National Day Weekend in Luxembourg

The Grand Ducal Family was busy this weekend celebrating Luxembourg's National Day. As every year, while the official holiday and celebrations took place today (Sunday), the celebrations already kicked off yesterday with the traditional visit to Esch-sur-Alzette by the Hereditary Grand Duke and Hereditary Grand Duchess, a visit to Château de Bourscheid by the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess as well as the torchlight parade.

Visit to Esch-sur-Alzette

Photo: Guy Wolff / Luxemburger Wort / Wort.lu

At around 5pm yesterday, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie were greeted at the Place de la Résistance in Esch-Sur-Alzette by the town's officials. After the laying of a wreath of flowers at the war memorial, they made their way to the city centre of Esch. In front of the town hall the Hereditary Grand Duke and Hereditary Grand Duchess watched a parade of the associations and clubs of Esch-sur-Alzette. After a short reception hosted in the honour of the royal guests at the town hall and an appearance on the balcony, 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. More pictures and videos at Wort and RTL.

Château de Bourscheid

Photo: Gerry Huberty / Luxemburger Wort / Wort.lu

Meanwhile, Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa paid a visit to the newly renovated Château de Bourscheid. After learning about the castle and its almost 1000-year-long history, the couple mingled with the people and took part in a celebratory ceremony that saw emergency and rescue services rewarded for their duties. The also paid a visit to House Stolzemburg, which is part of the castle. More pictures and videos at Wort and RTL.

Torchlight Parade

Photo: Luxemburger Wort / Wort.lu

Then the two grand ducal duos reunited and was joined by another few family members, namely Prince Félix, Prince Louis, Princess Alexandra and Prince Sébastien, for the traditional torchlight parade and fireworks on the eve of the Grand Duke's official birthday. The torchlight parade features firefighters, scouts and basically everyone who is old enough to hold it carrying (surprise, surprise) torches. 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 the Grand Ducal Family from the balcony of the Place de la Constitution. More pictures and videos at Wort and RTL.

Official Ceremony

Photo: Sophie Margue / Cour grand-ducale

This morning, the long day of festivities for National Day started with practically almost already traditional official ceremony. First introduced in 2013, the secular ceremony took place at the Salle de concerts Grande-Duchesse Joséphine-Charlotte of the Philharmonie Luxembourg this year. Just like last night, the Grand Ducal Family was out in quite a force to mark the occasion only missing Princess Claire. As part of the ceremony, the Grand Duke, President of Parliament Fernand Etgen and Prime Minister Xavier Bettel gave speeches and presented honorary awards to deserving Luxembourgers, including two Luxembourgish soldiers killed earlier this year during an explosion of a WWII bomb presented to their families. More pictures and videos at Wort and RTL.

Military Parade

Photo: Guy Wolff / Luxemburger Wort / Wort.lu

Next up on the day's agenda was the military parade which took place in the Avenue Kennedy this year. Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa as well as Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume, Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie and, for the second time now, Prince Sébastien, were on hand to witness the occasion. Apart from Luxembourg's armed forces, the parade also included police personnel and members of the rescue services.

Te Deum

The Grand Ducal Family then continued to celebrate National Day by attending the Te Deum mass at the Cathédral Notre-Dame de Luxembourg this afternoon. The Te Deum used to be the focal point of the National Day festivities but was replaced by a secular ceremony a few years ago. It's still held but in slightly smaller fashion in the afternoon. As it has been for a while now, the Te Deum was an interreligious one, concelebrated by the Catholic Archbishop of Luxembourg, the chief rabbi of Luxembourg and the imam of the Muslim community. The Te Deum just ended a few minutes ago so no pictures as of yet.

What's left? The National Day Gala of course! We will have a separate post hopefully full of glittering tiaras, wonderful gowns and dashing gentlemen later today, so stay tuned!

Weekly Roundup: A Wedding, a Luxo-Liechtenstein Meeting and More

June 1 to June 7, 2019

Photo: Stefan of Royal Travel

Summer is here and with it the season of weddings (and our third weekly roundup in a row featuring one)... This time around, it was Prince Casimir of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn and Alana Bunte who tied the knot. The second son of the head of the House of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn Fürst Alexander and wife Fürstin Gabriela, who you may recall as a guest from various big events in Luxembourg and Liechtenstein, and the American model married on Saturday at Schloss Sayn in Germany.

