Fashion Focus: May 28th - June 13th

We start this new Fashion Focus post with two old finds! I discovered that Princess Alexandra wore a sweater by Essentiel Antwerp during the state visit to Japan back in November 2017. It was one of the few outfits Alexandra didn't borrow from her mother during this visit.

Photo: SIP / Charles Caratini

Photo: Lyst

I also found out that Grand Duchess Maria Teresa wore an embellished Max Mara top when she and Grand Duke Henri attended APEMH anniversary on May 3rd.

Photo: Charles Caratini / APEMH

Photo: Lyst

On May 31st, Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa attended the 30th anniversary of Luxembourg Air Rescue. Maria Teresa wore a new teal dress by Paule Ka ( one of Stéphanie's favorite brand) with a matching Bottega Veneta clutch and nude Prada pumps.

Photo: Guy Jallay/ Luxembourg Wort/ Wort.lu

Photo: Paule Ka

Photo: Tradesy

Photo: Lyst

On June 1st, Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa attended the House of Startups opening. Maria Teresa also welcomed Jadranka Miličević in an audience at the Grand-Ducal Palace. Maria Teresa wore another Paule Ka outfit, this time a pink trench coat with a matching pink dress underneath.

Photo: House of Startups

Photo: Cour grand-ducale / tous droits réservés

Photo: Paule Ka

Photo: Paule Ka

On June 2nd, Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa attended the memorial for the Secretary of State. Maria Teresa wore a custom-made Yves Dooms outfit with her Bottega Veneta clutch and black pumps.

Photo: Guy Jallay/ Luxembourg Wort/ Wort.lu

Photo: Bottega Veneta

On June 2nd, Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa visited flood victims. Maria Teresa wore a new purple Burberry trench coat.

Photo: Guy Jallay/ Luxembourg Wort/ Wort.lu

Photo: Neiman Marcus

On June 4th, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie attended a conference. Stéphanie wore an old Natan top based on the dress pictured below.

Photo: Kary Photography

Photo: Natan

On June 5th, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa attended a war medicine conference. It's hard to be 100% sure but I believe she wore a Paule Ka jacket and a matching Paule Ka top.

Photo: Ville de Dudelange – Roberto Santoprete

Photo: Paule Ka

Photo: Paule Ka

On June 5th, Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie attended the MUDAM's Patron's Night. She wore a new blue top with her Gucci handbag.

Photo: Mike Zenari / Mudam Luxembourg 

Photo: Gucci

On June 6th, Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa attended the 35th anniversary of Déi Gréng. Maria Teresa wore a new Paule Ka dress, the purple version of the teal dress she debuted at the beginning of the month.

Photo: David Laurent

Photo: Paule Ka

On June 6th, Hereditary Prince Alois and Hereditary Princess Sophie paid an official visit to Ukraine and met the Presidential couple. Sophie wore a Dolce & Gabbana dress with a Chanel bag.

Photo: Mykola Lazarenko

Photo: Farfetch

Photo: Tradesy

On June 12th, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie visited the Kräizbierg Foundation. Stéphanie wore a new white top with her Sergio Rossi clutch and her Castaner wedges.

Photo: René Scho / RTL / RTL.lu

Photo: Sergio Rossi

Photo: Castaner

Finally, I have an ID for Princess Sibilla! I'm not sure of the date but Prince Guillaume and Princess Sibilla attended a dinner in Brussels recently. Sibilla wore a blue Georges Hobeika gown.

Photo: Violaine Le Hardÿ de Beaulieu

Photo: Georges Hobeika

What did you think of these outfits? Fashion Focus will be back next week for a National Day special edition! 

Guillaume and Stéphanie Support the Kräizbierg Foundation

Photo: René Scho / RTL / RTL.lu

Earlier today, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie paid a visit to the Kräizbierg Foundation, which aims to integrate people with handicaps into society and the job market. The event saw the presentation of certificates of the Kräizbierg training centre, as well as the deserving staff of the foundation.

Photo: René Scho / RTL / RTL.lu

The Hereditary Grand Duke's association with the Fondation Kräizbierg is a long-standing one. He served as the President of the Board of Directors from 2000, one of his first new roles after becoming first in line to the throne, until his resignation in 2011 due to an otherwise increasing workload of official duties. At the time of his resignation, Guillaume noted that he enjoyed his role with the foundation and would continue to dedicate his time and support to the foundation in his new role as Honorary President of the Board of Directors. He has remained true to his word and continues to be an enthusiastic supporter of the Foundation.

