Friday, June 30, 2017

Grand Ducal Family Hosts Second Party in the Garden

Photo: Laurent Blum / Luxemburger Wort / Wort.lu
This evening it was time for the second garden party traditionally hosted by the Grand Ducal Family on the occasion of National Day. Once again Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa as well as Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie were on hand to welcome guests from the worlds of politics, culture, sports, press, aid organisations and finance for a reception at the Château de Berg. More pictures of this evening at Wort. For the first garden party, have a look here.

Grand Duchess Supports Survivors of Wartime Sexual Assault

All photos: Mukwege Foundation / Jeppe Schilder
Grand Duchess Maria Teresa visited Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday where she was among the guests for an exhibition by women who survived wartime sexual assault. The exhibition is organised together by Foundation of Dr. Denis Mukwege, a Congolese gynecologist who specialises in the treatment of women who have been gang-raped or suffered other wartime sexual assault during the ongoing violent conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Fondation du Grand-Duc et de la Grand-Duchesse
The Grand Duchess used the occasion to announce the holding of an international symposium in Luxembourg for survivors of wartime sexuael violence on March 8, 2019. Wartime sexual violence is rape or other forms of sexual violence committed by combatants during armed conflict or war or military occupation often as spoils of war; not only but oftentimes in ethnic conflict. 
Dr. Denis Mukwege has dedicated his life to defending, supporting and assisting female survivors of rape. He spends 18 hours a day doing operations to repair the horrific physical damage caused by gang-rape. 
Each month the Panzi Hospital founded by Dr. Mukwege admits more than 400 patients and he is one of only a few doctors qualified to preform the delicate and complex surgeries required to repair vaginal tears and vaginal fistulas that result from these violent assaults. His hospital has provided over 4,000 free surgeries just to treat fistula. These circumstances have led to Dr. Mukwege becoming the world's leading expert on repairing the internal trauma caused by gang-rape and sexual assaults.
The Geneva exhibition is the result of a reflection process initiated by about twenty women who suffered sexual violence from 15 different countries. They met for the first time in Switzerland to initiate a movement in order to work for the fighting and long-term prevention of rape committed during armed conflicts. 
"It is through initiatives like this that women can strengthen their influence and visibility in the prevention of of violence. Together these women are a formidable force that will not be stopped", the Grand Duchess said.
The Grand Duchess has been a supporter of the cause and Dr. Denis Mukwege for a few years no having met him in both 2016 and earlier this year, among others.

Guillaume Marks Asteroid Day

Photo: Cour grand-ducale / Dominique Gaul
Today is Asteroid Day and Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume marked the occasion by receiving a group of people including astronauts Ed Lu, Rusty Schweickart and Jean-François Clervoy at the palais. The Hereditary Grand Duke as well as his wife already met some of today's guests during their trip to the United States earlier this year. Asteroid Day is an annual global event that aims to raise awareness about asteroids and what can be done to protect the Earth.

Thursday, June 29, 2017

Grand Duke Henri Visits Lycée Technique du Centre

Photo: Lycée technique du Centre / Cour grand-ducale
On the 28th, Grand Duke Henri was in Kirchberg to visit the Annex of Lycée technique du Centre and meet with the students there. During the course of the visit, he also viewed the exhibition entitled "Mon pays, mon parcours" (My Country, My Course). Claude Meisch, the Minister of National Education, Children and Youth, was also in attendance.

The Annex of Lycée technique du Centre welcomes around 450 students of 50 different nationalities.

More photos at the Cour website (and also here) and RTL (including an extensive gallery at the latter link), in addition to a video at RTL.

Two Audiences for Guillaume, One for Henri

Photo: Cour grand-ducale
Yesterday, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume welcomed Robert Glaesener, CEO of Talkwalker, as well as Raoul Mulheims, CEO et co-founder of Digicash Payments, at the palais for audiences. Today, Grand Duke Henri received members of Rugby Europe and the Fédération luxembourgeoise de Rugby (FLR) at the palais. The Grand Duke is, of course, also a father of at least one rugby player as Prince Sébastien was a member of Luxembourg's U18 team for two seasons. Visuals of all three audiences at the cour here, here and here.

