Prince Félix Attends Book Presentations

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Prince Félix was out and about in Paris yesterday attending the launch of the book "Mon Luxembourg" by Stéphane Bern at the Luxembourgish embassy in the French capital. Afterwards, he also attended the presentation of the book "Art de vivre à la française en Provence" at the Hôtel de Guénégaud. More pictures at Getty Images.

Hereditary Prince Receives New Ambassadors

Photo: IKR

Hereditary Prince Alois received five new ambassadors to Liechtenstein today for the presentation of their letters of credence. The ambassadors in question were Jacob Keidar from Israel (pictured), Fernando Carranza Cifuentes from Guatemala, Igor Cesar from Ruanda, Tudor Ulianovschi from Moldova and Michael Matthiesen of the representation of the European Union.

Grand Duke Henri Receives Chambre des Députés Officers

Photo: Charles Caratini / Cour grand-ducale

On Tuesday, Grand Duke Henri received in audience the officers of the Chambre des Députés, in recognition of the parliamentary opening for the 2016-2017 session. Among them were President of the Chambre des Députés Mars di Bartolomeo and the three individuals in Vice-President roles Simone Beissel, Laurent Mosar, and Henri Kox, as well as others.

A little more from the Cour.

Members of the Grand Ducal Family in Belgium

Le Grand-Duc Henri de #Luxembourg est à #Bruxelles pour une conférence sur les souvenirs familiaux et l' #Europe @CourGrandDucale #royal pic.twitter.com/StLaFYjJM8

— Place Royale (@RTLPlaceRoyale) November 7, 2016

Grand Duke Henri, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, and Princess Alexandra were in Brussels today to attend the Grandes Conférences Catholiques to honor that organization's 85th anniversary. The Grand Duke opened the event by speaking on the topic of "Souvenirs d’une dynastie au sujet de la construction européenne" ("Memories of a dynasty on the subject of European construction"). He was followed by Count Herman Van Rompuy, who has served as the Belgian Prime Minister and  the President of the European Council.

Pope Francis Meets 300 Habsburgs

All photos: L'Osservatore Romano

Archduchess Marie-Astrid, older sister of the Grand Duke, and her husband Archduke Carl-Christian were among some 300 members of the Habsburg family who were received in audience by Pope Francis yesterday. They were most likely accompanied by their children though there are only pictures of their son-in-law Count Rodolphe de Limburg-Stirum and grandson Count Constantin; Archduke Imre and Archduchess Kathleen with their daughters Maria-Stella and Magdalena; as well as their daughter-in-law Archduchess Adélaïde and their granddaughter Katarina thus far.

The Habsburgs made a family pilgrimage to the Vatican on the occasion of the Jubilee of Mercy. “In this happy circumstance, you also remember in a special way Blessed Charles of Austria, who precisely one hundred years ago acceded to the throne. His spiritual presence in your midst ensures that the Habsburg family today does not turn to the past in a nostalgic manner but, on the contrary, is actively present in the current moment, with its challenges and its needs. Indeed, some of you hold prominent roles in organisations of solidarity and human and cultural development; as well as in support of the project of Europe as a common home founded on human and Christian values”, the Pope said. 

“Charles of Austria was first and foremost a good family father, and as such, a servant of life and peace”, he continued speaking about the last ruler of the Austro-Hungarian empire who was beatified in 2004. “He had known war, having served as a simple soldier at the beginning of the First World War. Assuming his reign in 1916, and sensitive to the voice of Pope Benedict XV, he did his utmost to promote peace, at the cost of being misunderstood and ridiculed. In this too he offers us an example, more relevant than ever, and we can invoke him as an intercessor to obtain from God peace for humanity”.

More pictures by the Vatican press agency here.

Grand Ducal Family Members at All Souls' Day Mass

On November 2nd, members of the Grand Ducal family attended the annual All Souls' Day Mass at the Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Luxembourg. Grand Duke Henri, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, Prince Guillaume, and Princess Sibilla were present. They were greeted by Archbishop Jean-Claude Hollerich who also performed the blessing of the graves to honor deceased members of the family.

No photos at present, but they'll be added it they're made available.

Prince Max and Prince Philipp Hand Out LGT Award

Photo: Volksblatt / Volksblatt.li

On October 18th, Prince Max and Prince Philipp gave out the LGT Award to honor organizations that demonstrates excellence in social engagement. This year, the award went to two organizations, Caritas Liechtenstein and the Liachtbleck Foundation, to recognize the hard work of volunteers in providing effective assistance to those in need. As part of the award, each organization received CHF 25,000. The decision was made based on the application of 28 different organizations.

More information from Volksblatt.

Hereditary Prince Alois at Impuls Liechtenstein

Photo: Volksblatt / Volkblatt.li

On October 25th, Hereditary Prince Alois was in Schaan for Impuls Liechtenstein 2016, the program that highlights innovative opportunities in Liechtenstein, particularly among young people. The program also focuses on organizing LVCs (Liechtenstein Venture Cooperatives) by bringing together inventors and innovators with the investors that would like to support them.

Prime Minister Adrian Hasler was also in attendance.

More photos at Volksblatt.

Party at the Castle with Liechtenstein's Future

Photo: Roland Korner / Liechtensteiner Volksblatt / Volksblatt.li

You know you come from a seriously small country when your head of state - or his regent - invite you for a party to his home when you turn 18. That's what happened in Liechtenstein last week. Hereditary Prince Alois and Hereditary Princess Sophie welcomed exactly 300 young Liechtensteiners reaching the age of majority this year for the annual Jungbürgerfeier, or young citizen's party, to Schloss Vaduz. In his speech, Deputy Prime Minister Thomas Zwiefelhofer told the young men and women, "You are the future, make use of your democratic rights!"

More pictures at Volksblatt.

Visuals Evidence of the Finance Mission to China

Photo: Luxembourg for Finance

Oh là là, we have pictures from the recent finance mission to China courtesy of the cour grand-ducale. They are available on their website. The mission led the Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume, his glasses, Minister Pierre Gramegna and an accompanying delegation of about 110 people to Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen. During their stay in China, a cooperation agreement between Luxembourg for Finance (LFF) and the Shanghai Financial Association (SFA) was signed, as was an agreement between the Confucius Institute Headquarters in China and Fudan University as well as the University of Luxembourg for the establishment of a Confucius Institute at the University of Luxembourg.