The Grand Duchess at Red Cross Gala

Today, the Luxembourgish Red Cross honoured its most frequent blood donors at the Centre Prince Henri in Walferdange. In her capacity as president of the Red Cross the Grand Duchess Maria Teresa presented different medals to about 800 people who donate blood on a regular basis, and have reached the milestones of 80 donations that qualifies for a medal in gold, a silver medal for 40 donation, or a bronze one for 20 donations.

More pictures can be found on the official homepage of the Court.

Sources: Croix Rouge, Lëtzebuerger Journal

The Grand Duke receives Commissionar General of UNRWA

The Commissionar General of the United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East paid a visit to Luxembourg. He met various important people of the Grand Duchy, including the Grand Duke Henri.

During Grandi's meeting with the Luxembourgish minister for Cooperation and Humanitarian affairs, Marie-Josée Jacobs, it was agreed that Luxembourg will give an extra of one and a half million Euros to support UNRWA health care in the Palestinian territory. Thus, Luxembourg has contributed about 4,25 million Euros in the year of 2010 and is one of the major contribution forces and, therefore, qualifies for membership of the Advisory Board.


Sources: Cour Grand-Ducale, UNRWA

Maria Teresa Honors Volunteers

Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, in her capacity as president for the Luxembourg Foundation Against Cancer (Fondation Luxembourgeoish Contre le Cancer), hosted a reception for volunteers of the Foundation Against Cancer at the Grand Ducal Palace on December 5, 2010. Appropriately, the reception coincided with International Volunteer Day.

The Luxembourg Foundation Against Cancer works to prevent cancer, assists those living with the disease, and works to reduce the number of deaths from cancer. The foundation offers many free services to those coping with cancer, such as: support groups, psychological counseling, administrative advice, yoga, chemotherapy consultations for choosing wigs and personal care products, and a network of volunteers to provide companionship and support. The Grand Duchess honored these deserving volunteers for all of their hard work. 

Sources: Monarchie.luGalerie, luxembourg.angloinfo

The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess Visit the International Bazaar

Their Royal Highnesses the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess visited the International Bazaar at the LuxExpo Hall in Kirchberg on December 4, 2010. They visited the stalls of 53 different countries and sampled some of their best national products, foods, and wines, all of which produced one-half million euros to benefit over 100 international charities. This year's Bazaar also benefited TRH's foundation's efforts in Burundi. 

Between December 4th and December 5th, more than 30,000 people visited the International Bazaar which was celebrating it's 50th year in Luxembourg. The International Bazaar of Luxembourg is an independent, secular, voluntary, charity organization that traces its origins back to a series of small church bazaars that began in the early 1960's. 

Post-war Luxembourg was growing in its engagement in European affairs and the country was teeming with foreign born residents, particularly young European officials and their families. These creative individuals produced a number of new organizations, including the International Bazaar. The first Bazaar was held in connection with the Anglican Church of Luxembourg to raise money for the church and for charity. After its first year, the Baazar moved further into the Luxembourg community being held on rue Notre Dame in 1961 under the joint patronage of American and British ambassadors and staffed by volunteers of many nationalities. 

The 1962 Bazaar raised 75,000 Luf for the "Clinique d'enfants, Fondation Jean-Josephine Charlotte," bringing the event to the attention of the Grand Ducal Family. In 1967 the Bazaar was placed under the high patronage of Grand Duchess Josephine-Charlotte and continues under the high patronage of Grand Duchess Maria-Teresa today. 

Sources: Monarchie.luGalerie, bazar-international.lu

Maria Teresa attends film premiere

Today, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa visited the premiere of a film called "Lynn? Virwat net? Inclusioun gëtt et!" at the Utopolis Cinema. Unfortunately, my (almost non-existent) knowledge of the Luxembourgish language is insuffcient to translate the title. The film focuses on a young girl with trisomy 21 and accompanies her throughout her last year at Primary School in Lorentzweiler, the very same school Guillaume, Félix and Louis attended for their first six years of schooling.

The film is produced by Elteren a Pedagoge fir Integratioun, an organisation of parents and teachers that campaigns for the coexistence of all humans in all parts of society. The Fondation du Grand-Duc et la Grande-Duchesse helped to realise the film.

Elteren a Pedagoge fir Integratioun kindly offers a large gallery of pictures.


Sources: EPI, Cour Grand-Ducale

European Microfinance Award

The Grand Duchess and The Hereditary Grand Duke attended the third European Microfinance Award. The award was part of the European Microfinance Week hosted by the European Microfinance Platform.

It is difficult to tell if Maria Teresa and Guillaume have participated in any other parts of the conference. Maria Teresa gave an address at the award ceremony last night. She gave certificates of achievement to representatives of several mirco-credit organizations. Harbu received the 100,000 Euro award for enhancing value chain financing. The finance award was funded by the Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The focus of the conference is ‘financial inclusion’ and ‘combining profit with social impact.' The conference seems intellectually stimulating. Combining profit with social contribution can be a delicate balancing act.

On the superficial side, I feel like the US Ambassador always looks like she wants to eat Guillaume. Maria Teresa looks fab. I love the Asian inspired jacket and orange is a great color for her. Now my dear Guillaume...I love your beard. I like your cute belly. I can deal with how thin your face and arms are. I can even deal with knowing that you aren't really all that nice and that you aren't always professional. You know what I can't deal with?? I abhore that worn out yellow tie that you insist on wearing to practically every other engagement. Mmmmm, haterade. ;) I think it is time for Secret Operation Dancing Hula Pig 2.0.

Manuel Dias has a gallery of photographs of the award ceremony.

A month full of audiences

During the whole of November the Grand Duke Henri has received different people in the Palais Grand-Ducale.