Photo: Stefan of Royal Travel

Among the plentiful guests at the wedding were Prince Guillaume and Princess Sibilla as well as their niece and nephew Princess Anunciata and Prince Josef, children of Princess Margaretha and Prince Nikolaus. Stefan of Royal Travel went to the wedding, you can see more of his wonderful pictures here (and many thanks once again for sharing them with us!)

Photo: Sophie Margue / Cour grand-ducale

This week also saw an official Luxembourg-Liechtenstein meeting as Grand Duke Henri, Hereditary Prince Alois and Hereditary Princess Sophie participated in the annual gathering of the heads of state of the German-speaking countries. The other four countries attending include Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Belgium which explains why Queen Mathilde is also in the picture above. (Plenty more at the cour.) This year's meeting took place in Linz, Austria, and included a visit to the Ars Electronica Center.

Photo: Sophie Margue / Cour grand-ducale

On Thursday, Grand Duke Henri paid a visit to the glass blowing workshop Seil in Bendorf. They are currently reproducing a range of historic crystal glasses, blown and engraved with the coat of arms of the Grand Duke. The effort forms part of an initiative launched by the Chamber of Trade to highlight the know-how of Luxembourgish crafts bringing together the tradition of rare trades and those of high technology.

Photo: Laurent Blum / Cour grand-ducale

Earlier today, Friday that is, Grand Duke Henri received in audience Franz Fayot, President of the Luxembourg Socialist Workers Party (LSAP), and Agnès Durdu, new President of the Council of State, in office since 1 April 2019.

The Last "Äddi": Grand Duke Jean Laid to Rest

Photo: Cour grand-ducale

It was shortly before half-past eleven this morning when Grand Duke Jean left the palais grand-ducal for the very last time. Representatives of eleven reigning monarchies, countless non-reigning and noble houses, former presidents of Germany, France and Portugal, national and international dignitaries had already taken their place at the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Luxembourg, when Luxembourg's former Grand Duke, who died almost two weeks ago aged 98, made his final journey through the streets of Luxembourg towards the Cathedral. 

Photo: Cour grand-ducale

The coffin of Grand Duke Jean was draped in a flag based on the Grand Duchy's coat-of-arms prominently displaying the Red Lion. The Grand Duke's mortal remains were carried on a howitzer gun mount, once gifted to Grand Duke Jean by the Irish Guards, towed by a military vehicle of the Luxembourg Army. As 21 canon salutes were fired, the funeral procession including the members of the Grand Ducal Family, military and police delegations, the highest ranking political and other dignitaries, slowly made their way to the Cathedral. It was interesting to note that the three oldest of Grand Duke Jean's great-grandchildren, namely Princes Gabriel and Noah and Count Léopold de Limburg-Stirum, also attended the service. 

Photo: Cour grand-ducale / Sophie Margue

Grand Duke Jean's coffin was carried into the Cathedral to the sounds of De Wilhelmus, Luxembourg's grand ducal anthem, the lyrics of which are actually about (the love of) Grand Duchess Charlotte and Prince Felix, the late Grand Duke's parents. The funeral mass was presided over by Archbishop Jean-Claude Hollerich and his concelebrants included former Archbishop Fernand Franck and Augustine Kasujja, the Apostolic Nuncio to the Grand Duchy. The Grand Ducal Family was heavily involved in the service with both Archduchess Marie-Astrid and Prince Guillaume giving the readings in French and Luxembourgish respectively. Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume (in Luxembourgish), Princess Marie-Gabrielle (in French), Princess Anunciata (in English), Prince Paul-Louis (in Luxembourgish) and Archduchess Marie-Christine (in French) read the intercessions, which they wrote themselves.

