Grand Duke and Grand Duchess Attend Pontifical Mass for Closing of the Octave

Photo: René Scho / RTL / RTL.lu

Today is the fifth Sunday after Easter and so it is once again time for one of the Grand Duchy's major events of the year: the closing of the Octave of Our Lady of Luxembourg, Comforter of the Afflicted. ("What's that", you may ask - we conveniently explain everything to you in this Luxarazzi 101.) 

This afternoon will see a grand procession to mark the religious celebrations that is the closing of the Octave. Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie, as well as Prince Félix and Princess Claire are all confirmed to attend. Let's keep our fingers crossed that we will also see Amalia and Liam for the traditional balcony appearance.

This morning, the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess attended the equally traditional pontifical mass at the Cathédrale Notre-Dame to kick off the closing celebrations. Expect an upgraded dress code also featuring hats this afternoon. RTL has more pictures of the morning and a continues livestream.

Henri and Maria Teresa Attend Academic Session for CNDS

Photo: © Cour grand-ducale / Didier Sylvestre / tous droits réservés

On the 19th, Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa attended an academic session honoring the 50th anniversary of the Comité National de Défense Sociale (CNDS). The organization focuses on providing financial, educational, and social support to singles and families in need. This support ranges from immediate financial assistance to housing options to job searches and/or training opportunities for those seeking return to work.

More photos from the Cour.

Fashion Friday: May 12 - May 19

Fashion Friday posts are usually two weeks apart but Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie had a lot of events this week and I had a lot of identifications so I was able to write a full post.

On May 12th, Guillaume and Stephanie were in Venice, Italy for the Biennale. Stephanie wore a new Tara Jarmon dress (pictured here in pink) with Gucci bag and ballet flats (with thanks to @RoyalNorway on Twitter)

© Cour grand-ducale / Segantin Zambon / Tous droits réservés

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On May 13th , Guillaume and Stephanie spent their second day in Venice. Stephanie wore a white top first worn in May 2016 and pink pants, I think both are by Natan but as always, I can't confirmed this.

© Cour grand-ducale / Segantin Zambon / Tous droits réservés

She wore the same Gucci bag from the day before and nude ballet flats that could be from Tory Burch or Salvatore Ferragamo but it is hard to say without close-ups.

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On May 15th, Princess Marie-Gabrielle of Nassau, the Grand Duke's niece, married Antonius Willms in Luxembourg. The Grand Ducal Family was there. I can't tell what Maria-Teresa and Stephanie are wearing but I found Alexandra's dress to be from Liu Jo.

Foto: Anouk Antony / Wort.lu

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While looking for Alexandra's dress, I noticed that the flower print of the dress was the same as the one on the pants she wore to Prince Liam's baptism last month. The pants are indeed by Liu Jo too.

© Cour grand-ducale / Lola Velasco / Tous droits réservés

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On May 17th, Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria-Teresa went to the Luxembourg City's market. Maria-Teresa wore a full Issey Miyake outfit with a Bottega Veneta clutch.

© Cour grand-ducale / Didier Sylvestre / tous droits réservés

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Guillaume and Stéphanie were in France for the Cannes Film Festival in the evening. They walked the red carpet of the Palais des Festival for the opening ceremony. Stephanie looked gorgeous wearing a Ralph Lauren gown (Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden also wore this gown last year) and her Sergio Rossi white peep-toes shoes. Her clutch is new but I haven't been able to identify it so far.

© Cour grand-ducale / David Nivière / tous droits réservés

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Grand Duke Henri Visits Co-labor

Photo: © Cour grand-ducale / Claude Piscitelli / tous droits réservés

On the 18th, Grand Duke Henri was in Bertrange to visit Co-labor, a work cooperative that provides vocational training for participants and also works against different forms of social exclusion that inhibit work opportunities. The Grand Duke's attendance marked the opening of a new location for Co-labor. The organization started in 1983 and has played an active role in Luxembourg's social economy since its inception.

A few more photos from the Cour.

