Visit of Their Royal Highnesses the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess to Madrid – Second Day

At the invitation of Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain, Their Royal Highnesses the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess visited Madrid on 5 and 6 March 2026. The Grand Ducal couple was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Xavier Bettel, Minister of the Economy, SME, Energy and Tourism Lex Delles, and Minister of Finance Gilles Roth.

Friday 6 March 2026

After a first day of political and economic discussions, the second day of Their Royal Highnesses the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess's visit was devoted to academic meetings.

The Grand Ducal couple and members of the government visited IE University in Madrid. The university has expanded its range of courses while maintaining a strong focus on innovation, entrepreneurship and training internationally-minded leaders. It brings together around 10,000 students, academics and researchers from more than 160 countries and maintains an extensive network of academic partners worldwide.

The Managing Director, Diego del Alcázar Benjumea, the Rector of IE University, Dr Manuel Muñiz, and the Dean of the IE School of Politics, Economics & Global Affairs, Enrico Letta, invited Their Royal Highnesses the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess, as well as the ministers, on a brief guided tour of the IE Tower, the Madrid campus, inaugurated in 2021, in the heart of the capital's financial district. This visit was followed by a working session.

HRH the Grand Duke then delivered a speech entitled "Europe at a Crossroads: Navigating a Time of Profound Change", addressing the major challenges facing Europe in a global context marked by profound geopolitical, economic and technological change. Speaking to students and academic representatives at IE University, the Head of State emphasised the importance of European cooperation, innovation and multilateralism in addressing these challenges and strengthening the continent's resilience. On this occasion, he emphasised that "the European Union and its institutions are a remarkable testament to what can be achieved when nations choose to join forces and invest in a common future. They remind us that cooperation can transcend borders, that solidarity can bring about tangible progress, and that a true community of values can chart the course for our future. When we act together, our collective strength becomes a powerful lever for stability, prosperity and progress. In the current geopolitical context, unity remains our most valuable asset, guided by the deep conviction that Europe's true strength lies in its ability to seek and build solutions together. This speech was followed by a question and answer session attended by Ministers Lex Delles and Gilles Roth. A meeting was also organised with Luxembourgish students enrolled at the university.

Press release by the Information and Press Service / Ministry of Mobility and Public Works and the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade / Ministry of the Economy / Ministry of Finance / Maison du Grand-Duc