Monarchy of Luxembourg facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grand Duke of Luxembourg |
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| Groussherzog vu Lëtzebuerg Grand-duc de Luxembourg |
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Arms of the Grand Duke of Luxembourg
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| Incumbent | |
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| Henri since 7 October 2000 |
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| Details | |
| Style | His Royal Highness |
| Heir apparent | Guillaume, Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg |
| First monarch | William I, King of the Netherlands, Grand Duke of Luxembourg |
| Residence | Grand Ducal Palace, Berg Castle, Colmar-Berg |
The Grand Duke of Luxembourg is the country's head of state. This means the Grand Duke is the official leader and represents Luxembourg. Luxembourg has been a grand duchy since March 15, 1815. A grand duchy is a country ruled by a Grand Duke or Grand Duchess.
For a while, Luxembourg was linked to the United Kingdom of the Netherlands. This was called a personal union, meaning they shared the same ruler. This link lasted until 1890. Today, Luxembourg is the only independent Grand Duchy in the world. Since 1815, there have been nine rulers. The current Grand Duke is Henri.
Contents
What the Grand Duke Does
The constitution of Luxembourg explains the Grand Duke's role. It says:
- The Grand Duke is the head of state. He shows the country's unity. He also makes sure the nation stays independent. He uses his power according to the country's laws.
In 2008, there was a change to the constitution. This happened after Grand Duke Henri did not agree to a new law. Now, laws do not need the Grand Duke's full approval. However, he still has the job of officially announcing laws. This makes them active.
How the Grand Duke is Paid
The Grand Duke does not get a regular salary. Instead, the royal family receives money each year. This money helps cover costs for their official duties. In 2017, about €10.1 million was set aside for the Grand Duke's household expenses.
Who Becomes the Next Grand Duke
The rules for who inherits the throne are called the line of succession. For a long time, Luxembourg followed a rule called Salic law. This law usually meant that only male family members could inherit the throne. This rule came from an old family agreement called the Nassau Family Pact.
In June 2011, this rule changed. Now, Luxembourg uses absolute primogeniture. This means that the oldest child, whether male or female, can inherit the throne. This allows any legitimate female descendants in the family to become Grand Duchess.
The person next in line to the throne is called the 'hereditary grand duke'. The current heir is Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume.
Past Grand Dukes of Luxembourg
Luxembourg has been ruled by two main families. First was the House of Orange-Nassau. Then came the House of Nassau-Weilburg.
House of Orange-Nassau
| Image | Name | Born | Died | Ruled | How they were related |
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William I | August 24, 1772 | December 12, 1843 | March 15, 1815 – October 7, 1840 |
First Grand Duke |
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William II | December 6, 1792 | March 17, 1849 | October 7, 1840 – March 17, 1849 |
Son of William I |
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William III | February 17, 1817 | November 23, 1890 | March 17, 1849 – November 23, 1890 |
Son of William II |
House of Nassau-Weilburg
When William III died, he only had a daughter, Wilhelmina. The Netherlands crown went to her. But the crown of Luxembourg had different rules. It went to a male relative from another part of the Nassau family. This was Adolphe.
In 1907, Grand Duke William IV (Adolphe's son) made a new law. This law said his oldest daughter, Marie-Adélaïde, could become Grand Duchess. This was because there were no other male heirs left in the family. She became the first female ruler of Luxembourg in 1912.
In 1919, Marie-Adélaïde stepped down. Her younger sister, Charlotte, became Grand Duchess. Charlotte married Prince Felix of Bourbon-Parma. Their children and future rulers have continued the Nassau family line.
| Name and Reign | Portrait | Born | Family and Marriages | Died | Succession |
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| Adolphe November 23, 1890 – November 17, 1905 |
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July 24, 1817 Wiesbaden (Prussia) |
(1) Grand Duchess Elizabeth (2) Grand Duchess Adelheid-Marie |
November 17, 1905 Colmar-Berg |
Cousin of William III |
| William IV November 17, 1905 – February 25, 1912 |
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April 22, 1852 Wiesbaden (Prussia) |
Grand Duchess Marie Anne | February 25, 1912 Colmar-Berg |
Son of Adolphe |
| Marie-Adélaïde February 25, 1912 – January 14, 1919 (stepped down) |
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June 14, 1894 Colmar-Berg |
Unmarried | January 24, 1924 Lenggries (Germany) |
Daughter of William IV |
| Charlotte January 14, 1919 – November 12, 1964 (stepped down) |
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January 23, 1896 Colmar-Berg |
Prince Felix | July 9, 1985 Fischbach |
Daughter of William IV / Sister of Marie-Adélaïde |
| Jean November 12, 1964 – October 7, 2000 (stepped down) |
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January 5, 1921 Colmar-Berg |
Grand Duchess Joséphine Charlotte | April 23, 2019 Luxembourg City |
Son of Charlotte |
| Henri October 7, 2000 – present |
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April 16, 1955 Betzdorf |
Grand Duchess Maria Teresa | Living | Son of Jean |
Grand Ducal Spouses
These are the spouses of the Grand Dukes and Grand Duchesses of Luxembourg:
- Princess Wilhelmine of Prussia (wife of Grand Duke William I)
- Grand Duchess Anna Pavlovna of Russia (wife of Grand Duke William II)
- Princess Sophie of Württemberg (first wife of Grand Duke William III)
- Princess Emma of Waldeck and Pyrmont (second wife of Grand Duke William III)
- Princess Adelheid-Marie of Anhalt-Dessau (wife of Grand Duke Adolphe)
- Infanta Marie Anne of Portugal (wife of Grand Duke William IV)
- Prince Felix of Bourbon-Parma (husband of Grand Duchess Charlotte)
- Princess Joséphine Charlotte of Belgium (wife of Grand Duke Jean)
- María Teresa Mestre y Batista (wife of Grand Duke Henri)
See also
In Spanish: Anexo:Soberanos de Luxemburgo para niños
- Grand Ducal Family of Luxembourg