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Hans-Adam Presents His Book at Arnulf Rainer Museum

Photo: © 2017psb/sap/zVg
On the 26th, Prince Hans-Adam was in Baden, Austria, for the presentation of his book The State in the Third Millennium at the Arnulf Rainer Museum. The presentation occurred at the invitation of the Lions Club (Badens-St Helena). Local politicians Karl Wilfing (second from right) and Johanna Mikl-Leitner (fourth from left) were also in attendance, and the former commented on the Prince's own words about the role of the state in serving the people and specifically reflected on regional  (Lower Austria) administrative changes that reflected this evolving role.

A little more information here and here.

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Garden Party, the First

Photo: Roland Miny
Yes, the British aren't the only one who can throw a good ol' garden party (though this garden party actually starts inside): The Grand Ducal Family hosted the first one of their two traditional national day garden parties today. This year's National Day squad was on hand for the occasion as Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa as well as Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie welcomed guests from the worlds of politics, culture, sports, press, aid organisations and finance for a reception at the Château de Berg earlier this evening. A second garden party will take place later in the week.

Galleries of visuals are available at Tageblatt and RTL.

Two Audiences for Grand Duke Henri

Photo: © Cour grand-ducale / tous droits réservés
It was, at least in part, a day for audiences for Grand Duke Henri. He received members of the Grand Lodge of Luxembourg, to commemorate the 300th anniversary of Freemasonry. June 24th marks the tercentenary of the first official Grand Lodge in London. In attendance for the audience were Paul Geisen, previous Grand Master and Grand Master of Honor of the Grand Lodge of Luxembourg; Jean Schiltz, current Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Luxembourg; and Marc Hamel, Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge.

Additionally, Grand Duke Henri received in audience Antonio Tajani, the President of the European Parliament, on the occasion of his official visit to Luxembourg.

Photo: © Cour grand-ducale / tous droits réservés

Hereditary Grand Duchess Hosts Estonian PM at MUDAM

Photo: Estonian Government
Do you remember the Prime Minister of Estonia, Jüri Ratas, meeting the Grand Duke about a week ago? Turns out he met Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie, too! Both of them as well as Luxembourg's Prime Minister Xavier Bettel visited the MUDAM. Stéphanie, of course, is the President of the Musée d'Art Moderne Grand-Duc Jean and Prime Minister Ratas was in the Grand Duchy on a working visit. The Hereditary Grand Duchess attending the meeting was neither publicised by the cour nor the media. Fortunately for us, the Estonian government shared some visuals on Twitter with a special thanks to our eagle-eyed reader Avery for spotting it!

Sunday, June 25, 2017

Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume Attends Cycling Championship

Photo: RTL / pressphoto.rtl.lu
Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume was in the Remerschen area to attend a cycling competition, at which Bob Jungels was once more named champion. The race, which runs more than 155 km in length, also saw Alex Kirsch and Ben Gastauer taking second and third places.

A little more information from Wort and RTL.

Friday, June 23, 2017

Fashion Friday: National Day Edition (June 17th - June 23th)

This week's Fashion Friday will be focused on the National Day celebrations since it has been a very quiet week from the Lux ladies otherwise.

Yesterday, Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa were in Bettembourg for the first part of the National Day celebrations. Maria Teresa wore a new jumpsuit and jacket by Max Mara. She also wore a green clutch and black pumps.

Photo: Cour grand-ducale / Claude Piscitelli / tous droits réservés
Max Mara
Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie were in Esch-sur-Alzette. She wore her red Tara Jarmon dress again with possibly old shoes and a new clutch. I believe the clutch could be by Russell & Bromley, similar to the one the Duchess of Cambridge owns. However, the brand could not confirm that this is in fact their clutch so this is just a guess as of now.
Photo: SIP / Jean-Christophe Verhaegen, tous droits réservés
Tara Jarmon
Russell & Bromley
Today, Grand Duke Henri, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, Hereditary Grand-Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie were in Luxembourg City to attend the National Day celebrations. For the official ceremony and military parade, Maria Teresa wore a new red custom made Yves Dooms outfit with silver Prada pumps (similar to this model) and a silver clutch, probably by Prada too.
© Cour grand-ducale / Claude Piscitelli / tous droits réservés

Prada
Stéphanie wore a new Paule Ka orange belted dress with matching pumps and a gold clutch. With thanks to Marion MacPherson, Stephanie is wearing Rupert Sanderson shoes! 

