Accession to the Throne - 3 October 2025

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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. (from left to right) Luc Frieden, Prime Minister; HRH Grand Duchess Maria Teresa; HRH Grand Duke Henri; HRH Grand Duke Guillaume; HRH Grand Duchess Stéphanie.

    © Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

  2. (from left to right) HRH Grand Duchess Maria Teresa ; Luc Frieden, Prime Minister; HRH Grand Duke Henri ; HRH Grand Duke Guillaume; HRH Grand Duchess Stéphanie.

    © SIP / Julien Warnand

  3. Abdication ceremony for HRH the Grand Duke at the Grand Ducal Palace

    © SIP / Julien Warnand

  4. (from left to right) Claude Wiseler, President of the Chamber of Deputies ; Xavier Bettel, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs ; Lydie Polfer, Mayor of the City of Luxembourg.

    © Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

  5. (from left to right) Xavier Bettel, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs; Luc Frieden, Prime Minister; HRH Grand Duke Henri; Jean-Claude Juncker, Honorary Minister of State.

    © Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

  6. (from left to right) Jean-Claude Juncker, Honorary Minister of State; Jacques Santer, Honorary Minister of State; Lydie Polfer, Mayor of the City of Luxembourg

    © Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

  7. (from left to right) H.M. the Queen of the Netherlands; H.M. the Queen of the Belgians; H.M. the King of the Netherlands; H.R.H. Princess Elisabeth, Duchess of Brabant; H.M. the King of the Belgians.

    © Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

  8. (from left to right) H.M. the Queen of the Netherlands; H.R.H. Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands, Princess of Orange; H.M. the King of the Netherlands

    © Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

  9. (from left to right) Luc Frieden, Prime Minister ; HRH Grand Duchess Maria Teresa; HRH Grand Duke Henri; HRH Grand Duke Guillaume; HRH Grand Duchess Stéphanie

    © SIP / Julien Warnand

  10. Abdication ceremony of HRH the Grand Duke Henri - Brothers and sisters of HRH the Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume with their spouses

    © SIP / Frédéric Sierakowski

  11. (from left to right) Ukko Metsola, husband of Roberta Metsola; Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament

    © SIP / Julien Warnand

  12. António Costa, President of the European Council

    © SIP / Julien Warnand

  13. Abdication ceremony of HRH the Grand Duke Henri - Speech by Prime Minister Luc Frieden

    © Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

  14. (from left to right) HRH Princess Marie- Astrid of Austria; HRH Archduke Christian of Austria

    © Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

  15. (from left to right) HRH Princess Diane ; HRH Prince Jean

    © Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

  16. (from lef to right) HRH Princess Margaretha ; HRH Prince Nikolaus of Liechtenstein

    © Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

  17. (from left to right) HRH Princess Sibilla ; HRH Prince Guillaume

    © Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

  18. Signature of the Grand Ducal Decree of 3 October 2025 abdicating HRH the Grand Duke of Luxembourg by HRH the Grand Duke of Luxembourg

    © Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

  19. Signature of the Grand Ducal Decree of 3 October 2025 abdicating HRH the Grand Duke of Luxembourg by the Prime Minister Luc Frieden

    © Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

  20. (from left to right) HRH Grand Duchess Maria Teresa ; HRH Prince Charles ; HRH Grand Duke Henri

    © 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. Déplacement à pied de LL.AA.RR. le Grand-Duc Guillaume et la Grande-Duchesse Stéphanie à la Chambre des députés

    © SIP / PANCAKE! Photographie

  2. (from left to right) H.R.H. Grand Duchess Stéphanie ; H.R.H. Grand Duke Guillaume ; Claude Wiseler, President of the Chamber of Deputies

    © PANCAKE! photographie

  3. (from left to right) Luc Frieden, Prime Minister ; Xavier Bettel, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs

    © CHD/Pierre Matgé

  4. Swearing-in ceremony for HRH Grand Duke Guillaume

    © SIP / Frédéric Sierakowski

  5. Speech by the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Claude Wiseler

    © SIP / Frédéric Sierakowski

  6. Speech by Prime Minister Luc Frieden

    © SIP / Frédéric Sierakowski

  7. Speech from the throne by HRH the Grand Duke

    © SIP / Frédéric Sierakowski

  8. Taking of the oath (art. 57 of the Constitution) by HRH the Grand Duke Guillaume

    © SIP / Frédéric Sierakowski

  9. Swearing-in ceremony for HRH Grand Duke Guillaume

    © SIP / Frédéric Sierakowski

  10. Arrival of Prime Minister Luc Frieden and Deputy Prime Minister Xavier Bettel

    © SIP / Frédéric Sierakowski

  11. Swearing-in ceremony of HRH Grand Duke Guillaume

    © SIP / Frédéric Sierakowski

  12. Swearing-in ceremony of HRH Grand Duke Guillaume

    © SIP / Frédéric Sierakowski

  13. Swearing-in ceremony of HRH Grand Duke

    © SIP / Frédéric Sierakowski

  14. (from left to right) António Costa, President of the European Council ; Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament

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

    © SIP / Claude Piscitelli

  2. (from left to right) HRH the Grand Duke; HRH the Grand Duchess

    © SIP / Claude Piscitelli

  3. Illustration of the general public

    © SIP / Claude Piscitelli

  4. Appearance of Their Royal Highnesses the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess, HRH Prince Charles and HRH Prince François as well as Their Royal Highnesses Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa on the balcony of the Grand Ducal Palace

    © 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. (from left to right) Xavier Bettel, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs ; HRH the Grand Duchess; HRH the Grand Duke ; Luc Frieden, Prime Minister

    © SIP / Claude Piscitelli

  2. Group photo

    © SIP / Claude Piscitelli

  3. Government Reception at the Cercle Cité

    © 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)

Member of the Government

Organisation

Ministry of State 
Information and Press Service

Topic

Event date

03.10.2025