Grand Duke Henri Marks 25 Years on the Throne with List of 40 Key Moments

The Maison du Grand-Duc has published a list of 40 key dates marking Grand Duke Henri’s reign, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of his accession to the throne, coinciding with Luxembourg’s National Day.

The selection is based on 320 non-recurring activities carried out since 7 October 2000, with Grand Duke Henri highlighting the most significant moments of his 25-year reign.

The list also reflects the broader context of three major global events with lasting repercussions: the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks, the COVID-19 pandemic that began in March 2020, and the invasion of Ukraine by Russia on 24 February 2022.

1. On 7 October 2000, Grand Duke Henri took the oath before the Chamber of Deputies, in the presence of HM the Queen of the Netherlands and TM the King and Queen of the Belgians. “I swear to observe the Constitution and the laws of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, to maintain national independence and the integrity of the territory, as well as public and individual freedoms.” In the days that followed, the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess made courtesy visits to Paris and Berlin.

2. On 11-12 December 2000, in Madrid, the Grand Duchess took part in the International Conference on the Culture of Peace, at the invitation of Federico Mayor Zaragoza, Honorary Director-General of UNESCO. She gave a speech on “The Intelligence of the Heart” and outlined the focus of her future commitments. Two months later, she carried out a humanitarian mission to Mali.

3. On 14 February 2001, the Grand Ducal couple celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary, surrounded by their five children.

4. On 19 April 2001, the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess merged their respective foundations into the “Fondation du Grand-Duc et de la Grande-Duchesse”, demonstrating their social commitment at the national level.

5. On 23 June 2001, National Day was celebrated for the first time under the new Grand Duke. This period was also marked by the “joyous entries” and visits across the country. It was the occasion of the first televised Christmas speech.

6. On 11 September 2001, following the terrorist attacks in New York, Grand Duke Henri, “deeply shocked by the tragedy”, sent a message of condolence to US President George W. Bush.

7. On 9 April 2003, during a UNESCO mission to Bangladesh, the Grand Duchess met Professor Muhammad Yunus. This marked the beginning of a close friendship with the man who would later receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his work in microfinance serving the poorest communities. Together with the “banker to the poor”, the Grand Duchess launched the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation, a concept she brought to Luxembourg by establishing the first European Microfinance Award and “LuxFLAG”, of which she serves as President.

8. On 10 October 2003, the University of Luxembourg was established. The university shares the same DNA as the Grand Duchy: international exchange and bilateral partnerships. The success of the University (7,000 students from 150 countries) benefits young people, research, the economy and Luxembourg as a whole. Almost every state visit includes a stop at the university’s Belval campus.

9. On 13 June 2004, legislative elections confirmed Jean-Claude Juncker as Prime Minister, a role he had held since 1995. He would remain in office until 2013. Xavier Bettel succeeded him until 2024, before handing over to Luc Frieden. The Grand Duke has spent more than half of his reign working with the same Prime Minister and has known three in total over 25 years. This political stability, supported by the constitutional monarchy, is considered one of the Grand Duchy’s key strengths.

10. On 1 January 2005, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg assumed the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. A founding country of the EU, Luxembourg is also regarded as one of the most pro-European member states.

11. On 8 April 2005, the Grand Duchess was appointed member of the Board of Directors and Chair of the Executive Committee of the Luxembourg Red Cross. This became her most significant national engagement, alongside others including the Cancer Foundation (Relais pour la Vie - Télévie), ALAN (rare diseases), Alzheimer Luxembourg, Tricentenaire and the Association of Parents of Mentally Disabled Children (APEMH).

12. On 19 April (2005), the Grand Duchess was named “Eminent Advocate for Children” by UNICEF. She took part in the 30th anniversary of UNICEF Luxembourg in Mondorf, which hosted the annual meeting of national committees on the theme “Children and AIDS”.

13. On 1 December 2008, the Grand Duke raised objections to the law on euthanasia, citing reasons of conscience. This led to a major constitutional debate, which resulted in a revision of the Constitution in 2023.

