Hereditary Grand Duke Celebrates 42nd Birthday

The Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg, Guillaume Jean Joseph Marie, Prince of Luxembourg, Prince of Nassau and Bourbon-Parma, is celebrating his 42nd birthday today, on Saturday 11 November 2023.

Born on 11 November 1981, at the Grand Duchess Charlotte Maternity Hospital, he is the eldest son of the Grand Duke and the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg.

Following his father's ascension to the throne on 7 October 2000, Prince Guillaume took the oath on 18 December 2000, officially assuming the title of the Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg. On 20 October 2012, he married Countess Stéphanie de Lannoy, who became the Hereditary Grand Duchess of Luxembourg.

Prince Guillaume and Princess Stéphanie are parents to two children, Prince Charles Jean Philippe Joseph Marie Guillaume, born on 10 May 2020, and Prince François Henri Louis Marie Guillaume, born on 27 March 2023, both delivered at the Grand Duchess Charlotte Maternity Hospital. They hold the second and third positions in the line of succession to the throne of Luxembourg.

Prince Guillaume commenced his education at the primary school in Lorentzweiler and continued his secondary education at Lycée Robert Schuman in Luxembourg City. At the age of sixteen, he enrolled at the Institut Le Rosey and later at the Collège Alpin Beau Soleil in Switzerland, where he successfully obtained his French Baccalaureate in 2001.

Following the completion of his officer training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) in the United Kingdom (UK), Prince Guillaume was sworn in as an officer of the Luxembourg Army in December 2002, now holding the rank of Colonel.

After studying international politics in the UK, he pursued further studies in France, earning a double degree in Literature and Political Science with honours from the University of Angers in 2009. Prince Guillaume also gained practical experience through internships at the Belgian Chemical Union and Deutsche Bank in London in 2003 and 2004, respectively. Additionally, in 2005, he underwent training at the Spanish branch of the steel group ArcelorMittal.

From 2018 to 2019, the Hereditary Grand Duke undertook a postgraduate course at the Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS) in London, enhancing his expertise for his forthcoming responsibilities as Head of State. In 2018, the Miami University John E Dolibois European Center (MUDEC) in Luxembourg awarded him the highest honorary distinction, the Doctorate honoris causa, for his notable public and social engagements.

As a member of the Grand Ducal Family, the Hereditary Grand Duke holds prestigious titles, including Knight of the Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau, Grand Cross of the Order of Civil and Military Merit of Adolphe of Nassau, and Grand Cross of the Order of the Oak Crown. In 2015, he was also honoured with the medal of Grand Officier de la Légion d’Honneur of France.