Royalty in the News » Luxembourg

2011 Nobel Prizes Given Out in Sweden

Megan M — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 21:12:08 +0000

Over in neighboring Sweden, the rest of the Nobel Prizes were handed out, with the Swedish royal family witnessing the event. While some may see the Nobel ceremony as a time to honor the achievements of the winners, others see it as a major a fashion event, especially for the royal women.

Check out more photos at Daylife.com

King Carl XVI Gustaf, Queen Silvia, Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Daniel and Prince Carl Philip were present for the ceremony. The Queen wore the same gown she wore to the pre-wedding events of Victoria and Daniel back in June 2010. The Crown Princess looked stunning in a deep blue sequined dress which flaunted her pregnancy. She is six months along, by the way.

Also in attendance, as guests, were the Grand Ducal couple of Luxembourg. Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa were at the Nobel ceremony because one of the laureates was from Luxembourg.

During the event, at the Stockholm Concert Hall, King Carl Gustaf personally gave the prizes to the recipients in the areas of medicine, literature, economics, physics and chemistry. The winners were:

Medicine: Canadian Ralph Steinman, who died just three days before it was announced he won. His wife, Claudia, took home the medal in his place. The other two were Bruce Beutler of the United States and Luxembourg-born Frenchman Jules Hoffmann

Literature: Swedish poet Tomas Transtroemer

Economics: Thomas Sargent and Christopher Sims of the United States

Physics: Saul Perlmutter and Adam Riess of the United States and US-Australian Brian Schmidt

Chemistry: Daniel Shechtman of Israel

The Nobel Prize laureates take home a gold medal, a diploma, and 10 million kronor ($1.48 million dollars, 1.10 million euros), which is shared if there is more than one recipient.

After the ceremony was complete, the royal family escorted some of the winners out of the Concert Hall and led them to the banquet where 1,400 guests gathered for fine dining. The menu consisted of lobster with pickled winter vegetables and Jerusalem artichoke purée, Guinea hen with porcini mushrooms and lingonberries, poached pearl onions with parsley roots and velouté sauce Mandarin and white chocolate mousse on a cinnamon-spiced cake with raspberry marmalade and fresh raspberries.

Sources: AFP, NobelPrize.org

Grand Duchess Maria Teresa Gives Out Edward Steichen Award

Megan M — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 00:33:00 +0000

Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg was on hand to give out the fourth annual Edward Steichen award Thursday. The ceremony took place at the Musée d’Art Moderne Grand-Duc Jean, or MUDAM as it is known.

Click here for original photo

This year’s recipient of the award went to 32 year old Polish born artist Maria Loboda, who divides her time between London and Berlin.

Another winner took home a new addition of the Edward Steichen award, called the Resident Edward Steichen, Luxembourg, New York City. It went to Claudia Passeri, who spends her time in Luxembourg and Perugia.

The Edward Steichen award has been given out every two years since 2005 to emerging talent between the ages of 25-35 in the field of contemporary art. The winner is invited to spend six months at the International Studio and Curatorial Program in New York City.

As for the new award, that is given to someone younger than 35 years old, who also gets to spend time at the International Studio and Curatorial Program, but only for three months instead.

Sources: Wort, Le Quotidien

HGD Guillaume Visits United Arab Emirates

Megan M — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 04:01:09 +0000

Since Sunday, Luxembourg’s Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume has been on an official tour of the United Arab Emirates. He is there for both an economic mission and to open his country’s 35th embassy in Abu Dhabi.

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The embassy is the first one in any Arab country. Usually in nations that do not have a Luxembourg embassy have to rely either on a Dutch or Belgian one to deal with the tiny Grand Duchy. Guillaume opened that embassy on Sunday with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

“The well-maintained bilateral relations between both countries for over 40 years now, will be strengthened further through business and trade activities,” said Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn, who added that the establishment of the embassy is “long overdue”.

Also attending the inauguration was Sheikha Lubna Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, the Minister of Foreign Trade of the UAE. She and Guillaume met to discuss bilateral economic and trade issues.

Next stop was Dubai. There, His Royal Highness met with Sheikh Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum, a member of the emirate’s ruling family. Again, there were talks over bilateral ties.

Also in Dubai, the Luxembourg delegation went to the Big 5 Show, International Fair of Construction and Building. Ten Luxembourg business representatives met with hundreds of visitors.

Next stop was Ras Al-Khaimah where the Hereditary Grand Duke was welcomed by Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, who rules the emirate. The two discussed ways for Luxembourg to broaden its ties with Ras Al-Khaimah. Speaking to reporters, the Sheikh said, “The economic diversification program implemented by the government has created a fairly diversified economy in the emirate which has strived to espouse an economic vision of openness to become relevant in a rapidly evolving and interconnected global economy.”

After touring the United Arab Emirates, Guillaume will stop by Qatar once again for his economic mission there.