A large gallery of visuals of the day at RTL.

Luxembourg and the First World War

Guy Jallay

The Grand Duke and the Hereditary Grand Duke visited the popular exhibit Lëtzebuerg an de Eischte Weltkrich (Luxembourg and the First World War). The exhibition features many photographs, artifacts, weapons and stories from the war. 

Luxembourg was occupied from August 1914 until the war ended in November 1918. The Grand Ducal Family faced much criticism during and immediately after the War. Grand Duchess Marie-Adelaide was erroneously viewed as pro-German and shortly before the end of the War her sister, Princess Antonia, announced her engagement to Crown Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria. Shortly after the war Luxembourg held a referendum on the future of the monarchy and Grand Duchess Marie-Adelaide would abdicate in favor of her sister Charlotte. 

After vising the exhibit Henri traveled to Differdange to attend the 25th anniversary celebrations of Ënnerdaach a.s.b.l. Guillaume and his Stephanie were also in Differdange attending the 40th anniversary of the Kräizbierg Foundation.

40 Years of Kräizbierg

René Scho

On 15 June, the Hereditary Grand Duke and Hereditary Grand Duchess took part in events marking the 40th anniversary of the Kräizbierg Foundation. Guillaume is a long time supporter of the foundation. His association with the Kräizbierg Foundation was one of his first positions after he was formally named Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg. He served as the actual President of the Board of Directors from 2000 until his 2011 resignation of those duties to become the Honorary President of the Board of Directors. At the time of his resignation, Guillaume noted that he enjoyed his role with the foundation and would continue to dedicate his time and support to the foundation in his new role as Honorary President of the Board of Directors. He has remained true to his word and continues to be an enthusiastic supporter of persons with disabilities. Since their marriage Hereditary Grand Duchess Stephanie has also enthusiastically supported of the foundation.

RTL has many photographs of the event.

René Scho

René Scho

René Scho

Guillaume and Stéphanie Support the Kräizbierg Foundation

Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie attended a graduation event for the Kräizbierg Foundation, which provides workforce training to those who face disabilities. This event was a presentation of certificates for those who had completed the training, and it was followed up by a visit by the Hereditary Grand Ducal couple to the foundation's workshops.

Corinne Cahen, the Minister of Family and Integration, was also in attendance.

The Hereditary Grand Duke and Hereditary Grand Duchess have been long-time supporters of the Kräizbierg Foundation. More about the organization and the event at the Cour website.

Guillaume (and Stéphanie) at Kräizbierg Gala

Photo: Hervé Montaigu / Editpress / L'essentiel / lessentiel.lu

Already on Friday night, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and possibly Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie were present for a gala dinner in favour of the Fondation Kräizbierg in Mondorf-les-Bains. I say possibly as we don't have pictures of the event yet and only Guillaume is mentioned on the official agenda but I recall this being the case in previous years and Stéphanie still accompanying him. The Hereditary Grand Duke has been long involved with the foundation that helps to integrate people with handicaps into society and the job market. He became the Fondation Kräizbierg's honorary president in March 2011 after serving as its actual president for more than ten years. 

If pictures become available we will add them to this post so make sure to check back later on!

Hereditary Couple Attend Anniversary Concert

Photo: Kräizbierg Foundation / All Rights Reserved

On November 30, the Hereditary Grand Duke and the Hereditary Grand Duchess attended the Fanfare Prince Henri Bonnevoie concert on the 10th anniversary of the Domaine Schoumansbongert de la Fondation Kräizbierg. The concert was created by the young musicians to honor the Hereditary Couple. The couple, for their part, enjoyed sharing personal moments with the disabled individuals who benefit from the foundation's work. 

Guillaume's association with the Kräizbierg Foundation was one of his first positions after he was formally named Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg. He served as the President of the Board of Directors from 2000 until his 2011 resignation. At the time of his resignation, Guillaume noted that he enjoyed his role with the foundation and would continue to dedicate his time and support to the foundation in his new role as Honorary President of the Board of Directors. He has remained true to his word and continues to be an enthusiastic supporter of persons with disabilities. 

Hereditary Grand Duchess Stephanie provided a splash of color to the event with a vibrant dress from Diane von Furstenberg. You may remember from Luxarazzi 101 that colorful DvF creations are a favorite of the Luxembourg and Liechtenstein ladies.