Photo: Cour grand-ducale / Samuel Kirszenbaum

The mass ended with the Sonnerie Nationale and the singing of the national anthem Ons Heemecht. Then came the perhaps most moving part: Grand Duke Jean's coffin was carried out of the Cathedral to the sounds of Highland Cathedral played by bagpipers of the Irish Guards together with the Military Music. It is a song that it very moving in itself and was probably the emotional highpoint of a generally very emotional day. Grand Duke Jean was then privately laid to rest at the Cathedral's crypt alongside his wife, parents, brother and further relatives.

Photo: Cour grand-ducale

If you wish, you can (re)watch the funeral service over at RTL. You can find more pictures in our posts here and here and all over the Luxembourgish media, just go on their websites and you will find easily find them. Our "field reporter" Arjan was in Luxembourg today and he will share experiences in the coming days, so make sure to come back. As we noticed that some attendees were missing on the guest list published in advance, we may also come up with a more comprehensive one sometime next week.

Funeral of Duchess Gabrielle of Croÿ

Photo: Westfälische Nachrichten

The funeral of Duchess Gabrielle of Croÿ took place at the Saint Jacob Church in Dülmen, Germany, today. The daughter of Princess Antonia of Luxembourg and Crown Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria passed away on Good Friday, April 19, 2019, at the age of 91 predeceasing her first cousin Grand Duke Jean by a few days. The mourners at the funeral included Prince Sébastien and his cousin Prince Paul-Louis, oldest son of Prince Guillaume and Princess Sibilla. There may have been more members of the Grand Ducal Family in attendance who were not pictured. Photos at the local newspaper Westfälische Nachrichten.

Grand Duke Jean Leaves Colmar-Berg For The Last Time And Arrives In Luxembourg City

Photo: Gerry Huberty / Luxemburger Wort / Wort.lu

The casket of Grand Duke Jean has been transferred from Château de Berg to the palais grand-ducale. The late Grand Duke was accompanied on his final journey from his former long-time home to Luxembourg City by his five children, Grand Duke Henri, Archduchess Marie-Astrid, Prince Jean, Princess Margretha and Prince Guillaume, his children-in-law and several grandchildren. The grandchildren present today included Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume with Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie, Prince Louis, Princess Alexandra, Prince Sébastien, Archduchess Marie-Astrid with husband Count Rodolphe de Limburg-Stirum, Archduke Alexander, Archduchess Gabriella, Princess Anunciata, Princess Astrid, Prince Paul-Louis, Prince Léopold and Princess Charlotte. 

Photo: Pierre Matgé / Luxemburger Wort / Wort.lu

The motorcade left the castle in Colmar-Berg shortly before 2.30pm and passed through the village where the streets were lined by several hundred Luxembourgers paying their respects. They arrived at the palais grand-ducal at 3.10pm while the knells of several churches nearby were sounding after passing by several of Luxembourg City's landmarks. Again, many people lined the route to pay their respects to Grand Duke Jean who passed away at the age of 98 on Tuesday this week. Grand Duke Jean will lie in state at the palais for the coming week. If you are in  or around Luxembourg and wish to pay your final respects, you can do so from Monday to Friday.

Photos and videos of Grand Duke Jean's last journey can be found at Wort #1, Wort #2, Tageblatt and RTL.

Grand Duchess Maria Teresa and Family "Stand Speak Rise Up!"

Photo: Stand Speak Rise Up

The much anticipated "Stand Speak Rise Up!" conference took place in Luxembourg this week. The international conference committed to ending sexual violence in fragile environments was initiated by the Grand Duchess together with the Dr. Denis Mukwege Foundation and We are NOT Weapons of War (WWoW), supported by the Women’s Forum for the Economy & Society and the Luxembourg Government.

Photo: Stand Speak Rise Up

The aim of the conference was to raise awareness of sexual violence in conflict zones, particularly rape as a weapon of war. Sadly both have experienced in upsurge in today's conflicts yet are rarely talked about. While sexual violence is a deep-rooted global phenomenon affecting every human being, women are oftentimes the most vulnerable. Fragile environments, such as war and guerilla zones, displaced communities, detention centres, isolated rural villages and areas ravaged by natural disasters, are fertile grounds for these heinous crimes that have become part of military strategy and a weapon of war.

