke of Luxembourg
The Grand Ducal Court also released several new photos of the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess that were taken recently in Geneva, Switzerland, along with the statement.
Allegations of Grand Duchess Maria Teresa’s behaviour began to swirl in the Luxembourgish media last week.
According to RTL, the Lëtzebuerger Land published a piece on how the Cuban-born Grand Duchess does what she wants without fear of retribution as no one dares to confront her – even Grand Duke Henri.
Grand Duchess Maria Teresa has long been rumoured to be difficult and have a temper. The current Prime Minister is said to be the only one with the courage to confront her. She used to enjoy discussing current events with former Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, but Prime Minister Bettel put a stop to it which reportedly caused issues with the government’s relationship with the Grand Ducal Court.
LSAP MP Alex Bodry revealed that the allegations against Her Royal Highness came from inside the palace, with some sources saying Marshall of the Court Lucien Weiler or the Chief of Staff Michel Heintz were the whistleblowers.
