Luxembourg and Liechtenstein Royals at Dinner in Brussels

Photos: Violaine Le Hardÿ de Beaulieu

Archduchess Marie-Astrid and Archduke Carl-Christian, Prince Guillaume and Princess Sibilla, as well as Princess Isabelle and her sister Countess Birky de Villegas de Saint Pierre Jette all attended a dinner hosted by the Baron and Baroness Gillion Crowet in Brussels the other day. The event was dedicated to the presentation of the book Naga, la beauté de l’effroi by Michel Draguet about the art and culture of the Naga people, an ethnic group consisting of several tribes native to the North Eastern part of India and north-western Myanmar.

More photos of the event at Point de Vue.

Grand Duke Henri Celebrates 60 Years of Benelux

Photo: © Cour grand-ducale / Claude Piscitelli

On June 5th, Grand Duke Henri was in Brussels for events related to the 60th anniversary of Benelux, or the Benelux Economic Union that was established in 1958. Also in attendance were King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and King Philippe of the Belgians.

The events began with a lunch which the three heads of state attended at the Palais Royal, along with Luxembourg's Minister for Cooperation and Humanitarian Action, Romain Schneider, the Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders and the Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok. Afterwards, they visited the General Secretariat of the Benelux, where a plaque was unveiled that identified the building as the House of Benelux. Three children, one from each country, were also present for the event.

Following the unveiling, the heads of state visited the Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels and met with fifteen students to chat with them about the connections between each of the countries. At its signing the Benelux Economic Union highlighted the themes of economy within the union of countries, internal affairs and justice, and sustainability. The Benelux Economic Union of 1958 was originally signed for 50 years and then renewed as the Benelux Union in 2008 with the added focus on security; the signing of 2008 remains in effect indefinitely unless altered.

Information and more photos from the Cour website.

Grand Duke Learns About Water Management

Photo: © Christof Weber / Cour grand-ducale

On the 4th, Grand Duke Henri was in Diekirch to visit the Administration de la gestion de l’eau (AGE) -- i.e., the Water Management Administration -- and learn more about flood forecasting. The role of rivers and dams was foremost during the engagement.

After this, the Grand Duke took the time to see the expansion to the wastewater treatment facility in Bleesbrück, at the Syndicat Intercommunal de Dépollution des Eaux Résiduaires du Nord (SIDEN).

The Minister of the Environment Carole Dieschbourg was also in attendance.

Information and another photo from the Cour website.

Grand Ducal Family Hosts Institutional Dinner

All photos: Cour grand-ducale / Claude Piscitelli

This evening, Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa hosted the Grand Duchy's Chamber of Deputies for a dinner at Château de Berg. These institutional dinners take place a few times a year to give the members of the Grand Ducal Family and their country's highest politicians a chance to catch up and for an exchange of views. The members of parliament were welcomed in the Salle «Je Maintiendrai» before proceeding to the dining room for - exactly - the dinner. Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie were also in attendance for the event.

Henri and Maria Teresa Attend House of Startups Opening

Photo: © House of Startups / Cour grand-ducale

On June 1st, Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa attended the opening of the House of Startups in their new location. Developed by the Chambre de Commerce, the House of Startups will be able to welcome and support around 200 startups within the building that also houses the Luxembourg House of Financial Technology (LHoFT) and the Luxembourg City Incubator (LCI).

Information and another photo available from the Cour website.

Grand Ducal Couple at Memorial for Secretary of State

Photo: Guy Jallay / Luxemburger Wort / Wort.lu

Yesterday, Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa attended a memorial for politician and Secretary of State for Sustainable Development and Infrastructure Camille Gira. Gira died suddenly on May 16 after collapsing while delivering a speech to parliament on the new nature protection bill. He died later in hospital from heart failure. 

Pictures at Wort, Tageblatt and the cour.

Grand Ducal Couple Visits Flood Victims

Photo: Guy Jallay / Luxemburger Wort / Wort.lu

Heaven rains hit parts of the Grand Duchy during the night from Thursday to Friday causing severe flooding and mudslides in the east of the country. Particularly affected were the Müllerthal region, also known as 'Little Switzerland' for its stunning scenery and hiking trails, including the village by the same name and Greiveldingen further south. Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa visited the affected areas yesterday to get a first-hand view and offer their support. They met with flood victims, volunteer helpers, firefighters and the military all helping to clean up again.

More pictures at the cour and Wort.

Grand Duchess Receives Activist Jadranka Miličević

Photo: © Cour grand-ducale / tous droits réservés

On June 1st, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa received in audience Jadranka Miličević, a Bosnian-born activist who supports the rights of women in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Serbia. The audience occurred in connection with the 30th anniversary of the Sakharov Prize. Also as part of this anniversary, the European Parliament has assembled a photo exhibition of the work of Miličević and  other human rights activists at Abbaye de Neumünster.

Grand Duke and Hereditary Grand Duke Receive LTIO

Photo: © Cour grand-ducale / tous droits réservés

Also on the 1st, Grand Duke Henri and Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume received in audience the directors of the Luxembourg Trade & Investment Offices (LTIO). This included directors at various locations around the world, including Tel Aviv, Seoul, Tokyo, New York, and elsewhere.

Grand Duke Receives Council of Europe Ambassadors

Photo: © Cour grand-ducale / Luxpress

On the 1st, Grand Duke Henri received in audience the 47 ambassadors to the Council of Europe. The occasion was the 20th anniversary of the European Institute of Cultural Routes, which has a goal of providing public service and technical support to the Council of Europe.