User:Kaiser859

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Henri
Henri at the wedding of his son in 2012
Grand Duke of Luxembourg
Reign7 October 2000 – present
PredecessorJean
Heir apparentPrince Guillaume
Prime Ministers
See list
Regency3 March 1998 – 7 October 2000
Born (1955-04-16) 16 April 1955 (age 69)
Betzdorf Castle, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1981)​
Issue
Detail		Prince Guillaume, Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg
Prince Felix
Prince Louis
Princess Alexandra
Prince Sébastien
Names
Henri Albert Gabriel Félix Marie Guillaume
HouseNassau-Weilburg
FatherJean, Grand Duke of Luxembourg
MotherPrincess Joséphine Charlotte of Belgium
ReligionRoman Catholic

Henri (Luxembourgish: Henri Albert Gabriel Félix Marie Guillaume;[needs IPA][1] born 16 April 1955) is the current Grand Duke of Luxembourg, reigning since 7 October 2000. He is the eldest son of Grand Duke Jean and Princess Joséphine Charlotte of Belgium, and a first cousin of the current King of the Belgians, Philippe.

Childhood[edit]

Henri was born at Betzdorf Castle in eastern Luxembourg on 16 April 1955, the second child and first son of Jean, Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg, and Princess Joséphine Charlotte of Belgium, and grandchild of Grand Duchess Charlotte and Prince Felix of Bourbon-Parma. The Prince's godparents were the Prince of Liège (his maternal uncle) and Princess Marie Gabriele, Countess of Holstein-Ledreborg (his paternal aunt).

Henri has four siblings: Archduchess Marie Astrid of Austria (born 1954), Prince Jean of Luxembourg (born 1957), Princess Margaretha of Liechtenstein (born 1957) and Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg (born 1963).

On 12 November 1964, when Henri was nine, his grandmother's abdication and his father's subsequent accession as Grand Duke made him heir apparent. As the Grand Duke's eldest son, he automatically took the title of Hereditary Grand Duke.

Education[edit]

Henri was educated in Luxembourg and in France, where he obtained his baccalaureate in 1974. He then studied political science at University of Geneva and the Graduate Institute of International Studies, graduating in 1980. The Grand Duke also undertook military officer training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, England.

Marriage and family[edit]

While studying in Geneva, Henri met the former María Teresa Mestre y Batista, who was also a political science student. They married in Luxembourg on 4 February/14 February 1981 with the previous consent of the Grand Duke, dated 7 November 1980.

The couple have five children:

Constitutional position[edit]

The Grand Duke with his wife and heir apparent
The Grand Duke with his son Felix in New York during 2013 UN session

Prince Henri became heir apparent to the Luxembourg throne on the abdication of his paternal grandmother, Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg, on 12 November 1964. From 1980 to 1998, he was a member of the Council of State.

On 4 March 1998, Prince Henri was appointed as Lieutenant Representative by his father, Grand Duke Jean, meaning that he assumed most of his father's constitutional powers. On 7 October 2000, immediately following the abdication of his father, Henri acceded as Grand Duke of Luxembourg and took the constitutional oath before the Chamber of Deputies later that day.

Euthanasia and constitutional reform controversies[edit]

On 2 December 2008 it was announced that Grand Duke Henri had stated he would refuse to give his "assent" to a new law on euthanasia that had been passed earlier in the year by the Chamber of Deputies. Under the Constitution then, the Grand Duke "sanctions and promulgates the laws" meaning the need for the Grand Duke's sanction or "approval" was required in order for laws to take effect. In the absence of clarity on the long-term implications for the constitutional position of the Grand Duke posed by such a refusal, it was announced by the Prime Minister, Jean-Claude Juncker, that a constitutional amendment would be brought forward amending the constitution.

The Luxembourg royal house had tried to block a decision by parliament only once before, when Grand Duchess Marie-Adelaide refused to sign an education bill in 1912. The ultimate solution was that the Grand Duke would be declared unable to perform his duty temporarily; this was similar to the 'escape route' provided to his uncle King Baudouin of Belgium when he refused to sign an abortion law in 1991, and thus the law could take effect without the signature of the Grand Duke, but also without the need to enact far-reaching changes in the constitution.

Article 34 of the constitution was subsequently amended to remove the term "assent".[2] Leaving the relevant provision to read "The Grand Duke promulgates the laws..." As a result, his signature is still needed but is clear that his signature is automatic and that he/she has no freedom of decision. The head of state no longer has to "sanction" laws for them to take effect; he merely promulgates them.[3]

Role and interests[edit]

The Grand Duke with Vladimir Putin in May 2007

As the head of a constitutional monarchy, Grand Duke Henri's duties are primarily representative. However, he retains the constitutional power to appoint the Prime Minister and Government, to dissolve the Chamber of Deputies, to promulgate laws and to accredit ambassadors.

