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Luxembourg

Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg celebrates 98th birthday with close family

Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg celebrated his 98th birthday privately yesterday alongside close family at the family’s home at Château de Berg.

In honour of the 98th birthday celebration, the Grand Ducal Court released a photo from the festivities taken by Claude Piscitelli. In the image, the Grand Duke is surrounded by his son, Grand Duke Henri and daughter-in-law, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa and two of their children, Princess Alexandra and Prince Louis. Others in attendance were Jean’s son, Prince Jean and daughter-in-law, Princess Sibilla (wife of his son, Prince Guillaume), as well as several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Photo: Grand Ducal Court / Claude Piscitelli

Those pictured in the back row are Prince Louis,  Countess Marie-Christine de Limburg-Stirum and Rudolph Count of Limburg-Stirum with their son Count Gabriel Diana Countess of Nassau and Prince John, Princess Sibilla, Archduchess Gabriella of Austria with her daughter Victoria, Archduke Alexander of Austria, Princess Charlotte of Nassau, Princess Alexandra.

The middle row has Grand Duke Jean with Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa.

In the front row, Counts Constantine and Leopold, the children of Count Rudolf and Countess Marie-Christine de Limburg-Stirum are seen. 

Grand Duke Jean (then the Hereditary Grand Duke) was born on 5 January 1921 in Château de Berg in Luxembourg to Grand Duchess Charlotte and Prince Félix of Bourbon-Parma. He was followed by five siblings: Princess Elisabeth, Princess Marie-Adélaïde, Princess Marie Gabrielle, Prince Charles, and Princess Alix.

He became the Grand Duke of Luxembourg on 12 November 1964 upon his mother’s abdication. He would later abdicate in favour of his eldest son, Henri on 7 October 2000.

Jean was married to Princess Joséphine-Charlotte of Belgium, and together they had five children:  Princess (now Archduchess) Marie Astrid, Prince (now Grand Duke) Henri, Prince Jean, Princess Margaretha (now of Liechtenstein), and Prince Guillaume.

About author

Brittani is from Tennessee, USA. She is a political scientist and historian after graduating with a degree in the topics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in December 2014. She also holds a master's degree from Northeastern University. She enjoys reading and researching all things regarding the royals of the world. She's been researching, reading, and writing on royalty for over a decade. She became Europe Editor in October 2016, and then Deputy Editor in January 2019, and has been featured on several podcasts, radio shows, news broadcasts and websites including Global News Canada, ABC News Australia, WION India and BBC World News.