Grand Duke Henri Receives Architects and Engineers

Photo: © Cour grand-ducale / Cédric Allié

On December 5th, Grand Duke Henri received in audience new members of the Ordre des Architectes et des Ingénieurs-Conseils (Order of Architects and Consulting Engineers or OAI). These new members, both mandatory and optional, are participating in the 2015-2017 OAI exercises. Photographed with the Grand Duke and new members are Jos Dell, the President of OAI; Marc Feider, the Vice President of OAI; and Pierre Hurt, the Director of OAI.

Alois Receives Outgoing ESA President

Photo: Brigitt Risch / Vaterland / vaterland.li

On November 30th, Hereditary Prince Alois received the outgoing ESA (EFTA Surveillance Authority) President Sven Erik Svedman when he paid a courtesy visit to Schloss Vaduz. The ESA monitors and governs the compliance of EFTA members (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland) to ensure there is no infringement on European Economic Area (EEA) laws. Svedman also met with Foreign Minister Aurelia Frick and Landtag President Albert Frick.

A little more from Vaterland.

An Editor's Note Regarding Princess Tessy

In the past few months, we have hardly reported on the whereabouts of Princess Tessy. At the time she filed for divorce, we at Team Luxarazzi had a long talk about how we would handle her appearances in the future. We spoke about how we are covering other divorcees in the family and how we would handle other separations if they were to happen. After weighing different options, we decided that we would handle Princess Tessy's public endeavours in much the same way we do it with Hélène Vestur, former wife of Prince Jean: Whenever she appears at a family gathering, we will make sure to make note of it. Solo appearances, however worthy the cause, we may mention on Twitter or Facebook but we won't write about it on Luxarazzi. 

I understand that some of you may say that Princess Tessy has always held a higher profile than the former Countess Hélène de Nassau but we only find it fair to treat them equally.

Princess Tessy has been trying to position herself well in the media about the past few weeks giving TV interviews and more. For what it is worth: We at Luxarazzi believe that she is fighting for what is fair and the she should be treated with the dignity befitting of the Grand Ducal Family. This respect should go both ways. By publishing all the latest news and events by Princess Tessy, we feel like it would border on taking a side in the divorce as Prince Louis isn't able to equally tell his side of the story. Taking sides and playing PR games during what must be a difficult time for everyone involved is something we will do our best to avoid.

Thank you for your understanding.

Fashion Friday: State Visit Edition

We're back for a special edition covering the State Visit of the Grand Duke Henri and Princess Alexandra to Japan. I've tried to identify the brands of Princess Alexandra's clothes but it proved to be really difficult as we don't see her enough to know about her favorite brands and this was a short notice trip for her so a lot of her clothes are probably old. I will try to find her clothes, and if I do I'll update the post but it will take me time if the clothes are old.

On the first day of the state visit, Grand Duke Henri and Princess Alexandra were officially welcomed by the Emperor and Empress of Japan. I have no official confirmation of the brand of Princess Alexandra's skirt suit but I believe it is most likely from Dior. She also wore a Dior clutch and nude pumps. Her headpiece was previously worn by Princess Tessy.

Photo: SIP/ Charles Caratini

Photo : Dior

For the gala dinner, Princess Alexandra wore a beautiful pink strapless gown with a bolero previously worn by her mother.

Photo: SIP/ Charles Caratini

For the second day, Princess Alexandra wore a burgundy Elie Saab skirt suit previously worn by the Grand Duchess Maria Teresa. I really wanted to see this skirt suit worn again so I'm pleased that it finally happened!

©SIP/ Jean-Christophe Verhaegen

Photo: VogueRunway

For an event in the afternoon, she wore a Chanel bag.