Grand Duke Henri is Commander-in-Chief of the Luxembourg Army, in which he holds the rank of General. He is also an Honorary Major in the British RAF Regiment.

One of the Grand Duke's main functions is to represent Luxembourg in the field of foreign affairs. In May 2001, Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa undertook their first foreign state visit to Spain, at the invitation of King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia.

Grand Duke Henri is a member of the International Olympic Committee, a member of The Mentor Foundation (established by the World Health Organisation) and a Director of the Charles Darwin Trust for the Galápagos Islands.

The Grand Duke lives with his family at Berg Castle in Luxembourg. He also has a holiday home at Cabasson, near Bormes-les-Mimosas in the south of France.

Media and publicity[edit]

The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess at the wedding of the Crown Princess of Sweden in 2010

Since the accession of Henri to the Grand Ducal Throne in 2000, the Court's approach to media and publicity has varied markedly. In 2002, Grand Duke Henri expressly identified himself with a press conference called by Grand Duchess Maria Teresa with a view to discussing with journalists the shortcomings of her personal relations with her mother-in-law, Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte.

In contrast, when the grand ducal couple's first grandchild was born in 2006, the Court Circular pointedly omitted to mention the event, probably as the father Prince Louis was not married at the time. However, the pregnancy was announced in 2005, so the country was informed that the prince and his girlfriend were going to be parents. The press also had access to the child's baptism.

The Grand Ducal Family's approach to media and publicity issues has itself given rise to media comment regarding the quality of communications advice which has been sought and followed. As well as the public airing of the difficulties between the Grand Duchess and her mother-in-law, several other events have resulted in adverse publicity, most notably: in 2004, the opening of Parliament by the Grand Duke in person, the first time in over 100 years the Monarch had done so; in 2005, the Grand Duke announced he intended to vote in favour of the European Constitution in the impending referendum, only to be reminded by senior politicians that he had no such right; the proposed sale of large tracts of the Gruenewald in the summer of 2006 shortly followed by the proposed sale (cancelled shortly afterwards) at Sotheby's of recently deceased Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte's effects.[4]

Health[edit]

On 3 February 2011, Henri was admitted to the Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg on falling ill. Shortly after, the Grand Ducal Court issued a statement saying that he was to undergo an angioplasty. The day after, the Communications Chief announced that the surgery had been a success. "The state of His Royal Highness' health is not disturbing," the statement read, before stating the Grand Duke may leave the hospital within the next few days. Although the reason has not formally been disclosed, it is reported that the Grand Duke felt ill after waking that day, and the Court Physician noticed circulation problems. It was then that he was rushed to hospital, to the cardiac unit, and was discharged the following day.

Titles, styles, honours and awards[edit]

Titles and styles[edit]

  • 16 April 1955 - 12 November 1964: His Royal Highness Prince Henri of Luxembourg, Prince of Nassau, Prince of Bourbon-Parma
  • 12 November 1964 - 28 July 1987: His Royal Highness Prince Henri, The Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg, Prince of Nassau, Prince of Bourbon-Parma
  • 28 July 1987 - 7 October 2000: His Royal Highness Prince Henri, The Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg, Prince of Nassau
  • 7 October 2000 - present: His Royal Highness The Grand Duke of Luxembourg

The Grand Duke's style and title in full: His Royal Highness Henri by the Grace of God, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, Duke of Nassau, Count Palatine of the Rhine, Count of Sayn, Königstein, Katzenelnbogen and Diez, Burgrave of Hammerstein, Lord of Mahlberg, Wiesbaden, Idstein, Merenberg, Limburg and Eppstein[citation needed]

On ascending the throne, Grand Duke Henri relinquished the styling "by the Grace of God", and in the laws, decrees, and official documents his name and title is: "Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, Duke of Nassau".[citation needed]

Honours[edit]

See also: List of honours of the Luxembourgish Grand-Ducal Family by country

National honours and awards[edit]

Foreign honours and awards[edit]

Dynastic honours[edit]

Ancestors[edit]