Photo: Cour grand-ducale / Sophie Margue

Already on Saturday, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa celebrated her birthday with a party together with 50 survivors of sexual violence in conflict zones who had already travelled to the Grand Duchy for the conference that took place on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Photo: Cour grand-ducale / Claude Piscitelli

On Monday, the Grand Duke welcomed two of the conference's attendees, Atifete Jahjaga, former President of Kosovo, and Pramila Patten, United Nations Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, for audiences at the palais.

Photo: Stand Speak Rise Up

The actual conference took place on Tuesday and Wednesday with a concert at the Philharmonie rounding off the event. It was great to see so many family members coming out to support such an important cause. Among those who attended the various events related to the conference were, of course, Grand Duke Henri, Grand Duke Jean, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume, Prince Félix and Princess Claire, Princess Alexandra, as well as Archduchess Marie-Astrid and Princess Anunciata and Princess Charlotte (daughter of Guillaume and Sibilla).

Pictures of the conference are available on Flickr as well as at the cour here and here. RTL has several news reports about the events, here and here for example, as well as a lengthy interview with the Grand Duchess.

Weekly Roundup: Two Funerals, A Throne Speech and More

January 12 to 18, 2019

First up, a little addition to last week's roundup: On January 11, Fürstin Paula of Fürstenberg was laid to rest in Donaueschingen, Germany. Among the mourners for Princess Paula, who died at the age of 92 earlier this month, were several members of the Liechtenstein family including Prince Hans-Adam II and Princess Marie as well as Prince Nikolaus.

Photo: Claude Piscitelli / Cour grand-ducale

Prince Louis was back in Luxembourg on Sunday where he attended the Kagami Biraki festival 2019, jointly organised by the Interreg Judo Cooperation and the Luxembourgish Martial Arts Federation, and saw some fighting action. Prince Louis has been the patron of the latter since 2010. More pictures of the event at the cour.

Photo: SIP / Emmanuel Claude

98 and going strong: On Tuesday, Prime Minister Xavier Bettel paid a visit to Grand Duke Jean at his home Château de Fischbach. While no details were released, I'm sure the Grand Duke Jean is still very much up-to-date on and interested in the state of government in the Grand Duchy and thus welcomed the visit by the PM.

Photo: Claude Piscitelli / Cour grand-ducale

Also on Tuesday, Grand Duke Henri met with the committee of the Baueren-Allianz, or farmer's alliance, for some unspecified reason apart from the fact that they celebrated their 30th anniversary about a year ago in January 2018 - or is that a typo by the cour? If it is, I feel ya. 

Embed from Getty Images

On Wednesday, the funeral of Count Philippe de Lannoy, father of Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie took place in the Belgian village of Anvaing. In attendance to support the Hereditary Grand Duchess and her family during these sad times were Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume, of course, as well as Grand Duke Henri, Prince Louis and Princess Alexandra in addition to Prince Guillaume and Princess Sibilla, Archduchess Marie-Astrid with her mother-in-law Archduchess Yolande, and Princess Anunciata. Count Philippe de Lannoy passed away on Thursday last week at the age of 96. More photos at Getty Images.

Photo: Cour grand-ducale / Samuel Kirszenbaum

On the same day, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa was in Paris for a previously scheduled event, an award ceremony by the Fondation Stéphane Bern pour l'Histoire et le Patrimoine - Institut de France. The Grand Duchess handed out the History Award to Loris Chavanette for his book "Quatre-vingt-quinze, La Terreur en procès". The cour has more visuals and also stated the the Grand Duchess was sorry that she could not attend the Count of Lannoy's funeral but was present in her thoughts.

More sad news for Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie came later in the week: Her uncle, Dominique della Faille de Leverghem, younger brother of her mother Countess Alix, died on January 13 at the age of 72, as announced in La Libre Belgique. Our condolences go out to the family.

Photo: Daniel Schwender / Liechtensteiner Vaterland / Vaterland.li

Thursday saw Hereditary Prince Alois open Liechtenstein's parliament for this year with the traditional throne speech (and no, neither he nor his father have a literal throne to sit on while doing so). In his speech, the Hereditary Prince called on politicians and Liechtensteiners alike to unite and create a bright future for the country instead of becoming a nation of naysayers. His full speech (as well as a video of the speech) can be found at Vaterland.

