Grand Duke Jean Passes Away Aged 98

His Royal Highness Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg has passed away aged 98 following a pulmonary infection.

Grand Duke Jean was hospitalised on Sunday 14 April as a result of a lung infection. Last Tuesday, it was reported that His Royal Highness' health had improved, although he remained under observation in hospital.

This morning, Tuesday 23 April 2019, His Royal Highness Grand Duke Henri announced the passing of his father following yesterday's news that the latter's health was deteriorating. Grand Duke Jean passed away peacefully and surrounded by his family.

Grand Duke Jean was born at the Château de Berg in Colmar on 5 January 1921. In October 1942, he joined the Irish Guards and completed his training at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and later served as a guard at Buckingham Palace. He then received training for the Normandy landings on D-Day and landed in Normandy on 11 June 1944.

On 10 September 1944, he returned to Luxembourg, crossing the border at Rodange, at the same place where the Grand Duchess had had to leave the country on 10 May 1940. Then, during the Battle of the Bulge, he was stationed between Tienen and Namur. At the beginning of April 1945, Prince Jean received the order to return to Luxembourg, where the arrival of Grand Duchess Charlotte was expected.

On 9 April 1953, His Royal Highness Prince Jean married Her Royal Highness Princess Joséphine-Charlotte of Belgium at Luxembourg Cathedral. The Hereditary Grand Duke and Hereditary Grand Duchess started a family at the Château de Betzdorf and it was here that Princess Marie-Astrid, Prince Henri, Prince Jean, Princess Margaretha and Prince Guillaume were born.

On 12 November 1964, Grand Duchess Charlotte signed her act of abdication and Jean, the Hereditary Grand Duke, became the eighth Luxembourg sovereign since the founding of the Grand Duchy in 1815. On 7 October 2000, Grand Duke Jean ended his reign, stepping down in favour of his son, Grand Duke Henri.

Following the official news of his death, on 23 April 2019, various politicians and embassies have paid their respects. In an address to the nation, Prime Minister Xavier Bettel expressed his sorrow, stating that the late Grand Duke Jean "was, is and will be a symbol of our country". Similarly, Mayor of Luxembourg City Lydie Polfer described him as "not only a Sovereign, but a Symbol of the Unity of our Country".

For his part, European Commission President and former Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker stated: "Like all the people of Luxembourg, I had a great esteem for this man of commitment, kindness and courage who, throughout his reign, and in all circumstances, gave the best of himself to his country, which must so much. His disappearance is a great loss for the Grand Duchy and for Europe."

For its part, the White House released a statement describing Grand Duke Jean as "a great friend of the United States". They emphasised that: "His contributions to peace, security, and prosperity during and after World War II will forever serve as an honorable legacy." The US Embassy in Luxembourg also released a statement expressing its condolences. US Ambassador Randy Evans described Grand Duke Jean's role "as indispensable in transitioning a people from the throes of identity annihilation", adding that: "Without him, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg would not exist as it does today - thriving, expanding, and standing on its own as one of the most influential nations in the world." The British Embassy in Luxembourg similarly expressed its "most sincere condolences to his family and to the people and government of Luxembourg".

The Patrons and Council of the British Luxembourg Society have also released a statement, commenting on the fact that "Grand Duke Jean was a great friend of the United Kingdom having served in the British Army as an officer in the Irish Guards during the second world war. He was subsequently Colonel of the Regiment and an Honorary General in the British Army. He was frequently to be seen at the annual Trooping of the Colour riding behind Her Majesty the Queen. HRH Grand Duke Jean was much loved by all who came into contact with him."