Their Royal Highnesses the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess in Geneva;
Credit: © Cour grand-ducale / Marion Dessard
His Royal Highness the Grand Duke of Luxembourg today issued a statement in defence of his wife, the Grand Duchess, in light of press coverage concerning an internal analysis of the management of the Grand Ducal Court.
The statement follows the publication of an article (in Lëtzebuerger Land) last week on the alleged behaviour of Grand Duchess Maria Teresa towards staff and on the future of Luxembourg's monarchy in general. The article in question was linked to a recent report on the management of the Court, compiled by former senior civil servant Jeannot Waringo at Prime Minister Xavier Bettel's request.
In his press statement, Grand Duke Henri, who is currently attending the bedside of his brother-in-law in intensive care in Geneva, recalled that he had agreed to the Prime Minister's request for a report "out of a desire for openness, transparency and modernity". Since then, however, certain members of the press have made what he believes to be "unfair accusations" against his wife. "Why attack a woman? A woman who speaks up for other women? A woman who is not even being given the right to defend herself?" he wrote, before adding: "Since I came to the throne, it has been our shared desire to help modernise our constitutional monarchy, and we wish to continue to contribute to this process. The causes my wife has fought for, which I have always supported and which we will continue to fight for, are vitally important".
In this context, Grand Duke Henri stated: "I am proud of the commitment, intelligence and energy my wife brings to bear in all this work. The devotion she has shown over the past 39 years to serving our country by my side is exemplary and is of essential importance to me. We will continue to serve you; to be there for you and for Luxembourg".
Looking to the future, the Grand Duke concluded: "Especially at this crucial time when our children are setting out on a family life of their own, we feel bound as parents to ensure that they can make the most of these precious years as our heirs".