Guillaume and Stéphanie Support Luxembourgers at Cannes Film Festival

Photo: SODEC

After a glamorous opening night featuring some major jewels, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie and a very colourful jumpsuit were off to support fellow Luxembourgish countrymen during their second (and last) day at the Cannes Film Festival in the south of France. They were once again accompanied by Prime Minister Xavier Bettel for the day. The famous Cannes Film Festival celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. It is also the 15th year that Luxembourg's National Support Fund for Audiovisual Production has a pavilion in the International Village of the Film Festival - and that is exactly were the Hereditary Grand Duke and Hereditary Grand Duchess headed this morning. 

At the Luxembourgish pavilion they met about a hundred film professionals from 21 companies, including production companies and companies specialising in post-production, sound and new technologies, accredited to the Film Festival on behalf of Luxembourg. In the early afternoon, they also visited the Marché du Film, one of the largest film markets in the world, before attending the Luxembourgish reception at the Plage du Gray d’Albion in the evening.

No more pictures yet but we will make sure to add them if any become available. Pictures and videos of today and yesterday at RTL.

Guillaume and Stéphanie at Opening on Cannes Film Festival

Photo: Guillaume Horcajuelo / EPA

Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duches Stéphanie made their way to Cannes in the south of France, where they attended the opening night of the Cannes Film Festival earlier this evening. Stéphanie looked très chic in a white Ralph Lauren dress for the occasion. The Hereditary Grand Duke and Hereditary Grand Duchess were accompanied by Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, who is also the Minister for Culture, Communication and the Media, and his husband Gauthier Destenay for the event at the Grand Théâtre Lumière where they saw a screening of Les Fantomes d'Ismael (Ismael's Ghosts).

The famous Cannes Film Festival celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. It is also the 15th year that Luxembourg's National Support Fund for Audiovisual Production has a pavilion in the International Village of the Film Festival. Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume, Hereditary Grand Duches Stéphanie and Prime Minister Xaviel Bettel will make several visits in relation to this tomorrow, the Luxembourg Day of the film festival.

Edited to add: Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie also sported some spectacular new earrings this evening!

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Henri and Maria Teresa Stop by a Market

Photo: © Cour grand-ducale / Didier Sylvestre / tous droits réservés

Today, Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa visited an open-air market in the City of Luxembourg. The Mayor, Lydie Polfer, and the President of the Lëtzebuerger Maartverband, Niki Kirsch, were also there to accompany them.

Photo: © Cour grand-ducale / Didier Sylvestre / tous droits réservés

Photo: © Cour grand-ducale / Didier Sylvestre / tous droits réservés

The Grand Ducal couple greeted other visitors to the market and chatted with the merchants about their products.

Photo: © Cour grand-ducale / Didier Sylvestre / tous droits réservés

Photo: © Cour grand-ducale / Didier Sylvestre / tous droits réservés

As most of the merchants at the market are local to Luxembourg, Henri and Maria Teresa asked questions about the range of products being offered in the Grand Duchy. Franck Panier, chef of the Cour, also frequents the market for items to include in menus at the Palais grand-ducal. 

Photo: © Cour grand-ducale / Didier Sylvestre / tous droits réservés

Photo: © Cour grand-ducale / Didier Sylvestre / tous droits réservés

In addition to talking to the merchants, the Grand Ducal couple taste-tested a variety of items during their visit.

Photo: © Cour grand-ducale / Didier Sylvestre / tous droits réservés

Photo: © Cour grand-ducale / Didier Sylvestre / tous droits réservés

Photo: © Cour grand-ducale / Didier Sylvestre / tous droits réservés

A Load of Pictures of Guillaume and Stéphanie in Venice

This past weekend Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie visited Venice for this year's Biennale exhibition. They paid visits to the Luxembourgish, Belgian and Scottish pavilions on Friday as well as the official exhibition "Viva Arte Viva" on Saturday. Today, the cour released 23 pictures of both days - enjoy! For more information on all the events related to the Biennale, have a look at our previous post.

All photos: Cour grand-ducale / Segantin Zambon / tous droits réservés