© Cour grand-ducale / Claude Piscitelli / tous droits réservés
Paule Ka
Rupert Sanderson
While the Grand Duchess didn't change for the Te Deum mass (she did add a matching hat to her Yves Dooms outfit), Hereditary Grand-Duchess Stephanie changed and wore a beautiful pink cape dress with a jeweled neckline. I have no information on the designer of the dress yet. She also wore her Chanel pumps and an old clutch that I think is by Judith Leiber (similar to this model), I'm waiting for confirmation from the brand.

© Cour grand-ducale / Claude Piscitelli / tous droits réservés
Chanel

Judith Leiber
For the gala dinner, Maria Teresa wore a new red Yves Dooms gown with a silver clutch. Stéphanie wore a purple gown that was worn by her mother-in-law for the gala dinner during the State Visit to Sweden in 2008. This gown is by Elie Saab.
© Cour grand-ducale / Claude Piscitelli / tous droits réservés
Zimbio
I would like to thank the cour and Yves Dooms for sharing information about Grand Duchess Maria Teresa's outfits! What did you think of the outfits of the Grand Duchess and Hereditary Grand Duchess during these celebrations? 

National Day Gala: Tiaras and Hey, I Know That Dress

Photo: Cour grand-ducale / Claude Piscitelli
It's not National Day in Luxembourg without a sparkling gala event to round it all off - and thankfully we are visually blessed this year.  Ch-ch-check out Tageblatt and the cour for more pictures. Before we get to the tiaras and gowns, get our facts out of the way: Invited were members of the government, the bureau of the Chamber of Deputies, the Council of State, representatives of the judiciary, heads of the administration and foreign ambassadors and they were received by a rather small numbers of members of the Grand Ducal Family: Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa as well as Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie.
Photo: Cour grand-ducale / Claude Piscitelli
Both the Grand Duke and Hereditary Grand Duke looked their dashin selves sporting the Ordeer of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau. Grand Duchess Maria Teresa wore a red gown by who seems to be her new favourite designer: Yves Dooms. I can't say I object cause this lacy number looks trés chic. The Grand Duchess also sported the Belgian Scroll Tiara and small diamond earrings.
Photo: Zimbio
Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie wore a purple dress previously worn by her mother-in-law during a state visit to Sweden several years agon in 2008. I must say that I love the sentiment (always have, always will) but I find this to be a less than successful attempt at clothes sharing. It looked smashing on Maria Teresa almost ten years ago, but it would have needed a proper fitting for Stéphanie. On the tiara front, Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie sported the Oval Amethyst Parure, she has worn twice before.

What else happened today? For our previous National Day coverage, have a look here.

National Day Continues With Te Deum Mass

Photo: Cour grand-ducale / Claude Piscitelli
The Grand Duchy's National Day celebrations continued with the Te Deum mass at the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Luxembourg this afternoon. For everything that happened previously today, have a look here. The Te Deum used to be the focal point of the National Day festivities but was replaced by a secular ceremony three years ago, it's still held but in slightly smaller fashion in the afternoon. Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa as well as Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie were all present for the occasion.
Photo: Cour grand-ducale / Claude Piscitelli
As it has been for a while now, the Te Deum was an interreligious one, concelebrated by the archbishop of Luxembourg, Jean-Claude Hollerich; the chief rabbi of Luxembourg, Alain Nacache; and the imam of the Muslim community, Muhamed Rizvic. Like every year, the climax of the thanksgiving service was the "Domine salvum fac magnum ducem nostrum" - "Oh Lord, save our great leader" or something along those lines if my Latin serves me right - played in a different arrangement every year. Other musical pieces traditionally featured were the national anthem, Ons Heemecht, the grand ducal anthem, De Wilhelmus; as well as the Sonnerie nationale, which gets me every year.
Photo: Cour grand-ducale / Claude Piscitelli
Grand Duchess Maria Teresa wore the same Yves Dooms dress and coat combination as this morning with a new hat, Hereditary Grand Duchess looked pretty in pink in a cape-style dress (whose designer we are trying to identify) and a pink fascinator. The Grand Duke and Hereditary Grand Duke looked dapper as always in their morning suits with the lapel pins of the Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau.