14. On 2 June 2009, the Grand Duchess visited Burundi with UNICEF. Together with the Sant’Egidio Community, she entered the central prison of Bujumbura, where many children were being held, and denounced their detention conditions. Five months later, she was in Stockholm for the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

15. On 20 June 2011, the Grand Duke introduced gender equality in succession to the throne. This was a significant change that followed the enactment of a law on gender equality, signed by the Grand Duke, three years earlier.

16. On 20 October 2012, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume married Countess Stéphanie de Lannoy. This happy event rekindled ties between Luxembourg and Belgium, last seen at the marriage of Grand Duke Jean and Princess Joséphine-Charlotte.

17. On 18 June 2014, the Grand Duke enacted the marriage equality law. Luxembourg had been one of the first countries to decriminalise homosexuality in 1974. The occasion also served to highlight that, at the time, 63 countries still criminalised homosexuality.

18. In October and November 2015, the Grand Duchess took part in the international conference “Women in Economic Decision-Making.” Her interest in female entrepreneurship led her to raise the topic at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2016, and she expanded on it at the MEDEF Summer School on 29 August 2019, advocating for women’s role in society, legal and factual equality, economic independence, and education for girls.

19. On 30 January 2016, the Grand Duchess focused attention on learning disabilities in Luxembourg. She had previously opened the World Dyslexia Forum in Paris in 2010. In Luxembourg, she became patron of the first international forum on learning disorders, including dyslexia, which affects Prince Louis.

20. On 27 October 2016, the Grand Duchess received Dr Denis Mukwege in audience. Together, they have campaigned against sexual violence in conflict zones. Dr Mukwege went on to receive the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize for his work supporting survivors of sexual violence. The Grand Duchess, who had already raised this issue in 2014 in London, has since developed a close friendship with him. She has given voice to victims at the “Hidden Voices” exhibition in Geneva and supported the “NOT A TARGET” campaign, aimed at protecting aid workers and hospitals in conflict zones.

21. On 6 November 2017, the Grand Duke attended his first United Nations climate conference, COP23, in Bonn. This global environmental meeting has become an annual platform for raising awareness and calling for action. The Grand Duke, personally committed to environmental causes, shares a close friendship with Bertrand Piccard, with whom he advocates for what they describe as “pragmatic optimism.”

22. On 20 July 2018, Luxembourg passed a law promoting the Luxembourgish language. Luxembourgish, French, German and English coexist in public life and daily interactions. The renewed emphasis on Luxembourgish is intended to strengthen social cohesion and integration while affirming a distinct cultural identity.

23. On 30 October 2018, the Grand Duchess carried out a humanitarian visit to Lebanon with UNICEF and the ICRC, including a visit to a refugee camp near Bar Elias.

24. On 26 and 27 March 2019, Luxembourg hosted the first “Stand Speak Rise Up” forum, initiated by the Grand Duchess and attended by three Nobel Peace Prize laureates and numerous survivors of sexual violence from around the world. Following the forum, the Grand Duchess established the SSRU association. On 12 September 2019, she was named UN Champion for the Fight Against Sexual Violence in Conflict, an honour presented by Pramila Patten, the UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict.

25. On 23 April 2019, Luxembourg entered a period of mourning following the death of Grand Duke Jean at the age of 98. He had abdicated in favour of his son Henri in October 2000. His wife, Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte, had passed away on 10 January 2005. The government declared twelve days of national mourning.

26. On 29 February 2020, Luxembourg recorded its first case of COVID-19. On 13 March 2020, the government declared a state of emergency, which remained in effect until 24 June. A second wave of the pandemic followed in October. On 27 October, the Grand Duke delivered a televised speech calling on the population to follow the rules “out of solidarity and respect.” He stated: “We owe it not only to each other, but also to the nurses, doctors, carers and all hospital staff.” COVID-19 claimed 1,123 lives in Luxembourg.

