Grand Duke Guillaume Celebrates Eve of National Day in Differdange, Luxembourg City

On Monday 22 June 2026, the eve of the national day, the Grand Duchy traditionally has a series of official celebrations and festivities to celebrate the Grand Duke's official birthday. 

While the main evening celebrations are held in Luxembourg city centre, the Grand Ducal couple normally travel outside the city too.

Changing of the Guard

Prior to leaving for Differdange, there was a formal changing of the guard ceremony in front of the Grand Ducal Palace in Luxembourg city centre, involving two platoons. 

The first changing of the guard in front of the Grand Ducal Palace took place on 12 April 1945, two days before the return from exile of Grand Duchess Charlotte. Performed by the Grand Ducal Guard Corps from 1945 to 1966, this military tradition was subsequently taken over by the Luxembourg Army.
Until 1966, the changing of the guard took place every Saturday. This tradition was, however, interrupted following the dissolution of the Grand Ducal Guard in 1966, before being reinstated in 1999. Today, three formal changing of the guard ceremonies are held each year. The first marks the beginning of the National Day festivities, while the following two take place during the summer period and respectively symbolise the suspension and then the resumption of official activities at the Grand Ducal Palace.

Differdange

On Friday afternoon, Grand Duke Guillaume and Grand Duchess Stéphanie broke with tradition and, instead of visiting Luxembourg's second largest city, Esch-sur-Alzette, they instead visited Differdange, the next largest city.

There they were welcomed by Guy Altmeisch, mayor of the city of Differdange, Claude Wiseler, president of the Chamber of Deputies, and Marc Spautz, Minister of Labour, representing the government, in the presence of the Marshal of the Court, Sasha Baillie. 

In the Parc Gerlache, other dignitaries were present to welcome them, including government ministers and city aldermen, as well as mayors of cities twinned with Differdange, including Thomas Kopf, Penzberg (Germany), Matthias Harman, Ahlen (Germany), Atik Khalid, Longwy (France), Tiago Cruz, Vice President of the Municipality, Mira (Portugal), Giampaola Olivieri, Deputy Mayor, Fiuminata (Italy) and Mike Smith, Oxford, Ohio (United States)

The speeches were followed by the screening of a short video presentation of the City of Differdange, a performance by the Saint Francis of Assisi Choir of Differdange, a rhythmic and sports gymnastics display by GRS Differdange, a fencing demonstration by Cercle Escrime Sud, a saxophone performance by Differdange Regional Music School, a song by the Indian Arts and Cultural Association of Luxembourg (IACAL), Capoeira Differdange and a demonstration by the Differdange Karate Club.

The last event on the official route was a scout bonfire.

Luxembourg City: Torchlit Parade, Fireworks

At around 21:00 on Monday evening, the Grand Ducal couple walked the short distance from the Grand Ducal Palace to the City Hall on Place Guillaume II where they were welcomed by Mayor Lydie Polfer and Deputy Mayor Maurice Bauer.

Half an hour later, the torchlight procession, serenaded by the Military Band, wove through the narrow streets of the city's pedestrian zone, passing by the Grand Duke and the Grand Duchess and many dignitaries on Place Guillaume II, involving groups of representatives of organisations registered in Luxembourg city, including the international community. 

Around 2,800 people are understood to have participated in this year's torchlit parade, from organisations including sports clubs, scouts (including Telstar) and guides, as well as marching bands, majorettes and more.

Many stages erected throughout the city had live music to entertain the revellers who were out in force despite the heatwave. The music continued into the small hours of the morning, with indoor concerts continuing longer than those outdoors. 

With the Grand Ducal couple and other dignitaries them moving to the Place de la Constitution, the fireworks started at 23:00 from the Pont Adolphe over the Pétrusse valley in Luxembourg city centre, accompanied by music composed by Erny Delosch, and lasting 17 minutes. The celebrations attracted tens of thousands of spectators who appreciated the warm evening and clear skies, with many remembering such celebrations when the weather was much coller and wetter.