Earlier today, Friday that is, Monseigneur le Grand-Duc visited the judicial authorities of the District Court in Diekirch. No pictures as of yet and also not pictures - because it is just about to start - of tonight's event: A concert celebrating the 100th anniversary of the accession of Grand Duchess Charlotte to the throne at the Église Saint-Michel attended by the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess. We will include both events again in next week's roundup.

Pssst, also come back during the course of the week as there will be some extra posts between this and next Friday...

Grand Duke Jean Celebrates 98th Birthday With His Family

Photo: Cour grand-ducale / Claude Piscitelli

Grand Duke Jeans turns 98 years young today - Team Luxarazzi would like to take the opportunity to wish His Royal Highness a very happy birthday and health for the year ahead. The cour grand-ducale was so kind as to release a photograph of Grand Duke Jean celebrating his birthday at Château de Berg with (some of his) family.

First row from left:

Count Constantin and Count Léopold of Limburg-Stirum (sons of Archduchess Marie-Christine and Count Rodolphe)

Second row:

Grand Duke Henri, Grand Duke Jean and Grand Duchess Maria-Teresa

Third row:

Prince Louis, Archduchess Marie-Christine with youngest son Count Gabriel, Count Rodolphe, Countess Diane, Prince Jean, Princess Sibilla, Archduchess Gabriella with daughter Victoria, Archduke Alexander, Princess Charlotte and Princess Alexandra

P.S. Our Weekly Roundups will return next week as the Grand Ducal Family and Princely Family are still largely on their Christmas break.

Weekly Roundup: Two Baptisms of sorts and credentials.

This week it is double weekly roundup! I apologize for missing last week's roundup post. I just bought a new house, and the process was very time consuming (and stressful).

On December 12, the Grand Duke started off the week by receiving the credentials of the new ambassadors of Switzerland, Iceland, Kazakhstan, and Estonia.

Cour Grand-Ducale

The same day the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess sent a telegram of condolence and solidarity to President Macron after the tragic attack in nearby Strasbourg.

The Grand Duke stayed busy the next day by receiving the members of the new Chambre des Deputes.

Cour grand-ducale/Claude Piscitelli

Later the same evening the Grand Duke and Princess Alexandra attended the Christmas Gala of the SOS Villages d'Enfants Monde. The gala included a performance by the Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra, which is under the patronage of the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess. Princess Alexandra had the honour of baptizing a new E Flat bell that belongs to the orchestra. 

Cour grand-ducale/Marion Dessard

The Hereditary Grand Duke and Duchess wrapped up the week by awarding prizes at the end of the biennial De Main De Maîtres.

Cour grand-ducale/Claude Piscitelli

In other family news, Archduchess Juliana of Austria was christened. The young archduchess is the third daughter for Archduke Imre and Archduchess Kathleen. The baptism took place in Combloux, Haute-Savoie, Switzerland. The godparents are Archduchess Marie-Christine and Fr. Will Conquer. Photos of the event and a lengthy interview with Archduchess Kathleen appear in the recent Pointe de Vue. 

Anne du Castel

In Liechtenstein news, to help celebrate 300 years of of the Liechtenstein a chocolatier from the principality has created an anniversary tin with treats inside. Prince Hans-Adam received the first box from representatives of Hoi-Laden Vaduz. The bronze box features all 12 of Liechtenstein's reigning princes. It was also noted that next year more about the history of the family and the reigning princes will be made available online at the website of the princely family.

Tatjana Schnalgzer

Prince Constantin was named to the Austrian Council for Sustainable Development. The goal is to help strive and aid in the implementation of UN agenda 2030 for sustainable development. The council was formed during the summer and is already working toward their goal. 

Everyone here at Luxarazzi would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We hope that the new year brings you many blessings.