27. On 10 May 2020, the Grand Ducal family celebrated the birth of Prince Charles, son of Prince Guillaume and Princess Stéphanie. His younger brother, Prince François, was born on 27 March 2023.

28. On 9 October 2020, the Maison du Grand-Duc was established by Grand Ducal decree. This new administrative body provides the Grand Duke with the necessary logistical and administrative support to carry out his duties as Head of State. Its creation followed the Waringo report on the organisation and management of the Court.

29. In January 2022, Luxembourg hosted the European Capital of Culture in Esch, under the High Patronage of the Grand Duchess. “Esch 2022” was designed as a cross-border, inclusive and sustainable cultural event. More than 3,500 activities brought together over 500,000 visitors.

30. On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine. The following day, the Grand Duke received Margaritis Schinas, Vice President of the European Commission, at the Grand Ducal Palace to discuss the situation in Ukraine and the reception of refugees in EU member states. Luxembourg expressed its readiness. In his 2022 Christmas speech, the Grand Duke stated: “Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is not only a brutal war of aggression, but also a challenge to everything we have built since 1945 to ensure peaceful coexistence between nations - namely, the principle of conflict resolution through dialogue rather than force. The repercussions of this war weigh heavily on our world.”

31. On 1 July 2023, Luxembourg’s new Constitution entered into force, 175 years after the Constitution of Ettelbruck. The new text is the result of years of work and aims to align the Constitution with the current and future developments of Luxembourgish society.

32. On 18 September 2023, the Grand Duchess attended the University of Luxembourg’s Belval campus for the first academic intake of 60 bachelor’s students in nursing science. This marked a significant step forward in addressing staff shortages in the healthcare sector. The Grand Duchess has long supported healthcare workers.

33. On 8 March 2024, at the Paris Bar, the Grand Duchess took part in a working group focused on training legal professionals in addressing sexual violence as a weapon of war, underlining the need for judicial innovation on this issue.

34. On 27 May 2024, the Grand Duke met with King Charles in Windsor. The two share a strong interest in environmental issues. Later in Oxford, the Grand Duke presented Luxembourg to university students, describing it as “an example of how a small nation can achieve great things through strategic economic planning, political stability, and cultural inclusivity.”

35. On 23 June 2024, during his National Day speech at the Philharmonie, the Grand Duke announced that he would appoint Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume as Lieutenant Representative in October, highlighting his confidence in the younger generation. The transition of reign was thus officially set in motion.

36. On 26 July 2024, the Grand Duke attended the Paris Olympic Games as a member of the International Olympic Committee, describing them as “the most extraordinary” he had seen. He returned in September with the Grand Duchess for the Paralympics, where she awarded the bronze medal to Luxembourg athlete Tom Habscheid.

37. On 25 September 2024, Pope Francis visited Luxembourg for a one-day visit, fifty years after Pope John Paul II. The Grand Duke later expressed condolences upon the Pope’s death on 21 April 2025, praising him as “a man of great compassion.” The Grand Ducal couple attended the installation of his successor, Pope Leo XIV, in Rome on 18 May 2025.

38. On 8 October 2024, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume was sworn in as Lieutenant Representative. The Grand Duke signed the decree at the Palace, followed by a formal swearing-in ceremony in Parliament, marking the official start of the transition. The Grand Duke reportedly expressed relief at the milestone.

39. On 7 December 2024, the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess attended the official reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. The Grand Duchess is the godmother of the cathedral’s restored bell “Marie”, which survived the fire. The event paid tribute to firefighters, engineers, architects, and artisans who led the UNESCO World Heritage site’s rapid restoration.

40. On 30 May 2025, the Grand Duke led a high-level ministerial and economic delegation for “Luxembourg Day” at Expo 2025 in Osaka. Commending the national pavilion, he said: “Luxembourg’s pavilion is a brilliant example of what can be achieved when we work in harmony. It is the result of a remarkable co-operation between Japanese and Luxembourg companies.”