Accession to the Throne - 3 October 2025

Article

Created on

Last update

Following the appointment, on 8 October 2024, of HRH the Hereditary Grand Duke as Lieutenant-Représentant, Luxembourg celebrates a historic event: the abdication of HRH Grand Duke Henri and the accession to the throne of HRH Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume, on Friday, 3 October 2025.

To follow the livestream on 3 October 2025, please click  here.

Abdication Ceremony of HRH Grand Duke Henri at the Grand Ducal Palace

Proceedings begin with the signing of the Grand Ducal Act of Abdication by HRH Grand Duke Henri at the Grand Ducal Palace. 

Gallery 1

  1. Photo de groupe

    © Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

  2. Cérémonie d’abdication de S.A.R. le Grand-Duc

    © SIP / Julien Warnand

  3. Palais grand-ducal – Cérémonie d'abdication de S.A.R. le Grand-Duc

    © SIP / Julien Warnand

  4. Palais grand-ducal – Cérémonie d'abdication de S.A.R. le Grand-Duc

    © Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

  5. Photo de groupe

    © Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

  6. Palais grand-ducal – Cérémonie d'abdication de S.A.R. le Grand-Duc

    © Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

  7. Palais grand-ducal – Cérémonie d'abdication de S.A.R. le Grand-Duc

    © Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

  8. Palais grand-ducal – Cérémonie d'abdication de S.A.R. le Grand-Duc

    © Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

  9. Palais grand-ducal – Cérémonie d'abdication de S.A.R. le Grand-Duc

    © SIP / Julien Warnand

  10. Palais grand-ducal – Cérémonie d'abdication de S.A.R. le Grand-Duc

    © SIP / Frédéric Sierakowski

  11. Palais grand-ducal – Cérémonie d'abdication de S.A.R. le Grand-Duc

    © SIP / Julien Warnand

  12. Palais grand-ducal – Cérémonie d'abdication de S.A.R. le Grand-Duc

    © SIP / Julien Warnand

  13. Palais grand-ducal – Cérémonie d'abdication de S.A.R. le Grand-Duc

    © Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

  14. Palais grand-ducal – Cérémonie d'abdication de S.A.R. le Grand-Duc

    © Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

  15. Palais grand-ducal – Cérémonie d'abdication de S.A.R. le Grand-Duc

    © Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

  16. Palais grand-ducal – Cérémonie d'abdication de S.A.R. le Grand-Duc

    © Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

  17. Palais grand-ducal – Cérémonie d'abdication de S.A.R. le Grand-Duc

    © Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

  18. Palais grand-ducal – Cérémonie d'abdication de S.A.R. le Grand-Duc

    © Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

  19. Palais grand-ducal – Cérémonie d'abdication de S.A.R. le Grand-Duc

    © Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

  20. Palais grand-ducal – Cérémonie d'abdication de S.A.R. le Grand-Duc

    © Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

The ceremony takes place in the presence of national dignitaries, including the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Claude Wiseler, the Prime Minister, Luc Frieden, the Deputy Prime Minister, Xavier Bettel, Honorary Ministers of State Jean-Claude Juncker and Jacques Santer, as well as the Mayor of the City of Luxembourg, Lydie Polfer. 

Foreign dignitaries attending the abdication include: Their Majesties the King and Queen of the Netherlands, accompanied by the Hereditary Princess, HRH Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands, Princess of Orange; Their Majesties the King and Queen of the Belgians, accompanied by the Hereditary Princess, HRH Princess Elisabeth, Duchess of Brabant; the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, and her husband Ukko Metsola; and the President of the European Council, António Costa.

The siblings of HRH Grand Duke Henri and HRH Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume, together with their spouses, as well as the suites of Their Royal Highnesses the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess, are also in attendance.

During this ceremony, HRH Grand Duke Henri signs the Grand Ducal Act of Abdication, countersigned by the Prime Minister. A speech by the Prime Minister follows.

Swearing-in ceremony of HRH Grand Duke Guillaume

Following the signing at the Grand Ducal Palace, the procession moves to the Chamber of Deputies for the swearing-in of HRH Grand Duke Guillaume. 

Gallery 1

  1. Déplacements successifs du palais grand-ducal à l’Hôtel de la Chambre des députés

    © SIP / PANCAKE! Photographie

  2. Déplacements successifs du palais grand-ducal à l’Hôtel de la Chambre des députés

    © PANCAKE! photographie

  3. Déplacements successifs du palais grand-ducal à l’Hôtel de la Chambre des députés

    © CHD/Pierre Matgé

  4. Cérémonie de prestation de serment de S.A.R. le Grand-Duc

    © SIP / Frédéric Sierakowski

  5. Cérémonie de prestation de serment de S.A.R. le Grand-Duc

    © SIP / Frédéric Sierakowski

  6. Cérémonie de prestation de serment de S.A.R. le Grand-Duc

    © SIP / Frédéric Sierakowski

  7. Cérémonie de prestation de serment de S.A.R. le Grand-Duc

    © SIP / Frédéric Sierakowski

  8. Cérémonie de prestation de serment de S.A.R. le Grand-Duc

    © SIP / Frédéric Sierakowski

  9. Cérémonie de prestation de serment de S.A.R. le Grand-Duc

    © SIP / Frédéric Sierakowski

  10. Cérémonie de prestation de serment de S.A.R. le Grand-Duc

    © SIP / Frédéric Sierakowski

  11. Cérémonie de prestation de serment de S.A.R. le Grand-Duc

    © SIP / Frédéric Sierakowski

  12. Cérémonie de prestation de serment de S.A.R. le Grand-Duc

    © SIP / Frédéric Sierakowski

  13. Cérémonie de prestation de serment de S.A.R. le Grand-Duc

    © SIP / Frédéric Sierakowski

  14. Cérémonie de prestation de serment de S.A.R. le Grand-Duc

    © SIP / Frédéric Sierakowski

The public session takes place in the plenary chamber, in the presence of the Members of Parliament, the members of the Government, the royal guests, and the foreign dignitaries. The Act is read before the Deputies, followed by an address by the Prime Minister, Luc Frieden, and a speech by the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Claude Wiseler. The swearing-in of HRH Grand Duke Guillaume then takes place, followed by the Throne Speech delivered by HRH the Grand Duke as Head of State, and the signing of the Golden Book.