This and That

Earlier today, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume visited the company ELTH in Steinsel. After a presentation about the enterprise, he toured the facilities of the manufacturer of various electromechanical components for the automotive and household appliances industries. Thus far, there don't seem to be any pictures of the visit available online yet.

Last night, an exhibition featuring works by French artist Pal Sarkozy was opened at the Landesmuseum in Liechtenstein. Among the guests for the opening of the exhibition, which will run until January 25, was no other than Hereditary Prince Alois himself. More information though not Luxarazzi-relevant pictures can be found at Volksblatt.

Already on Friday last week, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie were present for a gala dinner in favour of the Fondation Kräizbierg. The Hereditary Grand Duke has been long involved with the foundation that helps to integrate people with handicaps into society and the job market. He became the Fondation Kräizbierg's honorary president in in March 2011 after serving as its actual president for more than ten years. Unforntunately though, no pictures of the event are available yet.

Turns out I was right when I said a few days ago that there like were more ambassadors who presented their letters of credence to the Grand Duke on last Thursday. In addition to Peadar Carpenter from Ireland, there were Carlos Maria de Lojendio y Pardo Manuel de Villena of Spain, Timo Ranta of Finland, Roberto Flores-Bermudez of Honduras as well as Mimoza Ahmetaj of Kosovo.

Guillaume Back at Kräizbierg

Photo: MFAMIGR

Together with Minister Corinne Cahen, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume took part in the latest graduation ceremony of the Fondation Kräizbierg in Dudelange yesterday. The Hereditary Grand Duke has long been involved with the charity for disabled people and is currently their honorary president after having served as chairman for more than ten years. 

More pictures can be found on the website of Luxembourg's government.

Being Charitable

Photo: ZVG / Liechtensteiner Volksblatt / Volksblatt.li

Last night Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume took part in a ceremony thanking all volunteers who have worked for the Fondation Kräizbierg during the past few months. The Hereditary Grand Duke has long been involved with the charity for disabled people and is currently their honorary president after having served as chairman for more than ten years. Usually pictures of Kräizbierg events pop up later rather than sooner so stay tuned.

Meanwhile in Liechtenstein, Princess Marie was reportedly happy to receive a donation of 75,000 Swiss franc - No idea how much that is? Have it converted into your currency here. - for the Liechtenstein Red Cross. The heads of the country's eleven municipalities had decided during their last meeting to do some good before the end of the year and donate the money from the disaster relief fund to the victims of the recent typhoon in the Philippines. 

Source: CGD, Volksblatt

Back in Luxembourg

Photo: Gerry Huberty / Luxemburger Wort / Wort.lu

Returning from the Provençal wedding adventures to their normal schedule of work, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and the seriously lovely looking Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie attended a gala dinner in favour of the Fondation Kräizbierg earlier tonight. The Hereditary Grand Duke has been long involved with the foundation that helps to integrate people with handicaps into society and the job market. He became the Fondation Kräizbierg's honorary president in in March 2011 after serving as its actual president for more than ten years.

Wort has more pictures of tonight's event that took place in Mondorf-les-Bains.

Source: Wort

Luxarazzi 101: The Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg

Photo: CGD

31 years ago today, the then Hereditary Grand Duke Henri and his lovely new wife Hereditary Grand Duchess Maria Teresa welcomed an itty-bitty baby boy almost exactly nine months after their wedding. The sound of cannons announced little Guillaume’s birth while many Luxembourgers were having their lunch.  The young boy was christened Guillaume Jean Joseph Marie, his godparents being his aunt Princess Marie-Astrid and his uncle Prince Guillaume.

About 19 years later, after his father had taken to the throne a few weeks earlier, Prince Guillaume became the Hereditary Grand Duke on December 18th 2000. His official title is H.R.H. Prince Guillaume, Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg, Hereditary Prince of Nassau and Prince de Bourbon de Parme. (We simply call him Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume here to avoid confusion with his uncle and namesake.)

Photo: CGD

Most recently Luxembourg's heir to the throne caught the world's eye when he married Belgian born Countess Stéphanie de Lannoy in a beautiful two-day event. So it's a good time as any to look back on Guillaume's life; especially because we have a few new readers here on the blog - Welcome! - who are probably not as familiar with den Ierfgroussherzog as those who have been long interested.