©SIP / Charles Caratini

Photo: Chanel

For a meeting with the Prime Minister and his wife, Princess Alexandra wore a navy dress with a light blue dress (I think it might me Armani but again, no confirmation). I also believe she wore a clutch owned by Hereditary Grand Duchess Stephanie, the one she wore for National Day earlier this year. At the time, I supposed the clutch was a Judith Leiber clutch, still got no confirmation. ( Alexandra may have also carried that clutch to the gala dinner but I'm not sure)

©SIP/ Charles Caratini

Photo : Judith Leiber

For a reception with the Emperor and the Empress on the last day of the visit, Princess Alexandra wore an Elie Saab top and jacket previously worn by her mother too.

Photo: SIP / Jean-Christophe Verhaegen

Photo: VogueRunway

Even if Grand Duchess Maria Teresa pulled out of the state visit because of her fear of flying, she did send a video message for one of the event. She wore her red Armani jacket.

©SIP / Charles Caratin

Photo: Armani

I thought I would also include Grand Duchess Maria Teresa and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie's visit to the International Bazar in this post. Grand Duchess Maria Teresa wore her Weill coat and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stephanie wore her Natan coat and a new Armani bag.

©Cour grand-ducale / Claude Piscitelli

Photo: Weill

Photo: Natan

I hope I'll be able to find more of Princess Alexandra but I will say that I was very impressed by Princess Alexandra during this visit, and not only by her choices of outfits but she also looked very at ease and Grand Duke Henri looked very proud of her! I hope this means we will see her more and I will be really pleased to cover her.

Maria Teresa and Guillaume Attend European Microfinance Event

Photo: © European Microfinance Award / Marie De Decker / Cour grand-ducale

On the 29th, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa and Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume attended the presentation of the European Microfinance Award, which is jointly organized by the European Microfinance Platform and the Luxembourg Inclusive Finance Network. This year's event highlights "Microfinance for Housing," and Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume was chair of the selection jury. Romain Schneider, Minister of Cooperation and Humanitarian Action, was also present for the event.

The three finalists were: Cooperativa de Ahorro y Préstamo Tosepantomin - Mexico, Mibanco from Peru, and The First MicroFinance Bank-Afghanistan. The winner, Alvaro Aguilar Ayon from Cooperativa of Ahorro y Prestamo Tosepantomin - Mexico, received a prize of €100,000.

More photos at the Cour website.

Jean, Guillaume, and Stéphanie Attend Concert

Photo: © Cour grand-ducale / Claude Piscitelli

On the evening of the 29th, Grand Duke Jean, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume, and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie attended the 12th tribute concert to honor Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte. The event, held at Philharmonie Luxembourg (with the Etablissement public Salle de Concerts Grande-Duchesse Joséphine-Charlotte), featured the Orchester des Champs Elysées under the direction of Philippe Herreweghe. Pianist Kristian Bezuidenhout also played in the performances that highlighted music by Beethoven.

Information from the Cour website.

Maria Teresa Attends Academic Session About Alzheimer's

Photo: © Association Luxembourg Alzheimer / Cour grand-ducale

On the 29th, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa attended an academic session to honor the 30th anniversary of the Association Luxembourg Alzheimer (ALA). She has been a patron of the organization since 1991.

A little more information from the Cour website.

Final Day in Japan for the Grand Duke and Princess Alexandra

Photo: SIP / Jean-Christophe Verhaegen

Today was already the last day of the Grand Duke and Princess Alexandra's state visit to Japan. The third and final day centered around two conferences attended seperately by the Luxembourgish duo - and one of the even included a glimpse of the Grand Duchess.

Photo: SIP / Jean-Christophe Verhaegen

But first the Grand Duke: Luxembourg's head of state attended the Luxembourg-Japanese Space Conference entitled "New Opportunities and Challenges in Space". The event took place at the Konica Minolta Planetarium Tenku and the Grand Duke gave the opening remarks. Luxembourg is the first country in Europe to have a law on the exploration and use of space resources. The Grand Duchy is therefore seeking partner countries to discuss a legal framework at the international level. Agreements having already been concluded with Portugal and the United Arab Emirates, Japan is the third country with which such a cooperation agreement has been signed. At the end of the Space Conference Grand Duke Henri paid a visit to the Skytree Tower, the second largest building in the world.

