Accession to the Throne

Programme – Friday, 3 October 2025

Following the appointment, on 8 October 2024, of HRH the Hereditary Grand Duke as Lieutenant-Représentant, Luxembourg will celebrate 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.

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

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

The ceremony will take 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 will 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, will also be in attendance.

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

Swearing-in ceremony of HRH Grand Duke Guillaume

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

The public session will take 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 will be 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 will then take 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, will return to the Grand Ducal Palace. The new Grand Ducal Couple, accompanied by Their Royal Highnesses Prince Charles and Prince François, will appear on the balcony to greet the public. They will be joined by Their Royal Highnesses Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, together with the Belgian and Dutch Royal Families.

The public will then be invited to gather on Place Guillaume II. The new Grand Ducal Couple and guests will walk from the Grand Ducal Palace to the Town Hall, where a formal session will be 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 will then meet the public during a walkabout on Place Guillaume II, before proceeding on foot to the Cercle Cité.

Government Reception at the Cercle Cité

At the Cercle Cité, the Government will host a reception for European and national institutions as well as the diplomatic corps, resident and non-resident. Guests will 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.

Private Meeting between Emmanuel Macron and Luc Frieden

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

Gala Dinner at the Grand Ducal Palace

The day will conclude 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 will also be present.

Programme – Saturday, 4 October 2025

During the Grand Duke’s tour across the country, the Grand Ducal Couple will be welcomed in different municipalities by members of the Government.

• Grevenmacher

HRH the Grand Duke, accompanied by the Minister of the Economy, SME, Energy and Tourism, Lex Delles, and the Minister for Home Affairs, Léon Gloden, will visit the 'Op Flohr' stadium under the theme: 'Sport as a vehicle to highlight voluntary work'. Volunteers and those dedicated to promoting sport and athletes will be honoured.

Without the passion and commitment of numerous volunteers, no dynamic community life could exist.

• Wiltz

Their Royal Highnesses the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess will be welcomed by the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Viticulture and Minister for Consumer Protection, Martine Hansen, together with the Minister for Culture and Minister Delegate for Tourism, Eric Thill. The Grand Ducal Couple will attend a participatory video installation and three musical performances at the amphitheatre of Wiltz Castle.

• Steinfort

HRH the Grand Duke will visit the Intercommunal Hospital of Steinfort (HIS), accompanied by the Minister for Family Affairs, Solidarity, Living Together and Reception of Refugees, Max Hahn, and the Minister of Health and Social Security, Martine Deprez. He will meet with healthcare staff and patients, thereby highlighting all those who serve society tirelessly, even in times of celebration.

• Dudelange

The Grand Ducal Couple, together with the Minister of Education, Children and Youth, and Minister of Housing and Spatial Planning, Claude Meisch, the Minister of Finance, Gilles Roth, and the Minister of Sport and Minister of Labour, Georges Mischo, will attend a vibrant and inclusive walking performance. The production will blend dance, acrobatics, freerunning, percussion, circus, different musical genres, spoken word, and feature a remarkable number of artists from Luxembourg and abroad.

• Luxembourg City

The Grand Ducal Couple, carried by a dynamic orchestral performance, will advance onto the Grand Duchess Charlotte Bridge, surrounded by a representation of society and a multicoloured ballet of trams. On the Glacis square, a tailor-made drone show will follow, along with a unique concert showcasing the diversity and talent of Luxembourg’s music scene.

Programme – Sunday, 5 October 2025

In the presence of members of the Grand Ducal Family, members of the Government, members of Parliament, as well as representatives of the Council of State, the judiciary, the municipal council of Luxembourg City, and the diplomatic corps, a solemn Mass with Te Deum will be celebrated under the presidency of the Archbishop of Luxembourg, Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Luxembourg (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Luxembourg).