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Grand Duke of Luxembourg
Groussherzog vu Lëtzebuerg
Grand-duc de Luxembourg
Greater coat of arms of the Grand Duke of Luxembourg (2000).svg
Arms of the Grand Duke of Luxembourg
Incumbent
Saeimas priekšsēdētājs Edvards Smiltēns tiekas ar Luksemburgas lielhercogu - 52744479271 (cropped).jpg
Henri
since 7 October 2000
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.

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
William I of the Netherlands.jpg
William I August 24, 1772 December 12, 1843 March 15, 1815

October 7, 1840
First Grand Duke
WillemIINL3.jpg
William II December 6, 1792 March 17, 1849 October 7, 1840

March 17, 1849
Son of William I
Willem III (1817-90), koning der Nederlanden, Nicolaas Pieneman, 1856 - Rijksmuseum.jpg
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
Adolphe
November 23, 1890 –
November 17, 1905
Adolfluxembourg1817-6.jpg
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
Guillaume IV of Luxembourg.png
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)
Marie-Adélaïde, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg 2.jpg
June 14, 1894
Colmar-Berg
Unmarried January 24, 1924
Lenggries (Germany)
Daughter of William IV
Charlotte
January 14, 1919 –
November 12, 1964
(stepped down)
Charlotte, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg.jpg
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)
GD Jean 1994 (cropped).jpg
January 5, 1921
Colmar-Berg
Grand Duchess Joséphine Charlotte April 23, 2019
Luxembourg City
Son of Charlotte
Henri
October 7, 2000 –
present
Saeimas priekšsēdētājs Edvards Smiltēns tiekas ar Luksemburgas lielhercogu - 52744479271 (cropped).jpg
April 16, 1955
Betzdorf
Grand Duchess Maria Teresa Living Son of Jean
Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg Jean, Grand Duke of Luxembourg Charlotte, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg Marie-Adélaïde, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg William IV, Grand Duke of Luxembourg Adolphe, Grand Duke of Luxembourg William III of the Netherlands William II of the Netherlands William I of the Netherlands

Grand Ducal Spouses

These are the spouses of the Grand Dukes and Grand Duchesses of Luxembourg:

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Anexo:Soberanos de Luxemburgo para niños

  • Grand Ducal Family of Luxembourg
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