The Grand Ducal Family of Luxembourg gathered to celebrate their tiny country’s national day on Wednesday. Even though festivities began the night before, June 23rd is the actual day of the holiday.
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Celebrations took place in the towns of Diekirch, Esch-sur-Alzette and the capital city, also called Luxembourg. The latter saw Grand Duke Henri lay wreath at the war memorial on Tuesday, with the rest of his family present. That was followed by a changing of the guard at the Palace.
Later that same day, Henri and his wife, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, went to Diekirch, which is celebrating its 750th anniversary this year. The couple were welcomed by Mayor Jacques Dahme, and went for a stroll through the village’s old district with Dahme. Henri and Maria Teresa stopped at one point to lay flowers at a memorial.
Meanewhile, in Esch-sur-Alzette, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and his sister, Princess Alexandra, were paying a visit. They were welcomed by Lydia Mutsch, the mayor of the town, and they also laid a wreath at a war memorial. The brother and sister then went to the balcony of the Hotel de Ville, where they waved to the people below. After that, Guillaume went to the Escher Volleksfest, where he lit the traditional campfire scouts.
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In the evening, the Grand Ducal family reunited back in Luxembourg City, where they attended more festivities which included an elaborate fireworks display.
The next day, the family attended the Te Deum Mass at Our Lady of Luxembourg. That was followed by a 101 gun salute from Fetschenhaff.
The family then gathered to watch a military parade, along with Prime Minister Claude Juncker.
The one royal family member missing from the celebrations was Prince Felix, who was believed to be busy with his job at a Swiss firm.
At the same time, Prince Sebastien displayed his Ordre du Lion d’Or de la Maison de Nassau in public for the first time. He received the knighthood on his 18th birthday back in April, and got a chance to wear his medal for National Day, even though it was small one.
It was a night of celebration as Sweden and royals from all over the world marked Saturday’s wedding between Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel Westling. Just like her parents had 34 years ago, Victoria and her fiancè were a given a special concert at the Royal Concert Hall in Stockholm. Pop acts and classical artists played through the night as if it were a final hurrah before tomorrow’s big event.
First arriving at the Hall was the House of Bernadotte. When she got out of the car, Crown Princess Victoria wowed the crowd waiting for her. Beaming and radiating of joy, the Crown Princess waved as the people gave her and Daniel a four-fold cheer.
They walked up the red carpet behind her parents, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia. Bringing up the rear were her two younger siblings, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Madeleine.
After the Swedish royal family came the friends and relatives of the royal couple, and the Swedish government leaders. Then came the royals from all over Europe, plus Japan and Jordan. The royal guest list even included those who are from deposed monarchies, such as Romania and Serbia.
All in all, 1,600 guests.
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Once inside, everyone dined amongst each other before the big concert. Those who haven’t seen each other in a while were able to say hello, such as Denmark’s Crown Princess Mary and Spain’s Crown Princess Letizia.
King Carl XVI Gustaf gave a small speech during the dinner, thanking the Prime Minister for allowing the wedding to take place – after all, the wedding of an heir to the throne needs government approval.
“We can all see how happy and engaged the engaged couple looks,” the King went on to say. “They really… You can feel the joy and youth and optimism in their eyes. We can all feel the warmth and happiness also in this hall and during this day.”
At about a quarter to nine local time, all those in attendance were in the Hall. Everyone stood and sang when the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra played the Swedish national anthem. Even Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II, who’s mother was a Swedish Princess, sang along.
Right after that, the orchestra began to play “Party Song” and right in the middle of the stage, lights went on, illuminating two
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figures holding hands. Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel Westling had made their appearance. They received a standing ovation as they made their way to two seats in the front row especially made for them. With that, the concert began.
It was clearly a joyous occasion for everyone in the Hall. Ballet was performed, the opera classic “Nessun Dorma” was sung – even pop and jazz acts played. The host of the event also poked playful fun at the royals in attendance. At one point, the group Jazz Divas of Scandinavia were about the perform and the host gave a nod to the Scandinavian Crown Princesses – Victoria, Mette-Marit and Mary. The women had a good laugh about it.
But the biggest act to perform that night was probably the 80s Swedish pop duo, Roxette, said to be one of Victoria’s favorite bands. As the band played “The Look,” everyone in the hall clapped along and a few – such as Norway’s Princess Martha Louise – moved their heads to the song. Once done, there was a standing ovation for Roxette.
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The concert came to a close when all the singers returned to the stage and together sang Elvis Presley’s classic, “Can’t Help Falling In Love.” As they did with the Roxette song, many of the royals sang along.
Overall, it was an emotional event for everyone. Queen Silvia was seen wiping away some tears and it looked as if King Carl Gustaf was getting teary-eyed. Even Princess Madeleine looked red in the eyes – as did Queen Margrethe and Dutch Queen Beatrix.
With that, the pre-wedding events were over. Tomorrow comes the wedding of the year as Crown Princess Victoria marries her love – and a former gym owner from a small village in central Sweden becomes Prince Daniel.
This past Saturday, the regent couple of Luxembourg inaugurated the exhibition “The Golden Age Reloaded” following renovations at Villa Vaubanon, a museum in the Grand Duchy’s capital city.
Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa were joined by Dutch Queen Beatrix, who was there because this exhibit celebrates the golden age of Dutch art.
The museum has 80 paintings being showcased. “The Golden Age Reloaded” is a collaboration between the Villa Vauban and the internationally renowned Rijksmuseum Amsterdam.