Photo: SIP / Charles Caratini

Meanwhile Princess Alexandra attended the a financial conference entitled "Making Sustainable Finance: Global Perspectives on Green and Responsible Finance". The opening remarks were given by Grand Duchess Maria Teresa via video. The conference, which brought together representatives of the Japanese and Luxembourgish financial sectors, discussed the latest developments in sustainable finance, exchanging best practices and discussing the different challenges and opportunities for green finance in Asia and in Europe.

Photo: SIP / Jean-Christophe Verhaegen

Grand Duke Henri and his daughter then attended a reception hosted by the Luxembourgish embassy in their honour. The words of welcome by the Ambassador of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in Tokyo, Béatrice Kirsch, were followed by the speeches of Ministers Étienne Schneider and Pierre Gramegna as well as a toast by the Honorary Consul of Luxembourg in Tokyo, Hajime Sawabe.

Photo: SIP / Charles Caratini

The state visit ended at the stunning Akasaka Palace in Tokyo with a concert hosted by the Grand Duke in honour of the Emperor and Empress of Japan, also attended by Princess Alexandra, Etienne Schneider and Pierre Gramegna as well as several members of the Japanese imperial family. Following the interpretation of the national anthems, the guests had the opportunity to attend recitals by violinists Philippe Koch and Laurence Koch and pianist Eliane Reyes. 

Photo: SIP / Jean-Christophe Verhaegen

After the concert it was time for Grand Duke Henri and Princess Alexandra to bid farewell to their Japanese hosts and head back to the Grand Duchy. Our state visit coverage also ends here. Make sure to have a look at the cour and the government as well as Wort for more pictures.

Hereditary Prince Gives Interview to Swiss TV

Photo: TV Südostschweiz

Hereditary Prince Alois has given an interview to Swiss TV about all kinds of things relating to the Liechtenstein and its western neighbour, Switzerland, including the relations between the two nations, Liechtenstein's surprisingly diverse economy and the Princely Family's and the Principality's history. The full interview in German can be seen here.

Luxarazzi 101: Royal Recycling and Clothes Sharing Vol. 11

So turns out Princess Alexandra on a state visit is pretty much a royal recycling fest - and that brings us to our 11th edition of Royal Recycling and Clothes Sharing courtesy of this week's trip to Japan. Mind you, Princess Alexandra is an old pro when it comes to rummaging through her relatives' wardrobes so it doesn't come as the biggest of surprises that we saw a few repeats. And yes, I like to imagine it something along these lines.

First day, first appearance, first hat previously worn by another family member - check. From the get-go Princess Alexandra showed her commitment to the Grand Ducal Family's love of sharing the love by sporting a white feathered headpiece previously worn by Princess Tessy for National Day 2013. 

Princess Alexandra's third outfit of the first day brought us another clothes sharing moment when she brought out a bolero style jacket previously worn by the Grand Duchess on a number of occasions including the 60th birthday party of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden in 2006. Got to admit though that I much prefer the jacket with a black dress. Somehow it ended up looking like an afterthought to Princess Alexandra's stunning red gown.

This one though... Va-va-woom, girl is rocking this Elie Saab number previously worn by Grand Duchess Maria Teresa for the state visit by then Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands to Luxembourg in 2012. Frankly, I much prefer Alexandra's styling and hope that this goodie will stay in her wardrobe for a long time to come! Fun fact: It is actually one of the outfits our very own fashion expert Heaven wished to see again in our Royal Recycling and Clothes Sharing Wish List - dreams do come true after all.

Stay tuned with possibly more clothes sharing love to come tomorrow, which is sadly already the last day of the Luxembourgish state visit to Japan! In the meantime, also check out our previous editions of Royal Recycling and Clothes Sharing.