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House of Nassau-Weilburg

The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is a constitutional monarchy acting as a parliamentary democracy. The head of state is a hereditary Grand Duke from the Nassau-Weilburg dynasty. The sovereign power belongs to the Luxembourg people, as represented through the elected members of Parliament (Chamber of Deputies) and as guaranteed by the Constitution. The Grand Duke exercises only the sovereign powers conferred to him by the Constitution and the laws.

However, the Grand Duke’s actions still respect the maxim according to which “the sovereign rules but does not govern” [ expressed somewhat differently in the UK as "reigns but does not rule"]. Thus, he mainly figures as the symbol for the unity and independence of the nation. As his reign generally spans the office of a few Prime Ministers, he is also considered to be a symbol of stability.

The reign of a Grand Duke usually spans many legislative periods, in which the composition of the governments change. As such, he accumulates a wealth of experience through his international contacts, which benefit the Luxembourg foreign policy. Indeed, the Grand Duke and Hereditary Grand Duke are regular participants on economic missions abroad, during which existing business relations are deepened and new contacts created.

The grand ducal family also plays a major role in the representation of the country and the nation, at home and abroad. Other than state visits, where the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess play a major role, the family has a broad philanthropic agenda. Members of the family have the patronage over many non-profit organisations from animal rights to socially engaged organisations. Furthermore, the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess stand at the head of their own foundation, the Fondation grand-ducale, which finances and supports projects relating to social and disabilities issues, as well as to development cooperation.

Even though the origins of Luxembourg date back to the 10th century, the reigning grand ducal house only came into power in Luxembourg in 1890. Between 1815 and 1890, the kings of the Netherlands had been reigning over the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in personal union, and while Luxembourg had been formally independent, it had been treated as a Dutch province. In 1890 William III, King of the Netherlands, died without a male heir, and while this was not a problem for the Dutch Crown, the 1783 family pact of the House of Nassau had laid down that the crown of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg had to pass to a male descendant. Thus, while Wilhelmina of the Orange-Nassau branch succeeded to her father’s throne in the Netherlands, the crown of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg passed to Adolf of Nassau of the Nassau-Weilburg branch.

In 1905, Grand Duke William IV ascended to the throne upon the death of his father. Having had 6 daughters, he foresaw that succession might be problematic upon his death. Thus a law was passed that allowed female descendants to succeed to the throne.

When William IV died in 1912, his eldest daughter Marie-Adelaïde was enthroned. Contrary to her father, she took an open interest in political and social affairs and intervened in political matters. Although she always remained within the confines of the Constitution, her actions attracted much resentment from the opposition at the time. Between 1914 and 1918, Luxembourg was occupied by German forces. The Grand Duchess renounced any opposition to the German war machine in order to protect the interests of the Luxembourg people, which brought her many criticisms. In 1919, after revolutionary unrest, she abdicated in favor of her younger sister Charlotte.

Grand Duchess Charlotte reigned from 1919 until 1964. In opposition to her sister, she publicly declared that she wanted to remain above politics. The existence of the monarchy was confirmed in a referendum in 1919, in which 77.8% of the population voted their support of the dynasty. Her finest hour came in the years between 1940 and 1944. At the outbreak of the Second World War Luxembourg was occupied, and the grand ducal family fled to Portugal, the United States and finally Great Britain, together with the government. From London, regular broadcasts to the Luxembourgish people were made over the BBC, in which Grand Duchess Charlotte encouraged the Resistance against the occupation. These broadcasts, which were followed by many in Luxembourg despite the danger of severe repression, became a symbol of the resistance to German occupation.

In 1964 she abdicated in favor of her eldest Son, Grand Duke Jean. Following the line of his mother he remained above politics, choosing not to intervene in the daily government of the country. Among others, he is an honorary Colonel of the Regiment of the Irish Guards, having served in that unit during the Second World War. During his reign, Luxembourg underwent significant social and economic changes, changing from an industrial and agricultural country into a country with a large services sector.

The present sovereign, Grand Duke Henri, succeeded his father, Grand Duke Jean, on October 7, 2000. Grand Duke Jean announced his decision to abdicate in December 1999, after a 35-year reign. Far from being considered an outdated institution, the Luxembourg monarchy is a central element to the nation and the state. For many who get to know Luxembourg for the first time, the monarchy is first and foremost the head of state and his family. For Luxembourgers however, the royal family is more than that. It is a symbol of stability, a single figure at the head of state, above the daily political business. It is a symbol for the unity of the country and its independence, a role that has grown with the two occupations in the 20th century. For foreign investors, it is an identifiable and competent partner, with which long-lasting relationships can be made. It is also a symbol for the political stability, which many investors find appealing. Since a change in the Family Pact in 2011, the title is passed on to the eldest child of the grand ducal couple, regardless of gender.