The latter sent works by Frans Hals, Paulus Potter, Govaert Flinck, Jan van Goyen and Jacob van Ruisdael to the Villa Vauban for an exhibition which will run until October 31st 2010.
Imagine being in Stockholm Thursday and Friday. One would’ve seen a sight often seen at royal weddings, funerals and coronations! It was the gathering of nine royal women, plus two royal men to-be, coming together for the 20th anniversary of the United Nation’s Child Convention.
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Queen Silvia of Sweden brought together the Queens of Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, as well as the Crown Princesses of Norway and Denmark, and finally the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg to mark this event. All of them have to some degree worked for the rights of children, particularly Silvia, with her World Childhood Foundation.
The royal women first met at the royal palace to discuss children’s rights. The Convention, signed by every country in the world besides Somalia and the United States, is to ensure children’s safety and welfare – both civil, political, economic, cultural and social rights.
After that, they went to the children’s center in Stockholm as part of the Convention’s anniversary.
Later on, the ladies held a conference, which also featured Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria and Princess Madeleine.
In the evening, there was a gala at Berwaldhallen. This time, Victoria and Madeleine’s fiancees, Daniel Westling and Jonas Bergstrom attended. This was the first time either man officially attended a royal event.
Tuesday began Ireland’s President Mary McAleese’s state visit to Luxembourg. The grand duchy’s family played host to Mrs. McAleese, who is the first Irish leader to make such a visit to the micro-state.
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Grand Duke Henri and his son and heir, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume, welcomed the Irish President in the morning. The national anthems of both countries during the official ceremony, and Henri and McAleese reviewed the troops. The two also laid a floral wreath at the Monument of Luxembourg.
Afterward came the President’s meeting with Luxembourg’s politicians, including Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies.
In the evening, there was a state banquet in McAleese’s honor.
Tomorrow, Mrs. McAleese will visit a monastery, discuss Ireland’s relationship with the European Union at an abbey, and then have lunch with Juncker. A meeting with Irish nationals living in this tiny country will tale place, and then the President would head back to the Emerald Isle.
This event also marks Grand Duchess Maria Teresa’s first engagement since her surgery last month. She was not expected to make many appearances, and it is uncertain if she was at the state banquet.
On Wednesday, the Grand Ducal family of Luxembourg released new photographs to coincide with the 9th anniversary of Grand Duke Henri’s ascencion to the throne.
The reason for the new portraits may have to do with the family’s newest members – Princess Tessy, the wife of Prince Louis, and her two young boys, Princes Gabriel and Noah. Tessy and her sons were given the style “Royal Highness” during National Day celebrations earlier this year.
Click here to see more photographs of the Grand Ducal family.
The Grand Duchess of Luxembourg was released from St. Luc Hospital in Brussels Saturday. She was there for a surgery, believed to be a gynecological one because of the doctor who did the operation.
Dr. Jacques Donnez is a world renowned gynecological surgeon. It is speculated that Maria Teresa might have had a hysterectomy, much like Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall had some time ago.
According to the Grand Ducal Court, the Grand Duchess is now resting at Castle Berg back in Luxembourg.
It’s been announced by the Grand Ducal Court of Luxembourg that Grand Duchess Maria Teresa underwent surgery at St. Luke’s Hospital in Brussels, Belgium.
It is not known when exactly the surgery took place or what it was for, but the Court said the Grand Duchess’ procedure went without any complications.
Tuesday June 23rd marks Luxembourg’s national day, and as every year it’s Grand Ducal family was present for the celebrations.
But before everything began, Grand Duke Henri had some exciting news for his subjects: His daughter-in-law, Tessy Antony who is married to Prince Louis, received the title of Her Royal Highness Princess Tessy of Luxembourg.
Even more, Tessy’s two baby sons with Prince Louis, Gabriel and Noah, were stylized as Princes of Nassau, but not as Luxembourg. This is because only those who are the children of the current or former reigning monarch can be the Prince or Princess of Luxembourg.
Back in 2006, Prince Louis and Tessy had in Gabriel out of wedlock, and married later that year. Louis renounced his rights to the Grand Duchy around this time.
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Also receiving a title was Princess Alexandra. The only daughter of Henri and Maria Teresa became a knight in the Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau. Despite earning this title, Alexandra was not present for the National Day celebrations, since she was taking University finals.
But her parents were there. They began the day in the city Ell, where they both laid floral wreaths at the Monument des Mars. They then met with the city council, and visited local preschoolers. The royal couple were accompanied by government officials.
At nightfall, the House of Nassau – along with the new Princess Tessy – gathered in Luxembourg City to see the fireworks, and a torchlit parade. The Grand Ducal family walked from the palace to Place Guillaume to give Luxembourgers a chance to see their royal family.
Sunday saw the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg begin her week long tour of two African countries as part of her role as UNICEF’s “Eminent Advocate for Children.”
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Maria Teresa was in Burundi from Sunday till Wednesday, and will spend Thursday and Friday in Kenya.
On Monday, the Grand Duchess went to projects for the reintegration of child soldiers and young girls who become mothers through rape.
She then later went on to a prison in Bujumbura, Burundi’s capital, to meet with incarcerated women, and to meet with the children they gave birth to while in prison.
In addition, Maria Teresa met with AIDS orphans or children who have the illness.
While she is in Kenya, the Grand Duchess will attend the international conference “Diagnostic to Action – Microfinance in Africa”, organized by the Women’s World Banking. She will also stop by the Dream Center (Drug Resource Enhancement against AIDS and Malnutrition), which is renowned for its work on AIDS treatment.
This visit to Africa also coincides with the 20th anniversary of the International Convention of Children’s Rights.
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