Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie of Luxembourg visited the “Art Glaziers Bauer & Rathmann” atelier on Thursday, 21 October, alongside Tom Oberweis, President of the Chamber of Trades.
The couple represents the fourth generation of royals to visit the business, and they were welcomed and given a tour by current managers Sandrine Bauer and Matthias Rathmann.
The business was founded in 1891 by the Linster family and was revived in 1974 by Bernard Bauer, whose descendant, Sandrine, still manages the structure today.
The Grand Ducal Court website shared many images of both Prince Guillaume and Princess Stéphanie trying their hand at the craft, which consists of repairing stained glass according to the technique with which it was built.
Stained glass was created with different techniques, depending on the availability of materials at the time, and Art Glaziers Bauer & Rathmann makes sure to replicate those materials as closely as possible, only changing them when they are revealed to be a health hazard (like lead-based paint).
Art Glaziers Bauer & Rathmann’s expertise was utilised to restore with historical accuracy the stained glass windows in the Grand Ducal Palace and the Notre Dame of Luxembourg Cathedral, among many other sites.
Both places hold a special significance for the royal couple, as Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie just celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary. The pre-wedding gala dinner was held at the Grand Ducal Palace on the evening of 19 October 2012, and the religious ceremony was held in Notre Dame de Luxembourg Cathedral the following day.
The Hereditary Grand Ducal Couple has been promoting Luxembourgish craftsmanship and artistic abilities as long as they have had active roles in the Grand Ducal Family, as well as doing their part to highlight the best the country has to offer to the outside world.