Sources: Wort, Le Ministere de l’Economique et du Commerce exterieur, Khaleej Times

Maria Teresa & Tessy Attend Red Cross Bazaar

Megan M — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:25:55 +0000

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This past Sunday saw Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg attend the Red Cross Bazaar with her daughter-in-law Princess Tessy and two grandsons, Princes Gabriel and Noah.

This was one of the rare times to see Tessy perform any royal engagements, besides National Day or the closing of the Octave. It was also a rare moment to see her two boys, whom have certainly gotten big since they received the style HRH and became Princes of Nassau in 2009.

The Red Cross Bazaar helps the people of the Grand Duchy who are facing difficulties.

During the Bazaar, Maria Teresa and Tessy checked the booths and even let Gabriel and Noah do some face painting.

The Princess is married to the Grand Duchess’ third son, Prince Louis.

Source: Luxarazzi

HGD Guillaume Gives Interview in Time for 30th Birthday

Megan M — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 23:53:02 +0000

This Friday marks the 30th birthday of one of Europe’s most eligible bachelors, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg. This week he met with several journalists and told them how he feels about the role of monarchy in a modern age, and him becoming head of state one day. He also discussed his day to day life and also his personal life.

Click here for more recent photos of HGD Guillaume

“This is my reality and I accept it,” Guillaume said about his destiny as Grand Duke. “I grew up with the knowledge that I will one day take over this office. My parents prepared me for this task. It is a process.”

The Hereditary Grand Duke was asked if there’s any need for a constitutional monarchy in Luxembourg. “The monarchy must be a role outside politics,” he said.

“It is good that the president can exercise as chief executive, the role of an arbitrator. The responsibility of the monarchy, it is also responsible for the identity of Luxembourg to the outside world. The monarch was to fulfill this task as worthy and as good as possible. The role of the monarchy is also in preserving the continuity and tradition of the country.”

Guillaume admitted that when he meets with other European royals, they discuss this issue together. “We talk a lot about the future of the monarchy in Europe and I think we all agree on one fact: we must look ahead and meet the expectations of our people, not forgetting our history.”

He went on to describe his daily life, which entails spending Mondays going over with his parents – Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa – about the weekly activities. He then spends the remainder of the week either performing duties or doing office work by writing and answering letters.

“How do you respond to people who accuse you of having an easy life?” one reporter asked Guillaume.

“I invite them to come and see,” he laughed. “One would think maybe not from the outside but the Palace is a mini-enterprise. The best way to represent Luxembourg is as a real job. It requires much preparation, the pace is very demanding and busy days. We are far from at least 40 hours.”

His Royal Highness said despite his busy schedule, he does spare time for himself. That is when he plays tennis, goes to movies or dines with friends. Some weekends he even goes out of Luxembourg with those pals.

Guillaume said that he would like a family of his own, but it can be tough to meet someone given his status. “You must be very clear about research to ensure that the person in front of you is really there for what you are and not for what you represent. But I think seriously about starting a family. I was fortunate to grow up with many brothers and a sister and that’s something I would also like to give to my children.”

When asked about his weaknesses, he was very forthcoming about that. “My forte is probably that I approach people on the course. This spontaneity I inherited from my mother. I would interpret as a weakness, that I still must continue to strive to cultivate myself and read a lot.”

One reporter brought up the constitutional changes made to the role of the Grand Duke back in 2009, when the power to sign laws into power was taken away from Guillaume’s father. The Hereditary Grand Duke said it was best for that to happen.

“My father wanted us to change the Constitution so that there is a genuine respect for the separation of powers. There was an interference by the executive in the legislature that had no purpose. With this reform, there is more logic. I thank my father because he really had the right to have a conflict of conscience at the time. Such a situation does not occur again with his decision.”

Guillaume said if he were not to be head of state one day, he would’ve been a businessman. He also admitted he is not ready to take over for his father, saying he needs several years of more training. Henri is his role model, as well as former U.N. Secretary Generall Kofi Annan.

When asked how is the pressure being the heir to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Guillaume was nonchalant. “Actually, I do not feel much pressure. For me the best way to exert my duty is to be myself. I always want to do everything well, and that is a pressure in of itself.”

Sources: Le Quotidien, Wort.lu

Grand Duke Henri’s Visit to Vietnam

Megan M — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 22:15:12 +0000

His Royal Highness Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg is on a three day visit to Vietnam. He is in the country to strengthen ties between the two nations.

Click here to see more photos

The Grand Duke was greeted by Truong Tan Sang, the President of Vietnam, at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi. After an official welcoming ceremony and inspection of the honor guard, the two heads of state sat down for talks.

