The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg had been in personal union with the Kingdom of the Netherlands from 1839 until the death of King Willem III of the Netherlands in 1890. Upon his death, the Netherlands passed to his daughter Wilhelmina, but Luxembourg passed to a distant male relative who became Adolphe, Grand Duke of Luxembourg.
The current Grand Duke is Adolphe’s great-great-great-great-grandson Henri. He became Grand Duke in 2000 when his father, Jean, abdicated in his favour.
Luxembourg is a constitutional monarchy, and Grand Duke Henri’s duties are mainly representative. Upon a Grand Duke’s (or Grand Duchess’) accession, they swear an oath to the constitution, “I swear to observe the Constitution and the laws of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, to maintain national independence and territorial integrity as well as public and individual freedoms.”
He does retain the power to appoint the prime minister and the government; he can dissolve the Chamber of Deputies, promulgate laws and accredit ambassadors. The Grand Duke is also commander-in-chief of the Luxembourg Army and holds the rank of general.
As part of his representative duties, the Grand Duke represents Luxembourg in foreign affairs. Henri’s first State Visit occurred in 2001 when he and his wife, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, were invited to Spain by King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía of Spain.
There has been one occasion where the Grand Duke refused to give his assent to a new law. In 2008, a new law of euthanasia had been passed by the Chamber of Deputies, and his approval was needed for the law to take effect. Ultimately, it was decided that the Grand Duke would be declared temporarily unable to fulfil his duties so that the law could be passed without the signature of the Grand Duke. The constitution was amended the following year to remove the term “assent,” which meant that, although the Grand Duke’s signature was still needed, the signature was automatic. This means that “the sovereign reigns but does not govern.”
The Grand Duke cannot be prosecuted and is not subject to any jurisdiction, and any action falls under ministerial responsibility. The constitution also provides money for the Grand Duke, which is called the Civil List. This allows him independence to exercise his duties as head of state.
In Luxembourg, justice is rendered in the name of the Grand Duke, but he cannot interfere in the exercise of judicial powers. He only reserves the right of pardon.
Read more about the monarch’s role in Luxembourg here.
