Grand Duke Attends Concert

Photo: Wdj 2015 / Cour grand-ducale

Grand Duke Henri was in Echternach this evening to attend the concert entitled Nassauische Hofmusik (Nassau court music) by the Kantorei Weilburg and Capella Weilburgensis. The concert took place as part of the Festival International d'Echternach, which the Grand Duke is the patron of, to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the rule of the Nassau-Weilburg dynasty in Luxembourg as well as the 200th anniversary of the Congress of Vienna. You might recall that Weilburg is the home of the branch of the House of Nassau that the Grand Duke, who is also the Duke of Nassau, is the head of.

A few more photos at the Cour website.

The Luxarazzi Tiara Race (22): Grand Duchess Adélaïde Tiara vs. Aquamarine Bandeau Tiara

Tiara time! Last time we asked you for your favourite in an all-diamond race; today, the colour of the stone is at least the same - sapphire blue vs. aquamarine blue. But first, let's check out how our last match ended. Battling it out were the Diamond Vine Leaves Tiara and the Congo Diamond Necklace Tiara. While (almost) an equal amount of grand ducal brides chose either of them as a wedding tiara, your choice was much clearer: The Diamond Vines Leaves Tiara got 79.86 percent of your votes and thus advances to the next round.

While team sapphire is represented by the Grand Duchess Adélaïde Tiara today, team aquamarine has sent the Aquamarine Bandeau Tiara as its representative. Which time are you on?

Voting closes on Wednesday night.

Henri and Maria Teresa Receive the EU Foreign Ministers

Photo: Luc Deflorenne / Cour grand-ducale

On Friday evening, Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa received in audience the Foreign Ministers of the European Union.

The Foreign Ministers were attending an informal meeting in Grand Duchy in recognition of Luxembourg's current role holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

No photos, but a video is available from the EU site. Fast forward to around 4:08 to see Henri and Maria Teresa arrive for photos.

(Photo now added, and clearly of the pose from the video.)

The Luxarazzi Tiara Race (21): Vine Leaves Tiara vs. Congo Diamond Tiara

Summer break might be over - at least judging by all the news we had during the last two days - but our summer series isn't yet! It's Wednesday night and as such time for tiara match number 21. But you know what's up first, a look back: Having to make the call between Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte's Emerald Peacock Tiara and Princess Joan's Diamond Tiara, the majority of you went for the latter. And you know what? I think it might be becoming something of a dark horse of this competition. What do you think? Leave us a comment below!

And of course the main event of the post is coming right your way: Match number 21 between the Diamond Vine Leaves Tiara and the Congo Diamond Necklace Tiara. Both of them traditional wedding tiaras of the Grand Ducal Family simply follow the links before for more information. Did they help you to make up your mind? If they did, let us know...

Voting closes on Saturday night.

Grand Duke Meets EU Defense Ministers

Photo: Charles Caratini / SIP

Grand Duke Henri received in audience today the Ministers of Defense of the European Union or at least many of them, as I notice at least one missing. The ministers attended an informal meeting in Luxembourg today on the occasion of the country's EU presidency.

Grand Duke Henri Meets with NATO Secretary General

Photo: Jean-Christophe Verhaegen / Cour grand-ducale

Today, Grand Duke Henri received in audience NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who is in Luxembourg on a brief visit. The Secretary General also participated in a joint press conference with Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, during which the former expressed gratitude for the country's participation in supporting NATO military activities and particularly for the commitment to military technology.

During the visit. Secretary General Stoltenberg will also meet with Deputy Prime Minister Etienne Schneider, Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean Asselborn, Minister of Justice Félix Braz, and other parliamentary members.

A little more about Secretary General Stoltenberg's visit here. Still waiting on a photo from the audience with Grand Duke Henri. It will be added if it's made available.

Grand Duke Henri Visits the Exhibition "Wëlcom dôheem"

Photo: Gouvernement.lu

Today, Grand Duke Henri visited an exhibition with Minister of Culture Maggy Nagel. The exhibition, entitled "Wëlcom dôheem", was held at the Grand Ducal Palace and focused on what occurred during the time that Grand Duchess Charlotte left Luxembourg due to the Nazi occupation. Among the exhibits are recordings of the speeches that Grand Duchess Charlotte delivered over the BBC from her location in London.

A little more about the exhibition here. There's also a photo at the link, but it's being troublesome. Fingers crossed it can be added later.

EDIT: Spoke too soon. Photo now added.

Royal Gathering in Liechtenstein Coming Up

Each year, the heads of state of the German-speaking countries gather for an informal meeting. While the heads of state of Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein - those countries where German is the primary language of the majority of the population - have had these kinds of gatherings since 2004 (each year in a different country), last year was the first time that the heads of state of Luxembourg and Belgium - countries that either have a minority of people who speak German as a first language (Belgium) or where German is one of the countries three official languages (Luxembourg) - were also invited. 

This year is no different and so Hereditary Prince Alois will welcome the heads of state of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg (Grand Duke Henri) and Belgium (King Philippe) on September 17 in Vaduz. This means we will likely also see Hereditary Princess Sophie, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa and Queen Mathilde.

At Home With the Princely Family

The Princely Family has been featured quite a bit on Austrian TV as of late. In addition, to the interview with Princess Marie, there was another broadcast again by ORF to feature both Prince Hans-Adam and Hereditary Prince Alois. It inludes parts of a documentary of Liechtenstein including footage from the wedding of the hereditary princely couple as well as an interview with the Hereditary Prince. For example, Hereditary Prince Alois tells, "Of course it is difficult when you are the acting head of state to find enough time for your children. But at the same time I'm quite lucky that I work in the same place as I live so I always tried to make room inbetween to spend some time with my children." The full broadcast is available here.

Princess Nora Signs a Special Olympics Agreement

On Monday, Princess Nora was in Vaduz to sign a performance agreement between the government of Liechtenstein and the Special Olympics Liechtenstein Foundation. Marlies Amann-Marxer, the Minister of Infrastructure, Environment and Sport, signed on behalf of the government. The Special Olympics Liechtenstein Foundation was originally established in 2009 to promote disabled athletes from Liechtenstein at sporting events, both national and international.

Among its purposes, the newly signed agreement regulates the cooperative relationship between the government and the Foundation. This proved to be necessary, because recent changes in Liechtenstein law transferred disability insurance benefits to the national sports funding budget.

No photos at present, but little more information about the performance agreement here.