Appearance of the Grand Ducal Family on the balcony of the Grand Ducal Palace

At the close of the ceremony at the Chamber of Deputies, the Grand Ducal Family, accompanied by foreign and national dignitaries, returns to the Grand Ducal Palace. The new Grand Ducal Couple, accompanied by Their Royal Highnesses Prince Charles and Prince François, appears on the balcony to greet the public. They are joined by Their Royal Highnesses Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, together with the Belgian and Dutch Royal Families.

Gallery 1

  1. Apparition de la famille grand-ducale sur le balcon du palais grand-ducal

    © SIP / Claude Piscitelli

  2. Apparition de LL.AA.RR. le Grand-Duc et la Grande-Duchesse sur le balcon du palais grand-ducal

    © SIP / Claude Piscitelli

  3. Illustration du palais grand-ducal à l’occasion de l’avènement au trône de S.A.R. le Grand-Duc

    © SIP / Claude Piscitelli

  4. Apparition de LL.AA.RR. le Grand-Duc et la Grande-Duchesse, de S.A.R. le prince Charles et de S.A.R. le prince François ainsi que de LL.AA.RR. le Grand-Duc Henri et la Grande-Duchesse Maria Teresa sur le balcon du palais grand-ducal

    © SIP / Claude Piscitelli

The public is then invited to gather on Place Guillaume II. The new Grand Ducal Couple and guests walk from the Grand Ducal Palace to the Town Hall, where a formal session is held, including an address by the Mayor of Luxembourg City, Lydie Polfer, and the signing of the Golden Book. 

Their Royal Highnesses the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess then meet the public during a walkabout on Place Guillaume II, before proceeding on foot to the Cercle Cité.

Gallery 1

  1. Séance solennelle – Hôtel de Ville

    © Maison du Grand-Duc / Kary Barthelmey

  2. Séance solennelle – Hôtel de Ville

    © SIP / Raoul Gilbert

  3. Séance solennelle – Hôtel de Ville

    © Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

  4. Séance solennelle – Hôtel de Ville

    © Maison du Grand-Duc / Kary Barthelmey

  5. Séance solennelle – Hôtel de Ville

    © Maison du Grand-Duc / Kary Barthelmey

  6. © Maison du Grand-Duc / Kary Barthelmey

  7. Séance solennelle – Hôtel de Ville

    © Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

  8. Séance solennelle – Hôtel de Ville

    © SIP / Frédéric Sierakowski

Government Reception at the Cercle Cité

At the Cercle Cité, the Government hosts a reception for European and national institutions as well as the diplomatic corps, resident and non-resident. Guests file past the new Grand Ducal Couple, accompanied by the Prime Minister, Luc Frieden, and the Deputy Prime Minister, Xavier Bettel, to greet Their Royal Highnesses the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess.

Gallery 1

  1. Cercle Cité : Réception offerte par le Gouvernement

    © SIP / Claude Piscitelli

  2. Cercle Cité : Réception offerte par le Gouvernement

    © SIP / Claude Piscitelli

  3. Cercle Cité : Réception offerte par le Gouvernement

    © SIP / Julien Warnand

Meeting between Emmanuel Macron and Luc Frieden

On the sidelines of the official ceremonies, the Prime Minister, Luc Frieden, receives the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, for a bilateral meeting at Senningen Castle. 

 

Gallery 1

  1. (from left to right) Luc Frieden, Prime Minister; Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic

    © SIP / Emmanuel Claude

  2. (from left to right) Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic; Luc Frieden, Prime Minister

    © SIP / Frédéric Sierakowski

  3. (from left to right) Luc Frieden, Prime Minister; Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic

    © SIP / Emmanuel Claude

  4. (from left to right) Luc Frieden, Prime Minister; Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic

    © SIP / Frédéric Sierakowski

  5. (from left to right) Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic; Luc Frieden, Prime Minister

    © SIP / Julien Warnand

  6. (from left to right) Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic; Luc Frieden, Prime Minister

    © SIP / Julien Warnand

Gala Dinner at the Grand Ducal Palace

The day concludes with a gala dinner at the Grand Ducal Palace, attended by numerous guests, including the Dutch and Belgian Royal Families, the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, and his spouse, Brigitte Macron, as well as the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and his spouse, Elke Büdenbender. The President of the Chamber of Deputies, the Prime Minister, and the Deputy Prime Minister, accompanied by their spouses are also present.

Gallery 1

  1. Dîner de gala au palais grand-ducal – Copyright : Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

    © Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue & Kary Barthelmey

  2. Dîner de gala au palais grand-ducal

    © SIP / Frédéric Sierakowski

  3. Dîner de gala au palais grand-ducal

    © SIP / Frédéric Sierakowski

  4. Dîner de gala au palais grand-ducal – Copyright : Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

    © Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

  5. Dîner de gala au palais grand-ducal

    © SIP / Frédéric Sierakowski

  6. Dîner de gala au palais grand-ducal

    © Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

Play YouTube video, see caption below

Trounwiessel - Arrival of guests at the Grand Ducal Palace (Video/Audio YouTube)

Related article

Member of the Government

Organisation

Ministry of State 
Information and Press Service

Topic

Event date

03.10.2025