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Royal News

Luxembourg gets a new ruler today: here’s what will happen as an abdication and accession unfold

By
3rd October 2025

Luxembourg gets a brand new ruler and consort today and it will all happen in historic ceremonies in the heart of the tiny country.

Grand Duke Henri, who has reigned for 25 years, will step aside in favour of his eldest son, Prince Guillaume.

He’ll become the new Grand Duke and his wife, Stephanie, will become the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg. The heir to the throne will be their elder son, Prince Charles, who is just five years old.

It’s set to be a day of pageantry and emotion – here’s what to expect as a new reign begins.

Simple ceremony to sign away a throne

The day of history begins at 10am, Luxembourg time, as Grand Duke Henri walks into a state room at the Grand Ducal palace for a simple ceremony in which he will sign an instrument of abdication.

Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg’s reign has lasted 25 years

He will be accompanied by his wife, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa. His son, and the soon to be new ruler, will also be at his side. Prince Guillaume and Princess Stephanie will watch as Henri writes his name across the document. In that instant, power shifts and Guillaume and Stephanie are transformed into the Grand Duke and Duchess of Luxembourg.

A formal promise to start a new reign

The new Grand Duke and Grand Duchess will then travel the short distance to Luxembourg’s parliament where, just after 11am, Guillaume will make a pledge in the Chamber of Deputies in his swearing in ceremony.

Guillaume and Stephanie will travel to the Chamber of Deputies as Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg

Stephanie will watch – it is expected other members of the Grand Ducal family will also be present. The King and Queen of the Belgians and the King and Queen of the Netherlands will watch the abdication and accession with the two countries’ heirs, Princess Elisabeth and Princess Amalia.

Emotional appearance on the palace balcony

At 12.15pm, the new Grand Duke will lead Luxembourg’s royal family out on to the ducal palace balcony for the first time.

The Grand Ducal Palace will be at the heart of Luxembourg’s historic day
(Suicasmo, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wiki Commons)

Large crowds are expected to gather to see Guillaume, Stephanie and their two children, Charles and two year old Francois. It’s also an opportunity to mark the end of the reign of Grand Duke Henri.

People and politicians at the start of a new reign

At 1.10pm, the new Grand Duke and Grand Duchess are due at Luxembourg Town Hall and soon afterwards, will go on a walkabout at the Place Guillaume II where they will meet wellwishers.

Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stephanie
The new Grand Duke and Grand Duchess will be celebrated by politicians
(© Maison du Grand-Duc / Christian Aschman)

At 1.50pm, they are due at a reception being held by the government. It will mark the culmination of an historic morning which transformed a prince into a ruler.

Gala dinner to start a new reign

On the evening of the first day of his reign, the new Grand Duke will host a gala dinner at the Grand Ducal Palace. The Kings and Queens of the Netherlands and the Belgians will be there along with the President of France and the President of Germany.

The new Grand Duchess could swap small tiaras for one of the grandest in Europe once she’s consort
(Cour Grand Ducal Instagram still/ fair use)

This could also be tiara time as the royal family will be in full gala mode. The new Grand Duchess may even wear the biggest tiara in the royal collection for the first time. The Empire tiara has been the preserve of Luxembourg’s Grand Duchess for a century and, as of 10am on October 3 2025, only Stephanie is allowed to wear it.

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About author

Lydia Starbuck is Editor in Chief at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra.Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024.June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station.June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.