Closing of the Octave of Our Lady of Luxembourg *

Photo: Isabella Finzi / Luxemburger Tageblatt / Tageblatt.lu

It's the fifth Sunday after Easter, which means it was time for the closing procession of the Octave of Our Lady of Luxembourg, Maria Mater Jesu, Consolatrix Afflictorum, Patrona Civitatis et Patriae Luxemburgensis ("Mary, Mother Jesus, Consoler of the Afflicted, Patroness of the City and Country of Luxembourg"), Luxembourg's most important religious celebration.

Already this morning while the rest of their family went voting, Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria-Teresa attended a ponitifical mass at the Cathédrale Notre-Dame.

Photo: Isabella Finzi / Luxemburger Tageblatt / Tageblatt.lu

After quite a number of no-shows last year, there's no complaining about this year's attendance. There were Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria-Teresa, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie, Prince Félix, Prince Louis and Princess Tessy who brought along Prince Gabriel for his very first Octave procession, Princess Alexandra as well as Prince Sébastien. Princess Claire, who is due to give birth next month, and Prince Noah, who is only six years old, did not take part in the procession. 

The members of the Grand Ducal Family were joined for the procession by numerous regular pilgrims both from Luxembourg and abroad as well as lots and lots of clergymen including five or so bishops. The closing procession let all of them from the Cathédrale de Notre Dame de Luxembourg via the rue Notre-Dame, the rue Philippe II, the avenue de la Porte-Neuve, the rue Beaumont, the rue des Capucins, the Grand-rue, the rue du Marché-aux-Herbes in front of the palais grand ducal, where they stopped for the Eucharistic blessings, and the rue de l’Eau back to the cathedral where the procession ended with ceremonial prayers.

Photo: Pierre Matgé / Luxemburger Tageblatt / Tageblatt.lu

Afterwards, the Grand Ducal Family made their way back the palais, where they were welcomed a brass orchestra as well as curious onlookers, by foot. After a few minutes, the family made a balcony appearance for which they were also joined by Princess Claire and Prince Noah.

FYI, the Grand Duchess wore a Natan outfit which she previously sported on the eve of last year's National Day. Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie is wearing a dress and coat by French design house Weill, she also owns the dress in blue. Princess Tessy looked très chic in a very affordable £68 Warehouse dress as well as in a hat probably made by Jane Taylor.

Visuals of the day can be found at Tageblatt, RTL #1, RTL #2, RTL #3, Wort #1, Wort #2, Wort #3, Manuel Dias, the cour and Pressphoto. RTL also has a video (starting at 20:06).