Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg reveals his shocking plan to abdicate – details

After 24 years on the throne, Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg has expressed his desire to step down from office.

In a shocking move, the monarch revealed that his eldest son, Prince William, would assume his place on the throne.

“I would like to inform you that I have decided to appoint Prince William as lieutenant representative in October,” declared Henri, 69, addressing his “abdication” during a speech given on Sunday for the national holiday.

“It is with all my love and trust that I wish him good luck,” he added.

Royal fans expressed their confusion over the decision on X, formerly Twitter, asking if the announcement was an abdication. “Is this an abdication or a preliminary step?” » asked a royal fan.

For the moment, Grand Duke Henri will retain his official title, because it is not yet an abdication. He will be represented by his son the hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume.

It is not yet clear why the monarch chose to pass on his rule to his eldest son, other than the royal expressing interest in retirement.

Signs that Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg was considering retirement

Grand Duke Henri is the eldest son of the five children of Grand Duke Jean and Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte. Upon the death of his father in 1999, Henri became head of state of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg on October 7, 2000.

He shares five children with his wife Maria Teresa Mestre, the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg.

This is not the first time the Grand Duke has suggested he will step down from his royal duties at some point. In April this year, Henri admitted that he “intends to retire at some point” in an interview with French newspaper La Libre.

Explaining his plans so far, the royal commented: “All of this is planned in family consultation. I find that it is very important to give young people perspective.”

The Grand Duke continued: “There are plans, it will happen.”

A year of royal abdications

It’s been an eventful year for the world’s monarchs. Not only did King Charles’ cancer diagnosis raise questions about a possible abdication, but Queen Margrethe announced her abdication on New Year’s Eve 2023 following health problems and an “extensive” back operation.

In a statement revealing the news, the former Danish monarch said: “I have decided that now is the right time. On January 14, 2024 – 52 years after following my beloved father – I will step down as Queen of Denmark I leave the throne to my son Crown Prince Frederik.

King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark announced their reign at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen earlier this year.