In Memoriam:

Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte of Luxembourg

(1927-2005)

Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte of Luxembourg died of lung cancer on January 10, 2005 at Fischbach Castle in Fischbach, Luxembourg at the age of 77.  She was the wife of Grand Duke Jean, who abdicated in favor of their son Henri in 2000, and the sister of King Albert II of Belgium.  The funeral and the burial, attended by royalty from many countries, were both at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Luxembourg City on Saturday, January 15, 2005.

Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte was the daughter of King Leopold III of Belgium and his first wife Princess Astrid of Sweden.  Tragically, Queen Astrid died in a car accident when Princess Joséphine-Charlotte was only eight years old.  King Leopold III had been driving and lost control of the car.

Princess Joséphine-Charlotte married Prince Jean of Luxembourg, then the Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg, on April 9, 1953 in Luxembourg.  They had five children, including a set of twins:

HRH Princess Marie-Astrid born February 17, 1954
HRH Grand Duke Henri born April 16, 1955
HRH Prince Jean born May 15, 1957
HRH Princess Margaretha born 15 May 15, 1957
HRH Prince Guillaume born May 1, 1963

Links:
Telegraph: Obituary of Grand Duchess Josephine-Charlotte