Afterward, there was a signing of the understanding on the provision of expertise and technical assistance to the financial sector, capacity building and training. The signing was done by Luxembourg’s Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Action, Marie-Josée Jacobs and Vietnam’s Minister of Planning and Investment Bui Quang Vinh, with the Grand Duke and President Truong witnessing it.

Later, Henri went to the Bach Mai hospital that benefits from the Handicap International Luxembourg and is supported by his country’s government. The project focuses on those with spinal cord injuries.

In the evening, the Grand Duke was a guest of honor at a dinner banquet at the Government Guest House. During the banquet, he spoke about the close ties between Vietnam and Luxembourg. “Relationships are in the process of moving towards a broader partnership, more balanced and more based on economic cooperation,” Henri said.

He also said that his country is willing to invest in Vietnam, because Luxembourg wants “to become a hub for distribution in Europe of high quality Vietnamese products.”

For the remainder of his stay, Grand Duke Henri will lay a wreath at National Monument of Heroes and Martyrs tomorrow. He will also visit the city of Hue, which is recognized by UNESCO for its World Heritage of Humanity. In Hue, there is an 11th century temple dedicated to Confucius.

Henri will also visit cooperation projects throughout Vietnam during his visit.

Source: Gouvernement.lu, Wort.lu

Grand Duchess Maria Teresa Helps Burundi’s Young Delinquents

Megan M — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 22:45:34 +0000

Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg opened a photo exhibit Friday, along with representatives from a charity in Burundi, a country located in eastern Africa. This exhibition is not just about art; it is about the plight of Burundi’s children who are imprisoned for years over minor acts.

Click here for original Wort.lu article

“Often children end up 12 or 13 years behind bars because they have stolen a goat or a flat iron,” Maria Teresa told reporters.

Once released, those children are left to fend for themselves in a poor country.

The Grand Duchess learned firsthand about this issue during her visit to Burundi in June 2009 as part of her role as a UNICEF ambassador. So affected, she turned the organization called Shalom House which aims mainly to help war orphans. Together with the Fondation du Grand-Duc et de la Grande-Duchesse, Shalom House began to find ways to help the delinquents find hope.

“They learn trades they can use later: auto mechanics, masons, carpenters,” said Grand Duchess Maria Teresa.

So far, 108 young people have benefited from this program. At the same time, good lawyers have successfully helped sentences in 157 cases be reduced.

This project relies on donations, though, and little is done in Burundi about juvenile delinquents. However, the Grand Duchess expressed how please she was with the people of Luxembourg responding positively to this cause.

Source: Wort

HGD Guillaume’s Economic Mission to China

Megan M — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 01:12:38 +0000

Luxembourg’s Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume is on a four day economic mission to China.

View more photos at Monarchie.lu

He arrived in the country with the Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade, Jeannot Krecké, Monday though a day late due to technical problems on their Lufthansa plane. Guillaume and Krecké had to stay overnight at a Munich hotel before trying again successfully to fly to China. As a result of their lateness, the duo and their delegation had to skip engagements in Hong Kong and instead go straight to nearby Shenzhen.

In the city, His Royal Highness and the Minister took a look at the premises of the company Huawei and High-Tech Park of Shenzhen. In addition, they went to BYD, a car manufacturing company that makes electrical vehicles.

After Shenzhen, the Luxembourg delegation will spend two days in Chongqinq, a city known for its high-tech economy. They will visit Chongqinq’s airport.

Next, Guillaume and Krecké will go to Shanghai to visit the offices of the joint venture SAIC-VW (Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation – Volkswagen) and participate in the seminar Luxembourg for Finance.

Sources: Luxarazzi, Gouvernement.lu

Luxembourg Grand Ducal Couple Attend Bishop Consecration

Megan M — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 23:00:52 +0000

Click here to see more of the Bishop's concentration

On Sunday, Luxembourg’s Grand Ducal couple witnessed the concentration of Jean Claude Hollerich as the eighth bishop and third archbishop of the archdiocese of Luxembourg.

The deeply religious Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa were among several hundred attendees of the ceremony at Notre Dame Cathedral.

The church service lasted three hours. It was conducted in Luxembourgisch – which is a dialect of German – French, English, German and Japanese. The latter happened because the now Archbishop Hollerich once lived and worked for years in Japan. At Sophia University in Tokyo, Hollerich was last rector of the Jesuit community and vice-president of the university.

Source: Wort.lu

Luxembourg Royals Vote in Local Elections

Megan M — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 18:07:47 +0000

Click here for slide show at Tageblatt Online

Members of the Grand Ducal family of Luxembourg came out to do their patriotic duty by voting in the tiny country’s local elections Monday. Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and his brother Prince Felix voted in the capital’s municipality, while younger brother Prince Louis and wife Princess Tessy cast their ballots in Colmar-Berg.

Luxembourg is voting for politicians running for such offices as the mayor of Luxembourg, the capital not the country.

Source: Tageblatt