Stately new portraits of Luxembourg’s future grand duke released

With just over a month to go before Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume ascends to the Luxembourgish throne, the Grand Ducal Court is sharing new photos of him and his wife, Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie.

In one portrait, the future Grand Duke poses alone in a suit. A message accompanying the portraits—which will hang in government buildings and businesses—notes that a future portrait of Guillaume in military dress will be released following his accession, once he attains the rank of General in the Luxembourgish Armed Forces.

In the next portrait, Guillaume poses with Stéphanie, who is wearing a white dress.

The portraits come on the heels of programming for the ‘Trounwiessel’ (change of throne) that has been released over the summer.

In early July, the Grand Ducal Court revealed that Grand Duke Henri will officially abdicate in the morning on October 3, after which a weekend of celebrations will follow as the grand duchy welcomes its new head of state.

Grand Duke Henri stepped back from his role last October, elevating Guillaume to the position of Lieutenant Representative, which grants him the basic day-to-day duties of the head of state in preparation for ascending to the throne. It is the first official step in the process for the Grand Duke to abdicate his position.

After Grand Duke Henri abdicates, an hour later, the new Grand Duke Guillaume will be sworn in at a ceremony at the Chamber of Deputies. A day of celebrations and official ceremonies will follow, and on 4 October, the new Grand Ducal Couple will travel around the grand duchy to meet the people.

On the final day of the Trounwissel weekend, the new Grand Ducal Couple will attend a Te Deum service commemorating his accession at the Notre-Dame Cathedral.