National Day 2025 - Eve

On the occasion of the public celebration of the birthday of His Royal Highness the Grand Duke, the Grand Ducal couple and their children, together with members of the Government, will attend the festivities organised in Mondercange, Esch-sur-Alzette and Luxembourg City on 22 and 23 June 2025. The 2025 edition is particularly significant, as it marks the 25th anniversary of the reign of His Royal Highness the Grand Duke.

22 June 2025

Changing of the guard in front of the Grand Ducal Palace

The National Day festivities will begin on Sunday, 22 June at 4 pm in front of the Grand Ducal Palace, with the Changing of the Guard, in which an Army honour detachment, under the command of Lieutenant Joé Kayser, will take part.

The musical arrangement will be provided by the Military Band, conducted by Lieutenant-Colonel Jean-Claude Braun, Head of the Military Band.

The Hereditary Grand Ducal Couple in Mondercange

This year, TRH the Hereditary Grand Duke and the Hereditary Grand Duchess are visiting Mondercange, in the canton of Esch-sur-Alzette, in the south of the country.

The Hereditary Grand Ducal Couple is welcomed at 5 pm on the village square, the Duerfplaz, by the Vice-President of the Chamber of Deputies, Mars Di Bartolomeo; the Minister for Family Affairs, Solidarity, Living Together and Reception of Refugees, Max Hahn; the Minister of Finance, Gilles Roth; the Minister of Health and Social Security, Martine Deprez; and the Mayor of Mondercange, Jeannot Fürpass. The Wilhelmus is performed by the Mondercange Municipal Band.

Following the presentation of the local authorities, TRH the Hereditary Grand Duke and the Hereditary Grand Duchess lay a wreath at the war memorial.

At the "A Bosselesch" centre, a meeting space for both young and elderly residents, the Hereditary Grand Ducal Couple visits the exhibition "10 Years of A Bosselesch". Explanations are provided by Lisa Bremer, Head of Department at the association ‘Gestionnaires d’infrastructures, de services sociaux et d’intégration’ (GIM asbl). The visit is followed by an exchange with the residents.

TRH the Hereditary Grand Duke and the Hereditary Grand Duchess then proceed to Molter Park to attend a ceremony that includes, among other elements, a speech by Mayor Jeannot Fürpass and a musical performance by pupils of the Mondercange primary school, accompanied by the Mondercange Municipal Band and the 'Monnerecher Jongbléiser.

A visit to various stands offers the Hereditary Grand Ducal Couple an opportunity to meet with representatives of local associations. The Hereditary Grand Duke and the Hereditary Grand Duchess then light the campfire in the presence of resident guides and scouts.

The programme concludes with an exchange with the residents of Mondercange during a reception hosted by the municipality.

The Grand Ducal couple in Esch-sur-Alzette

On the eve of National Day, Their Royal Highnesses the Grand Duke and the Grand Duchess attend the celebrations in Esch-sur-Alzette, the country’s second-largest city.

At 5 pm, the Grand Ducal Couple is welcomed on Place de la Résistance by the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Claude Wiseler; the Minister of Sport and Minister of Labour, Georges Mischo; the Mayor of the City of Esch-sur-Alzette, Christian Weis; as well as by the Board of Aldermen and the Municipal Council.

After the official welcome, a wreath is laid at the foot of the war memorial. TRH the Grand Duke and the Grand Duchess then walk along Rue de l’Alzette, accompanied by the official procession. The route includes several stops highlighting key moments in the history and recent development of the City of Esch-sur-Alzette. Upon arrival at City Hall, the Grand Ducal Couple takes their place on the official stand to watch a parade featuring around forty local associations.

Following a reception hosted by the City of Esch-sur-Alzette, the Grand Ducal Couple greets the public from the balcony of the Town Hall, before attending the Escher Volleksfest public festival, where they light the traditional campfire of the Luxembourg Scouts.

Message from the Prime Minister

In the early evening of 22 June, Prime Minister Luc Frieden gives the traditional National Day speech.

Flame torch procession and fireworks in Luxembourg

In the evening, TRH the Grand Duke and the Grand Duchess, accompanied by TRH the Hereditary Grand Duke and the Hereditary Grand Duchess, attend the celebrations organised by the City of Luxembourg. They are joined by HRH Prince Félix, HRH Prince Louis, HRH Prince Gabriel, HRH Prince Noah, HRH Princess Alexandra and Mr Nicolas Bagory, HRH Prince Sébastien, HI&RH Archduchess Marie-Astrid and Archduke Christian of Austria, HRH Princess Margaretha and HSH Prince Nikolaus of Liechtenstein, HRH Prince Guillaume and HRH Princess Sibilla, as well as Catalina Esteve, sister of HRH the Grand Duchess, and Nicole Mestre, sister-in-law of HRH the Grand Duchess.

The Grand Ducal Couple, the royal children and members of the Grand Ducal Family are welcomed by the Mayor of the City of Luxembourg, Lydie Polfer, and the First Alderman, Maurice Bauer. After the presentation of the college of aldermen, the Grand Ducal family follows the military band's aubade and the traditional flame torch procession from a platform set up in front of the Town Hall on the Place Guillaume II.

The procession of associations taking part in the torchlight parade — comprising around 2,500 participants — includes firefighters, various local sports and music associations from the City of Luxembourg, guides and scouts, as well as multicultural groups representing singing, dance and folklore.

The fireworks display, launched from the Adolphe Bridge, lasts 17 minutes and is accompanied by a musical composition by Maxime Bender. It marks the conclusion of the official programme of the 22 June festivities.

Press release by the Information and Press Service (SIP)