Education 

Guillaume started his education at the local primary school in Lorentzweiler, before continuing to the Lycée Robert Schuman in Luxembourg City. He then attended the super-expensive and equally exclusive College Alpin Beau Soleil in Villars-sur-Ollon, Switzerland, where he received his French Baccalaureate in 2001.

Photo: Getty Images

After completing school, the Hereditary Grand Duke undertook a 44 week education at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst; something his father and his uncle Prince Jean had done before him and his brother Prince Félix as well as his cousins Prince Josef, Archduke Alexander and Prince Wenceslas would do after him. On August 9th 2002, he had his passing out parade that was attended by his parents, siblings, paternal grandparents and his cousin Archduke Imre. In December that same year, he took the oath as an officer in the Luxembourgish army. Now he holds the rank of a Lieutenant-Colonel.

Photo: Zack

He attended Durham University and Brunel University in Great Britain before graduating from Institut Albert le Grand in Angers, France. Actually he got his degree from the Université d' Angers as both institutions have a partnership agreement. The humanities and political science program is completed at Albert le Grand and the degree is issued by Université d' Angers. Guillaume completed the program with honors in 2009.
In between his university education, he did various internships in Belgium, England and Spain. Iin 2005 He took part in the United Nation’s “Millennium Conference” in New York. In 2006 he also attended the Institut Philanthropos in Fribourg, Switzerland, something his archducal cousins Imre and Christoph also did.

Photo. CGD

Of all the Grand Duke's children only Guillaume is fully fluent in Luxembourgish, French, English, German and Spanish.

Official Duties

Since graduating from university in 2009, the Hereditary Grand Duke has taken to his job full time, which means that he frequently attends various events relating to the Grand Duchy at home and abroad.

He has been honorary president of the "Board of Economic Development" (today commonly known as "Luxembourg for Business") since 2001. He is a frequent traveller between Luxembourg, the Middle East, Asia, North America and other parts of the world inbetween to accompany delegations on economic missions.

Since 2005, he is a member of the Conseil d'Etat (State Council) and regularly attends commissions and plenary sessions. He is also a member of the board of the Fondation du Grand-Duc et de la Grande-Duchesse.

Photo: Christian Aschman/CGD

In early 2012, he did an internship at the European Union in Brussels. 

He is a patron of the "Luxembourg Youth Hostel Association", the "Association nationale des victimes de la Route", the “Jeunesses Musicales du Luxembourg" and the "European Union Youth Wind Orchestra", as well as the "Luxembourg Cycling Federation". Funnily enough, I have seen basically every other family member (the Grand Duke, the Grand Duchess, Grand Duke, Jean, Prince Félix, Prince Louis, Princess Tessy, Prince Gabriel, Prince Noah, Princess Alexandra, Prince Sébastien and Princess Margaretha) but Guillaume attend cycling (related) events.

Guillaume is the honorary president of the Fondation Kräizbierg, a charity for the disabled, since autumn 2010, after being its chairman for more than ten years.

Other activities and interests

In summer 1997, Guillaume participated in a humanitarian aid camp in Nepal, as a member of the Luxembourg Scout movement. Two years later he went on a a charitable mission to Aguas Callentes to bring social and educational assistance to children in one of the poorest regions of Mexico.

Photo: Luxemburger Wort

He is very interested in Social Business and frequently accompanied her mother on trips concerning this subject.

Guillaume says that he is interested in politics, economics and philosophy; his favourite books
include biographies and historical novels. He  enjoys both classical and modern msuic. He piano and guitar. When he was a child, he sung Pueri Cantores Choir of Luxembourg. While in Switzerland, he was a singer in the school rock band. Guillaume also enjoys theatre, he took part in several school plays during his studies in Switzerland.

Photo: Christian Aschman/CGD

He is also a keen sportsman and enjoys football, tennis, skiing, swimming and water sports.

Private life

After having been linked to different woman, the Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume announced his engagement to Countess Stéphanie de Lannoy on April 27th, 2012. The couple married civilly on October 19th and religiously on October 20th. They are currently enjoying their honeymoon at an undisclosed location. Later this month, they will embark on an economic mission to China.

Guillaume is the godfather of his brother Sébastien, to his nephew Prince Noah and his cousin Prince Paul-Louis, as well as Prince Emmanuel of Belgium and Princess Ariane of the Netherlands.