State visit to Luxembourg by the President of the Republic of Finland, Alexander Stubb, and Suzanne Innes-Stubb - First day

At the invitation of TRH the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess, the President of the Republic of Finland, Alexander Stubb, and Suzanne Innes-Stubb are on a State visit to Luxembourg on 29 and 30 September 2026. The presidential couple is accompanied by Finland's Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering, Joakim Strand.

This is the first State visit to Luxembourg since the accession to the throne of HRH the Grand Duke.

Tuesday, 29 September

The President of the Republic of Finland and his wife are officially welcomed by TRH the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess on the forecourt of the Grand Ducal Palace. The welcoming ceremony continues with the national anthems and an inspection of the troops. Following a 21-gun salute and the presentation of the respective authorities and delegations, Alexander Stubb and Suzanne Innes-Stubb are received at the Grand Ducal Palace for a meeting with the Grand Ducal couple, followed by an exchange of gifts.

The Finnish Head of State, accompanied by his wife, then lays a wreath at the National Monument of Luxembourg Solidarity, in the presence of Prime Minister Luc Frieden and the future Chief of Defence of the Luxembourg Army, General Claude Robinet. On leaving the chapel, the Finnish presidential couple greets the standard-bearers, members of the Committee for the Remembrance of the Second World War and representatives of patriotic movements and associations.

Back at the Grand Ducal Palace, the Finnish Head of State successively receives the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Claude Wiseler, Prime Minister Luc Frieden, and the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs, Xavier Bettel.

Meanwhile, Suzanne Innes-Stubb and HRH the Grand Duchess visit the National Museum of Archaeology, History and Art (MNAHA), where they are given a guided tour in the presence of its director, Tania Brugnoni. The visit gives them an opportunity to explore the museum's collections and highlights.

The presidential couple and TRH the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess continue their discussions over a private lunch at the Grand Ducal Palace. Xavier Bettel, for his part, hosts a lunch in honour of Finland's Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering, Joakim Strand.

In the early afternoon, the Finnish presidential couple and TRH the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess are welcomed at Luxembourg City Hall by Mayor Lydie Polfer for a formal ceremony, in the presence of the college of aldermen and the municipal council. Musical accompaniment is provided by a brass ensemble from the Conservatoire of the City of Luxembourg.

The Finnish Head of State then visits the European Investment Bank (EIB), where he is welcomed by its President, Nadia María Calviño. He subsequently holds a one-to-one meeting with the EIB President. This is followed by an informal exchange with members of the Management Committee and Directors-General of the Bank, Finnish members of staff, and representatives of former Vice-President Stubb's office and the Finnish delegation. The visit has particular significance for President Stubb, who served as EIB Vice-President and member of its Management Committee from 2017 to 2020.

Alexander Stubb continues his programme with a visit to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), where he is welcomed by its President, Koen Lenaerts, and meets judges and Finnish members of staff.

Meanwhile, Suzanne Innes-Stubb and HRH the Grand Duchess visit the National Centre for Victims of Violence (CNVV), an innovative initiative launched in 2025 by the Ministry for Gender Equality and Diversity in cooperation with several partner ministries and managed by the Luxembourg Red Cross. On arrival, they are welcomed by the Minister for Gender Equality and Diversity, Yuriko Backes, the Director General of the Luxembourg Red Cross, Marc Wagener, and the Head of the CNVV, Ashanti Berrend. They learn about the work of the centre, which provides victims of all forms of violence with specialised, coordinated support across four complementary areas – psychosocial, medical, legal and, on request, police support.

A gala dinner hosted by TRH the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess at the Grand Ducal Palace in honour of the President of the Republic of Finland and his wife brings the first day of the State visit to a close.

Press release by the Information and Press Service (SIP)