Patrilineal descent[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Grand Duke Henri (b. 1955)", The official portal of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
  2. ^ http://data.legilux.public.lu/eli/etat/leg/loi/2009/03/12/n1/jo
  3. ^ "Luxembourg to reduce duke's power", BBC News, 3 December 2008.
  4. ^ Revue 10 December 2008, Editions Revue S.A., Luxembourg
  5. ^ "L'actualité des royautés, "Henri et Maria Teresa en Autriche"" (in French). Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  6. ^ Photographic image. Belga Images.
  7. ^ "Royalement Blog: Visite d'Etat belge au Luxembourg". Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  8. ^ DECRETO DE 3 DE DEZEMBRO DE 2007 - website JusBrasil
  9. ^ https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--8p6AUIqeHA/VvrctrZUgxI/AAAAAAAAdEI/2pawqVPY1NMkvhS4UJ9pHK8LXPLbP7kRQ/s1600/1the%2Bgrand%2Bduke-H.R.H.%2BGrand%2BDuke%2BHenri%2Bof%2BLuxembourg%2B%2Bf.jpg
  10. ^ http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/bg/Grand+Duchess+Luxembourg+Grand+Duke+Luxembourg+ZTi4K33dkwxl.jpg
  11. ^ http://www.gettyimages.com/license/50838091
  12. ^ Estonian State decorations, 05/05/2003
  13. ^ "Noblesse et Royautés" website, article with photos of gala dinner
  14. ^ www.gouvernement.lu, State visit of President Tarja Halonen in Luxembourg in november 2008 (article in French with photos showing the decorations)
  15. ^ www.gouvernement.lu/, State visit of President Stephanopoulos in Luxembourg, July 2001
  16. ^ "Noblesse et Royautes" website, State visit of Italian President Napolitano in Luxembourg, february 2009
  17. ^ Latvian Presidency, Recipients list (.doc)
  18. ^ Agency photo taken during the state visit (French) of Malian President Amadou Toumani Touré in Luxembourg in November 2005.
  19. ^ "State Visit from Luxembourg to The Netherlands: April 24-26, 2006 - Page 3 - The Royal Forums". Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  20. ^ "Noblesse et Royautes" website, State visit of Queen Beatrix in Luxembourg, 21-23 march 2012
  21. ^ The Royal Correspondent
  22. ^ President's decision M.P. z 2014 r. poz. 728
  23. ^ Alvará n.º 23/2005. Diário da República n.º 218/2005, Série II de 2005-11-14
  24. ^ Alvará (extracto) n.º 16/2010. Diário da República n.º 219/2010, Série II de 2010-11-11. p.55733.
  25. ^ State visit in Luxembourg
  26. ^ Romanian Presidency website, Recipients of the order (Excel sheet)
  27. ^ Slovak republic website, State honours (click on "Holders of the Order of the 1st Class White Double Cross" to see the holders' table) : 1st Class received by Grand-Duke in 2002, i.e. during the state visit (French) of President Rudolf Schuster in Luxembourg (november 2002).
  28. ^ Real Decreto 474/2007. Boletín Oficial del Estado núm. 90, de 14 de abril de 2007, p. 16516
  29. ^ a b Spanish Royal Family website, State visit of Juan Carlos & Sofia in Luxembourg, April 2007, Photo of the Sovereign couples
  30. ^ Real Decreto 3198/1980. Boletín Oficial del Estado núm. 109, de 7 de mayo de 1981, p. 9813
  31. ^ Real Decreto 525/2001. Boletín Oficial del Estado núm. 114, de 12 de mayo de 2001, p. 17204
  32. ^ "Noblesse et Royautes" website, Victoria of Sweden's wedding, June 2010
  33. ^ "50Th Anniversary Of King Carl Gustav Of Sweden In Stockholm, Sweden On April 30, 1996. Pictures - Getty Images". Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  34. ^ "Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg at the Çankaya Presidential Palace". Presidency of the Republic of Turkey. 19 November 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  35. ^ "Hata Sayfası". Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  36. ^ http://www.gettyimages.com/license/113265385
  37. ^ http://www.gettyimages.com/license/57555397

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg.
Kaiser859
Born: 16 April 1955
Regnal titles
Preceded by Grand Duke of Luxembourg
Duke of Nassau
2000–present 		Incumbent
Heir apparent:
Guillaume


Category:1955 births Category:20th-century Roman Catholics Category:21st-century Roman Catholics Category:Grand Dukes of Luxembourg Category:International Olympic Committee members Category:Living people Category:Luxembourgian Roman Catholics Category:Members of the Council of State of Luxembourg Category:People from Betzdorf, Luxembourg Category:Pretenders Category:Roman Catholic monarchs Category:Graduates of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst Category:University of Geneva alumni Category:Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies alumni Category:Grand Crosses of the Order of Adolphe of Nassau Category:Grand Crosses of the Order of the Oak Crown Category:Grand Crosses of the Order of Merit of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Category:Knights of the Golden Fleece Category:Recipients of the Grand Star of the Decoration for Services to the Republic of Austria Category:Grand Collars of the Order of the Southern Cross Category:Grand Crosses of the Order of the Southern Cross Category:Recipients of the Collar of the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana Category:Recipients of the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana, 1st Class Category:Recipients of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic Category:Knights Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic Category:Knights Grand Cross of the Order of Pius IX Category:Knights of Malta Category:Grand Crosses of the National Order of Mali Category:Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion Category:Grand Collars of the Order of Saint James of the Sword Category:Grand Crosses of the Order of Saint James of the Sword Category:Grand Collars of the Order of Prince Henry Category:Grand Crosses of the Order of Prince Henry Category:Grand Crosses of the Order of the Star of Romania Category:Grand Crosses of the Order of the White Double Cross Category:Honorary Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order Category:Grand Collars of the Order of Liberty

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