Weekly Roundup: Interviews, Lots of "De Mains de Maîtres" and More

November 24 to 30, 2018

Photo: Cour grand-ducale / Cyril Moreau

On Monday, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa and Princess Alexandra were on hand for the screening of the movie "Moi Nojoom, 10 ans, divorcée" in Paris. The movie, which has already won several awards, deals with the topic of forced child marriage: "A little girl enters a courtroom, looks at the judge straight in the eye and says, “I want to divorce.” Her name is Nojoom, she is ten years old, she was forcibly married to a man who is 20 years older than her, and she escaped. But in Yemen, there is no legal age to marry." Watch the trailer here, more pictures of the screening here.

Photo: Council of Europe

Hereditary Prince Alois and Hereditary Princess Sophie were in Strasbourg on Tuesday to pay a visit to the Council of Europe including the European Court of Human Rights. The visit marked the 40th anniversary of the Principality's addition to the Council of Europe. In case you are not up to all the details of all the European institutions, don't be fooled: Despite the similar flags, the Council of Europe has nothing to do with the European Union and its European Council. The Council of Europe has 47 member states and its aim is to uphold human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Europe.

Photo: Cour grand-ducale / Sophie Margue

On Wednesday, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa attended the froum "From words to action: repairing the wounds of wartime sexual violence" organised by the Dr. Denis Mukwege Foundation alongside Dr. Mukwege himself and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands in The Hague. More pictures at the cour, the speech given by the Grand Duchess (in English) here.

Photo: Cour grand-ducale / Charles Caratini

This week was also very much influenced by this year's De Main De Maîtres exhibition - and it even brought out a surprising number of family members! Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie brought along Grand Duke Henri, Prince Guillaume and Princess Sibilla as well as their daughter Princess Charlotte for an informal visit to the exhibition on Wednesday prior to its opening. More visuals at the cour.

Photo: Cour grand-ducale / Charles Caratini

Later that same time Guillaume continued to make us feel like it's 2009 all over again (#TeamBeard) as he and Stéphanie also visited additional exhibition spaces of De Main De Maîtres, including the workshop of Ezri Kahn. Et mais oui, I totally want Stéphanie to wear that yellow dress! And by the way in case you haven't been a long-time follower of the Grand Ducal Family and are a bit lost right now: The exhibition De Mains de Maîtres (Of Master's Hands) was first initiated by the Hereditary Grand Duke and Hereditary Grand Duchess together with the Chamber of Trade and the Ministries of Economy and Culture back in 2016 with the first exhibition taking place in December of that year in Luxembourg to showcase the country's talent in the fields of art, craftsmanship and design. It was a resounding success, has become a regular thing in Luxembourg and has also since been moved abroad. (More visuals.)

Photo: Cour grand-ducale / Charles Caratini

Naturally, the Hereditary Grand Duke and Hereditary Grand Duchess were also on hand for the official opening of this year's exhibition called "Gestes et Merveilles" (Gestures and Wonders) on Wednesday night. Stéphanie gave the opening speech of the event at 19 Liberté.

Photo: Screenshot RTL

To mark the exhibition, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume also gave an interview to RTL, you can watch it here. Guillaume talks about how he surprised he and his wife were about the continued success of De Mains de Maîtres and how much they enjoyed bringing the exhibition to other countries hoping that there will be many more to come.

Photo: SOS Faim / S. Becker

Grand Duke Henri meanwhile attended an academic session to mark the 25th anniversary of SOS Faim. Founded in Luxembourg in 1993, SOS Faim supports sustainable agriculture, in particular by means of inclusive rural financing, to guarantee food sovereignty everywhere and for all. More...

Photo: Cour grand-ducale / Claude Piscitelli

To round off this week's activities, Grand Duke Henri attended the closing ceremony of Expogast, the International Trade Show for Gastronomy, taking place in Luxembourg every year earlier today (Friday, that is). More at the cour.

You caught something else this week we missed? Let us know in the comment section below.

Weekly Roundup: Birthday Celebrations, War Commemorations and More

November 10 to 16, 2018

Photo: Cour grand-ducale / Sophie Margue

This week, much of Europe and the world was busy marking the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I. At the invitation of French President Macron, the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess attended several events in France marking Armistice Day alongside fellow world leaders, including the official remembrance service at the Arc de Triomphe as well as a visit to the Musée d'Orsay, on November 11. More at the cour.

