Weekly Roundup: A Few More Funeral Details and More

April 20 - 26, 2019

Photo: Cour grand-ducale / Private Collections

This week was tainted with sadness over the death of Grand Duke Jean on Tuesday, April 23. His coffin will be brought from the château de Berg to the palais grand-ducal on Sunday where Luxembourg's former head of state will lie in state and people will be able to pay their last respects. More details about the arrangements for the coming days here.

The funeral is to take place on May 4. Thus far Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, King Harald V, Queen Sonja and Princess Astrid of Norway, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians, King Albert II and Queen Paola of Belgium and the Princess Royal as well as the Count of Paris have already confirmed their attendance. Several royal families and heads of state have sent letters of condolence to the Grand Ducal Family. The Emperor and Empress of Japan paid a visit to the Luxembourgish embassy in Tokyo to pay tribute to Grand Duke Jean.

More sad news came during the course of the week when the passing away of Grand Duke Jean's first cousin Duchess Gabrielle of Croÿ on Good Friday was announced. The funeral of the daughter of Princess Antonia of Luxembourg will take place on May 3.

In the only Liechtenstein news this week, Hereditary Prince Alois and Hereditary Princess Sophie visited the country's largest dairy to tour the facilities. During the visit they were presented with a cheese loaf especially produced to mark the 300th anniversary of the Principality this year. More, including a picture, at Vaterland.