Thursday, June 19, 2014

Coming Up: The New National Day

The Grand Duke's official birthday, better known as Luxembourg's National Day, is less than a week away. While the event celebrated on June 23rd traditionally is the most important event on the grand ducal calendar each year, this year will be a bit different as Luxembourg's new(-ish) government did make some changes to its course.

Two things that remain unchanged are the Grand Ducal and Hereditary Grand Ducal Couples' visits during the afternoon hours on the day before the actual national day. While the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess will visit Rosport this year, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie will make their traditional visit to Esch-sur-Alzette. In the evening, the family will come together for the torchlight parade. However in difference to previous years, the Family will now watch the parade at the Place des Martyrs and not on Place Guillaume II.

On Monday at 10am, the newly introduced official ceremony will take place at the Grand Théâtre in Luxembourg City. The event will be attended by Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria-Teresa, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie, as well as Prince Félix, Prince Louis and Prince Sébastien.

At around 12pm, the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess as well as the Hereditary Grand Duke and Hereditary Grand Duchess will watch the military parade in the Avenue de la Liberté.

The Te Deum, which isn't part of the official celebrations anymore, will still be attended by members of the Grand Ducal Family. Grand Duke Henri, Grand Duchess Maria-Teresa, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume, Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie, Prince Félix, Prince Louis and Prince Sébastien are all expected to the present for the religious service which will start at 4:30pm at the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Luxembourg.

The most imporant event of the day for all jewel lovers will start at 8pm. The cour grand-ducale has not published details on who will attend the national day gala though I can happily tell you that photographers will be allowed to take pictures during the welcoming of the guests, so let's keep our fingers crossed for a lot of sparkly goodies! (Honestly, I'm fine with everything as long as we get something...)

On Wednesday and Friday next week, two garden parties will be hosted at the Château de Berg.

In addition to the events by the members of the Grand Ducal Family, the Maréchal de la Cour Pierre Bley will represent the Grand Duke at a Protestant, a Jewish and an Orthodox mass each during the upcoming days.

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