Today's National Day will be rounded off by a gala reception at the palais with gowns, tiaras and dashing gentlemen. Keep your fingers crossed for some sparkling surprises!

Grand Ducal Family Celebrates National Day

Luxembourg's National Day celebrations are in full swing. As this post is published, members of the Grand Ducal Family are attending the Te Deum mass at the Cathédrale Notre-Dame. Last night, after the visits to Esch and Bettembourg, Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa as well as Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie attended the traditional torchlight procession. (And yes, I totally had a post about it ready to go last night and planned on waiting to add pictures - but then I fell asleep, so we will just conveniently insert it here.)
Photo: Cour grand-ducale / Dominique Gaul
The torchlight parade features firefighters, scouts and basically everyone who is old enough to hold it carrying (surprise, surprise) torches. (It seriously makes you wonder if there is a national shortage of torches after June 22 in Luxembourg...) In addition there are folklore and musical groups and associations performing. The torchlight procession is part of the street festival taking place in the city on the day prior to the National Day. The pre-celebrations were rounded off by a fireworks display watched by Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa as well as their oldest son and daughter-in-law from the balcony of the Place de la Constitution.
Photo: Cour grand-ducale / Claude Piscitelli
This morning, the festivities of the Grand Duke's official birthday kicked off with the not-so-new anymore official ceremony. First introduced in 2013, the secular ceremony took place at the Salle de concerts Grande-Duchesse Joséphine-Charlotte, also known as the Philharmonie Luxembourg, this year. The event was attended by Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa as well as Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie. Curious me can't help but wonder if the reduced attendance of family members wasn't coincidental but intentional as not to draw attention to the (possibly still pending) divorce of Prince Louis and Princess Tessy. On a brighter note: The Grand Duchess was a lovely lady in red in an outfit by Yves Dooms, Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie wore a summery orange Paule Ka dress.
Photo: Cour grand-ducale / Claude Piscitelli
In front of some 1,200 dignitaries, diplomats and deserving citiziens, the Grand Duke gave a speech saying, "On National Day, we put aside our differences of opinions. Today we look at what we have together and what our nation represents (...) Today is a day for us all, the day we stand together, celebrate together and be happy." Grand Duke Henri also spoke of the challenges faced by Luxembourg and the world stating that courage and a strong will are needed more than ever, "Our political system, featuring democracy, freedom and respect for human rights is not a matter of course." (Full speech.)
Photo: Cour grand-ducale / Claude Piscitelli
In addition to the Grand Duke, Prime Minister Xavier Bettel and President of Parliament Mars di Bartolomeo also held speeches. Part of the official ceremony is also the awarding orders and medals to deserving citizens by the Grand Duke, Prime Minister and President of Parliament. After the end of the official ceremony, 21 canon salutes were fired from the Fetschenhof to honour the Grand Duke.
Photo: Cour grand-ducale / Claude Piscitelli
The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess as well as the Hereditary Grand Duke and the Hereditary Grand Duchess then made their way to the Avenue de la Liberté for the military parade. Both Henri and Guillaume changed into their uniforms for the occasion. The military parade traditionally also includes representatives of the police as well as aid, emergency and security services.

More pictures of today and yesterday at the cour with more to come in a round-up post.

Hereditary Prince Alois Receives Ambassadors

Photo: Alois with Manuel Francisco Gormaz Lira / llv.li
On the 21st, Hereditary Prince Alois received three new ambassadors at Schloss Vaduz: Manuel Francisco Gormaz Lira of the Republic of Chile; Kham-Inh Khitchadeth of the Lao People's Democratic Republic; and Aurora Díaz-Rato Revuelta of the Kingdom of Spain.