It all started with the visit of former Polish Prime Minister and now president of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek on November 9th. On the very same day, the Grand Duke also met Felix Unger, the founder and president of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts.

A few days later, on November 12th, the newly elected German president Christian Wulff came to Luxembourg for his very first but rather short official visit. A few short videos of the visit, including short glimpses of the Grand Duke and his lovely wife Maria-Teresa, can be found here and here. Belga also offers a few more pictures.

Again a few days later, on November 17th to be precise, the presidents of the six different parts of the Institut Grand-Ducal visited the Palais for an audience with the Grand Duke.

Finally, on November 23th, the Grand Duke met with participants of the Global China Business Meeting that took place in Luxembourg.

700 Years...Pt. 2

Henri was welcomed to Prague by President Klaus. After the welcome ceremony he and The President enjoyed a private meeting and Henri was given a tour of Prague Castle. He also visited St. Vitus Cathedral in the company of Archbishop Duka. Later, he took in the Royal Wedding exhibit. 

The Presidential Couple hosted a gala dinner in honor of their distinguished guest. During his speech, The President highlighted the historic connection between the nations. The President stated, "It is not possible to name all the personalities and events or to mention all the historical and personal ties through which our two countries have been connected since but at least the name of Charles IV must be mentioned. It was under his rule when Prague became the political centre of the Holy Roman Empire and the cultural capital of Central Europe. It is symbolic that you, Your Royal Highness, have visited the Karlštejn Castle today, a place which Charles IV built for safekeeping of the royal treasures. I should also add that it was Charles IV who elevated the County of Luxembourg to the rank of Duchy in 1354."

Luxembourg and the Czech Republic have issued a joint stamp marking the 700th anniversary of the accession of the Luxembourg dynasty. Commemorative coins were also minted by both nations. The coin minted by Luxembourg is viewable on page 20 of the Central Back of Luxembourg brochure.

It is important to note that the Luxembourg dynasty is not the same dynasty that now reigns in The Grand Duchy. Various articles cover the history of the Luxembourg dynasty. Even the page on the stamps offers a brief history lesson.

DayLife has photos of the visit.



Thanks to Ducii for the links and information!

700 years ago...

...Count Jean de Luxembourg (aka John the Blind and John of Bohemia) became king of Bohemia. This marked the beginning of the Luxembourg dynasty in Bohemia. He was an important figure and his life is interesting from a historical perspective. The journey of his mortal remains to their final resting place is intriguing enough to merit giving him a good google. A brief but informative history was compiled to mark the 700th anniversary of the wedding of John of Luxembourg to Elisabeth of Premyslides.

The Czech Republic has been celebrating the anniversary of accession of the Luxembourg dynasty all year. Many exhibits and seminars were arranged. I wish I had been able to see the exhibit on royal marriage. I think the seminar on life in the 14th century royal court would have been a nice way to spend an afternoon. I like history but I love royal history.

Henri is visiting Prague today. President Vaclav Klaus will receive The Grand Duke at Prague Castle. The visit coincides with the 700th anniversary celebrations.

I've only just started blogging again. Please, be patient with me. I will update with pictures, news and links for all the events that I have missed. I just have to get through finals and Thanksgiving before I return to my normally up-to-date blogging.

Birthday Celebrations

On 5 January 2011 Grand Duke Jean will celebrate his ninth decade. A gala concert will be held to mark the occasion. Most of The Grand Ducal Family is scheduled to attend the event.

The Philharmonic Orchestra of Luxembourg will play Mozart's Symphony No. 41 (Jupiter) in C major and Beethoven's Symphony No. 8 in F major. The youth orchestra of the UGDA (Union Grand-Duc Adolphe) will also preform.

Tickets to the concert were offered to the general public at no charge. Unfortunately the event is already sold out.

Luxemburger Wort indicates that all of the children and grand children of Grand Duke Jean will be in attendance. I assume that their respective spouses will also be in attendance. I have listed these individuals  for the benefit of those less familiar with the extended family. I really doubt that Louis' sons or the youngest child of Guillaume will attend. Would you try sit through Mozart and Beethoven with a seven year old at 10pm?

     1. The Grand Duke ∞ The Grand Duchess
         1.1.The Hereditary Grand Duke
          1.2. Prince Félix
           1.3. Prince Louis ∞ Princess Tessy
            1.4. Princess Alexandra
             1.5. Prince Sébastien

     2. Princess Marie-Astrid ∞ Archduke Carl-Christian of Austria
         2.1. Archduchess Marie-Christine ∞ Count Rodolphe de Limburg-Stirum
          2.2. Archduke Imre
           2.3. Archduke Christoph
            2.4. Archduke Alexander
             2.5. Archduchess Gabriella

     3. Prince Jean ∞ Diane
         3.1. Princess Marie-Gabrielle
          3.2. Prince Constantin
           3.3. Prince Wenceslas
            3.4. Prince Carl

    4. Princess Margaretha ∞ Prince Nikolaus of Liechtenstein
        4.1. Princess Maria-Anunciata
         4.2. Princess Marie-Astrid
          4.3. Prince Josef

     5. Prince Guillaume ∞ Princess Sibilla
         5.1. Prince Paul Louis
          5.2. Prince Léopold
           5.3. Princess Charlotte
            5.4. Prince Jean

For those of you interested in unmarried princes...In addition to your regularly scheduled Guillaume and Félix watching, I recommend keeping your eyes open for their cousins. The grandsons of Grand Duke Jean hit the genetic lotto. They are much better looking than all those other "hot" princes I've been seeing on lists this week.  Maybe I should put together a proper list? Team Imre!