Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg Facts for Kids

Henri (born 16 April 1955) is the Grand Duke of Luxembourg. He has been the ruler of Luxembourg since 2000. He is the oldest son of Grand Duke Jean and Princess Joséphine-Charlotte of Belgium. He is also a first cousin to King Philippe of Belgium.

In 2024, Grand Duke Henri gave some of his powers to his oldest son, Guillaume. Grand Duke Henri plans to step down from his role on 3 October 2025.

Early Life and Education
Becoming Grand Duke
Role and Responsibilities
- Family Life
Titles and Honours
- Titles and Styles
- Honours

Early Life and Education

Prince Henri was born on 16 April 1955. His birthplace was Betzdorf Castle in Luxembourg. He was the second child and first son of Jean, who was then the Hereditary Grand Duke, and his wife, Princess Joséphine-Charlotte of Belgium.

His father was the oldest son of Charlotte, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg. His mother was the only daughter of King Leopold III of Belgium. Henri has four siblings: Marie Astrid, Jean, Margaretha, and Guillaume.

When Henri was nine, his grandmother stepped down from her role. His father then became the Grand Duke on 12 November 1964. On Henri's 18th birthday, 16 April 1973, he officially became an adult. He was given the title of Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg. This meant he was next in line to the throne.

Henri went to school in Luxembourg and France. He finished high school in 1974. After that, he trained to be a military officer in England. He studied at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He then studied political science at the University of Geneva. He graduated in 1980.

From 1980 to 1998, he was a member of the Council of State of Luxembourg. This is a group that advises the government.

Becoming Grand Duke

The Grand Duke with his son Félix in New York City during the 2013 United Nations session

On 4 March 1998, Prince Henri became a lieutenant representative. This meant he took on most of his father's powers. On 7 October 2000, his father, Grand Duke Jean, stepped down. Henri then became the Grand Duke of Luxembourg. He took an oath in front of the Chamber of Deputies that same day.

Role and Responsibilities

Grand Duke Henri's royal monogram

As the head of a constitutional monarchy, Grand Duke Henri's main job is to represent Luxembourg. He has the power to choose the prime minister and the government. He can also close the Chamber of Deputies and approve laws. He also welcomes ambassadors from other countries. However, he usually follows the advice of the government.

Grand Duke Henri is the commander-in-chief of the Luxembourg Army. He holds the rank of general. He is also an honorary major in the British Army's Parachute Regiment.

One of his most important duties is to represent Luxembourg in other countries. In May 2001, he and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa visited Spain. They were invited by King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía of Spain.

Grand Duke Henri is also a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). He is also involved with The Mentor Foundation and the Charles Darwin Trust for the Galápagos Islands.

The Grand Duke and his family live at Berg Castle in Luxembourg. They also have a holiday home in France.

Family Life

The Grand Duke with his wife and heir apparent

While studying in Geneva, Henri met María Teresa Mestre y Batista. She was also a student of political science. They got married in Luxembourg on 14 February 1981.

The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess have five children and eight grandchildren:

Guillaume (born 1981). He is the Hereditary Grand Duke. He married Stéphanie de Lannoy in 2012. They have two sons:
- Prince Charles (born 2020).
- Prince François (born 2023).
Félix (born 1984). He married Claire Lademacher in 2013. They have two sons and one daughter:
- Princess Amalia (born 2014).
- Prince Liam (born 2016).
- Prince Balthazar (born 2024).
Louis (born 1986). He married Tessy Antony in 2006 and they divorced in 2019. They have two sons:
- Prince Gabriel (born 2006).
- Prince Noah (born 2007).
Alexandra (born 1991). She married Nicolas Bagory in 2023. They have one daughter:
- Victoire (born 2024).
Sébastien (born 1992).

Titles and Honours

Titles and Styles

16 April 1955 – 12 November 1964: His Royal Highness Prince Henri of Luxembourg
12 November 1964 – 7 October 2000: His Royal Highness The Hereditary Grand Duke
7 October 2000 – present: His Royal Highness The Grand Duke

Honours

Country	Date	Appointment	Other
Luxembourg		Co-Grand Master and Knight of the Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau
		Grand Master and Grand Cross of the Order of Civil and Military Merit of Adolph of Nassau
		Grand Master and Grand Cross of the Order of the Oak Crown
		Grand Master of the Order of Merit of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
		Grand Collar of the European Foundation of Merit
Spain	8 July 1980	Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Charles III	Promoted to Knight of the Collar in 2001
Sweden	12 September 1983	Knight with Collar of the Order of the Seraphim
Belgium	1994	Grand Cordon of the Order of Leopold
Norway	18 April 1996	Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of St. Olav
Spain	2001	Knight of the Collar of the Order of Charles III
Greece	2001	Grand Cross of the Order of the Redeemer
Slovakia	2002	Grand Cross of the Order of the White Double Cross
Estonia	2003	Collar of the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana
Italy	2003	Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
Romania	2004	Collar of the Order of the Star of Romania
Portugal	2005	Grand Collar of the Order of Prince Henry
Mali	2005	Grand Cross of the National Order of Mali
Netherlands	2006	Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion
Latvia	2006	Commander Grand Cross with Chain of the Order of the Three Stars
Spain	2007	Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece
Brazil	2007	Grand Collar of the Order of the Southern Cross
Finland	November 2008	Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the White Rose of Finland
Portugal	7 September 2010	Grand Collar of the Military Order of Saint James of the Sword
Austria	2013	Grand Star of the Order of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria
Turkey	19 November 2013	Member of the Order of the State of Republic of Turkey
Poland	2014	Knight of the Order of the White Eagle
Denmark	12 March 2015	Knight of the Order of the Elephant
Portugal	2017	Grand Collar of the Order of Liberty
Japan	2017	Collar of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum
Senegal	2018	Grand Cross of the National Order of the Lion
United Kingdom	22 September 2020	Recipient of the Sandhurst Medal
Portugal	11 May 2022	Grand Collar of the Military Order of Christ
Latvia	13 March 2023	Member 1st class of the Cross of Recognition
Brazil		Grand Cross of the Order of the Southern Cross
Cape Verde		Grand Cross of the Order of Amílcar Cabral [fr]
France		Grand Cross of the Order of the Legion of Honour
Germany		Grand Cross special class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of German
Holy See		Knight with the Collar of the Order of Pope Pius IX
Netherlands		Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown
Sovereign Military Order of Malta		Bailiff Grand Cross of Honour and Devotion of the Order of Saint John
United Kingdom		Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
Sweden		Recipient of the Golden Jubilee Badge Medal of King Carl XVI Gustaf

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Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg facts for kids

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