Thursday, June 22, 2017

Grand Ducal Family Visits Esch-sur-Alzette and Bettembourg

It's that time of the year again: Tomorrow is the Grand Duke's Official Birthday. The festivities all over the Grand Duchy always start on the eve of National Day - so, you know, you can let loose and use National Day for recovery (or something along those lines)... At 4pm sharp, it was the time for the traditional changing of the guard at the palais, which always kicks of the National Day celebrations. 
Photo: Laurent Blum / Luxemburger Wort / Wort.lu
The first grand ducal sighting of this year's National Day events we got in the form of Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duke Stéphanie during their annual trip to Esch-sur-Alzette. It has been a tradition for decades that members of the Grand Ducal Family visit Luxembourg's second largest city to celebrate the nation on the eve of the Grand Duke's official birthday. At 5pm, the duo was welcomed in front of the Théâtre Municipal by mayor Vera Spautz, members of the Chamber of Deputies, the government and local politicians. After the laying of a wreath of flowers at the war memorial, they made their way to the city centre of Esch.
Photo: Laurent Blum / Luxemburger Wort / Wort.lu
On the place in front of the town hall, the Hereditary Grand Duke and Hereditary Grand Duchess then watched a parade of the associations and clubs of the town. This was followed by a short reception hosted in the honour of the royal guests at the town hall and an appearance on the balcony. Afterwards, the Hereditary Grand Ducal Couple made their way to the Escher Volleksfest, a public fair celebrating National Day, where they mingled with the people and lit a fire together with young scouts.
Photo: Lex Kleren / Luxemburger Wort / Wort.lu
Meanwhile at 6pm, Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa arrived in Bettembourg. While Guillaume and Stéphanie always go to Esch for the eve of National Day, the grand ducal couple likes to change things up a bit and thus always goes to different places. The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess were welcomed in Bettembourg by deputy mayor Laurenz Zeimet. 
Photo: Lex Kleren / Luxemburger Wort / Wort.lu
After the official welcome, the grand ducal couple made their way to the Château de Bettembourg were they visited the exhibition "Beetebuerg erliewen" or "Experiencing Bettembourg". They also signed the golden book of the municipality at the castle. Next on the agenda was a visit to the castle's park where the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess saw a presentation of local gymnasts before making their way to the Place Nelson Mandela for the Fête de l'amitié. The "Festivel of Friendship" showcased traditional local dances and more recent additions to Luxembourgish life, in the form of Syrian food, for example, likewise. To round off their visit, the grand ducal couple also met with local volunteers.

More pictures of the visit to Bettembourg here and of the visit to Esch here. (As always, we will have a round-up post with more links in the days to come.)

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Wedding of Prince Dimitri Galitzine and Alexandra Pollitt

Photo: Point de Vue
On June 11, Prince Dimitri Galitzine, son of Prince Piotr Galitzine and his wife Archduchess Maria Anna of Austria, married Alexandra Pollitt - and it (unexpectedly) looks like everyone and their children/parents/cousins/[insert relation here] attended. This week's Point de Vue has pictures of Princess Alexandra and Prince Sébastien, Prince Nikolaus and Princess Margaretha as well as their son Prince Josef, Princess Marie-Astrid as well as her children Archduchess Marie-Christine, Archduke Imre and Archduke Alexander, Prince Jean and Countess Diane at the wedding celebrations in Brussels. More Luxembourg and Liechtenstein guests not impossible.

Henri Awards Civil and Military Order of Adolphe of Nassau

Photo: Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa with public
figures receiving the Civil and Military Order of Adolphe of Nassau /
© Cour grand-ducale / Marc Schoentgen / tous droits réservés
On the 20th, Grand Duke Henri awarded the Civil and Military Order of Adolphe of Nassau for 2017, with Grand Duchess Maria Teresa also in attendance for the event. Those receiving the Order included the following: members of the Luxembourg Army (including Military Music members), members of the Police grand-ducale, staff members of the Cour grand-ducale, members of government administration, and members of the Suites grand-ducales.

Additionally, a number of public figures (shown above in the photograph) received the Order, including Guy Wagner of the Banque de Luxembourg, Lihong Zhou of the Bank of China's Luxembourg branch, economist Maria Nowak, Luxembourg-based dentist Maria Teresa Weitzel, physician Dr. Yves Lammar, BGL BNP Paribas Director Carlo Thelen, Banque de Luxembourg CEO Pierre Ahlborn,  and Luxembourg judo Olympian Marie Muller, among others.

On the same day, Grand Duke Jean also presented the same order to a member of his staff, at Château de Fischbach.