Photo: Cour grand-ducale / Sophie Margue

Later the same day, Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa also attended a Luxembourg-based commemoration service at the Gëlle Fra, a war memorial dedicated to the thousands of Luxembourgers who volunteered for service in the armed forces of the Allied Powers during World War I, in the Place de la Constitution. The cour has more visuals.

Photo: Photo: Cour grand-ducale / Sophie Margue

On Tuesday, Grand Duke Henri was on hand to pay a visit to the Salon 2018 du Cercle Artistique de Luxembourg organised as part of Luxembourg Art Week. Founded in 1893, the Cercle Artistique de Luxembourg (CAL) is an association which brings together painters, sculptors, engravers and other creators in the visual arts, professional or amateur. More pictures at the cour.

Also on Tuesday, Prince Guillaume visited Alsace for the inauguration of the new Humanist Library of Sélestat. The building was closed for nearly four and a half years with about 14 million euros invested to renovate the famous library.

Earl of Snowdon, Grand Duke and Duchess of Luxembourg, Lady Helen Taylor and Santa Montefiore arrive for the Prince of Wales 70 birthday party. pic.twitter.com/6MCHQfYeKv

— Mark Stewart (@RegalEyes) November 14, 2018

On Thursday, Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa were among the guests for the 70th birthday celebrations of the Prince of Wales. Unfortunately no official pictures of the guests at the event hosted at Buckingham Palace are available.

Photo: IKR

Meanwhile in Liechtenstein on Thursday, Hereditary Prince Alois welcomed the Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs Karin Kneissl at Schloss Vaduz. The Minister of Foreign Affairs visited the Principality for a working visit and also met with various other dignitaries.

On Friday, Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa took part in a conference organised by the Women’s Forum for the Economy and Society under the topic "Bridging humanity for inclusive progress". During the course of the conference taking place Paris, the Grand Duchess spoke of her social and humanitarian work as well as the upcoming conference StandSpeakRiseUp.

Speaking of the Grand Duchess... Also this week, she launched her own website. And even though I did read the official explanation why, I couldn't help but wonder: Why though? A special section on the official website, sure. Maybe generally giving the cour's website a makeover, sure. But another website? I just don't get it. Yours truly will bookmark it anyway to see if there will be any interesting updates.

In unfortunately picture-less news, Prince Guillaume and Princess Sibilla also attended a gala dinner for BIG against breast cancer at the Cercle de Lorraine in Brussels sometime this week. (No) more information here.

Weekly Roundup: Humanitarian Mission to Lebanon and More

October 28 to November 2, 2018

Welcome to a slightly belated Weekly Roundup, so let's get right into it.

Photo: Sophie Margue / Cour grand-ducale

Grand Duchess Maria Teresa travelled to Libanon this week for a humanitarian mission. During the three-day trip she met with the President, President of Parliament and Prime Minister of the country. On the first day, she also visited the Rafik Hariri University Hospital and met with employees of Unicef and the Red Cross. 

Photo: Paul Schirnhofer / Cour grand-ducale

On the second day, the Grand Duchess visited Arceniel, which "supports Lebanon’s most underprivileged and marginalised communities, regardless of religion, political affiliation or nationality" and a refugee camp in Bar Elias. She also paid a visit to a Caritas safehouse for victims of sexual abuse in preparation for the conference she will be hosting on the topic next year in Luxembourg.

Photo: Sophie Margue / Cour grand-ducale

More pictures at the cour here and here as well as Wort and Tageblatt. RTL also has a video.

Back home in Luxembourg, there wasn't too much going on this week. On Friday, Grand Duke Henri, Archduchess Marie-Astrid as well as Prince Guillaume and Princess Sibilla with their children Léopold and Charlotte attended the attended traditional All Souls' Day mass at the Cathédrale Notre-Dame to honour the deceased members of the Grand Ducal Family. More pictures at the cour.

Photo: IKR

Last but not least: A quick addition to last week's Roundup: On October 26, Hereditary Prince Alois  met Guy Parmelin, Head of the Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports of the Swiss National Council. More info at Vaterland.