by Scott Mehl © Unofficial Royalty 2014

Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg

Maria Teresa Mestre y Batista-Falla was born March 22, 1956, in Havana, Cuba, to José Antonio Mestre y Álvarez and María Teresa Batista y Falla de Mestre. Three years later, the family left Cuba and settled in New York, where Maria Teresa began her education. She attended the Marymount School in New York City, and then the Lycée Français de New York. In 1965, the family moved to Geneva, Switzerland, where Maria Teresa became a Swiss citizen. She continued her education at the Marie-José Institute in Gstaad, and then the Marie-Thérèse boarding school in Geneva, graduating in 1975. She then enrolled at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, graduating with her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. While at the Graduate Institute, she met her future husband, Hereditary Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, the eldest son of Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg and Princess Joséphine-Charlotte of Belgium.

photo: Royal Order of Sartorial Splendor

Maria Teresa and Henri were married in a civil ceremony on February 4, 1981, at the Grand Ducal Palace, and a religious ceremony on February 14, 1981, at Notre Dame Cathedral in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg

• Unofficial Royalty: Wedding of Grand Duke Henri and Maria Teresa Mestre y Batista Falla

The couple had five children:

• Guillaume, Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg (born 1981), married Stéphanie de Lannoy, had two sons
• Prince Félix of Luxembourg (born 1984), married Claire Lademacher, had one daughter and two sons
• Prince Louis of Luxembourg (born 1986), married Tessy Antony, had two sons, divorced
• Princess Alexandra of Luxembourg (born 1991), married Nicolas Bagory
• Prince Sébastien of Luxembourg (born 1992)

Maria Teresa has always been an advocate for social and humanitarian issues. Since her marriage, she has undertaken numerous actions in favor of vulnerable people in Luxembourg and around the world, in particular through the Foundation of the Grand Duke and of the Grand Duchess, which she chairs.

Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Resources at Unofficial Royalty

• Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Index
• Line of Succession to the Throne of Luxembourg
• Luxembourg FAQs
• Luxembourg Orders and Honours
• Luxembourg Royal Burial Sites
• Luxembourg Royal Christenings
• Luxembourg Royal Dates
• Luxembourg Royal Residences
• Luxembourg Royal Weddings
• Profiles of the Grand Ducal Family of Luxembourg
• Rulers of Luxembourg

by Susan Flantzer  © Unofficial Royalty 2014

Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg; Credit – Wikipedia

Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg (Henri Albert Gabriel Félix Marie Guillaume) was born on April 16, 1955, in Betzdorf Castle in Luxembourg. He is the eldest son and second child of Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg and Princess Joséphine-Charlotte of Belgium, and a first cousin of King Philippe of the Belgians.

• Unofficial Royalty: Ancestors of Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg
• Unofficial Royalty: First Cousins of Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg

Henri was christened on April 19, 1955, at Betzdorf Castle in Luxembourg. His godparents were:

• The Prince of Liège, later King Albert II of the Belgians, his maternal uncle
• Countess of Holstein-Ledreborg, his paternal aunt, born Princess Marie Gabriele of Luxembourg

Grand Duke Henri has four siblings:

• Princess Marie Astrid (born 1954) married Archduke Carl Christian of Austria, had five children
• Prince Jean (born 1957) married (1) Hélène Vestur, had four children (divorced) (2) Diane De Guerre
• Princess Margaretha (born 1957) married Prince Nikolaus of Liechtenstein, had four children
• Prince Guillaume (born 1963) married Sibilla Weiller, had four children

Grand Duke Henri on the left with his parents and three of his siblings; Credit – Wikipedia

Henri received his primary and secondary education in Luxembourg and France. In 1974, he enrolled at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom and was commissioned an officer in 1975. Henri studied political science at the University of Geneva and the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, both in Geneva, Switzerland and he graduated with honors in 1980.

While studying in Geneva, Henri met his future wife, María Teresa Mestre y Batista-Falla, who was also a political science student. María Teresa was born in Cuba, but her parents left Cuba when she was three years old and she grew up in New Jersey and New York City. The engagement took Luxembourg by surprise when it was announced on November 8, 1980. The couple married civilly at the Grand Ducal Palace in Luxembourg City on February 4, 1981, and religiously on February 14, 1981, at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Luxembourg City.

• Unofficial Royalty: Wedding of Grand Duke Henri and Maria Teresa Mestre y Batista Falla

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The couple had five children:

• Guillaume, Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg (born 1981), married Stéphanie de Lannoy, had two sons
• Prince Félix of Luxembourg (born 1984), married Claire Lademacher, had one daughter and two sons
• Prince Louis of Luxembourg (born 1986), married Tessy Antony, had two sons, divorced
• Princess Alexandra of Luxembourg (born 1991), married Nicolas Bagory
• Prince Sébastien of Luxembourg (born 1992)

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On October 7, 2000, Grand Duke Jean abdicated, Henri became Grand Duke and took the constitutional oath before the Chamber of Deputies later that day. Grand Duke Henri is a constitutional monarch and therefore has limited powers. He has the power to appoint the Prime Minister and Government, to dissolve the Chamber of Deputies, to proclaim laws enacted by the Chamber of Deputies, and to accredit ambassadors. Grand Duke Henri is Commander-in-Chief of the Luxembourg Army and holds the rank of General.

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Grand Duke Henri and his family at the swearing-in ceremony

Grand Duke Henri is active in many organizations. He is a member of the International Olympic Committee, a member of The Mentor Foundation established by the World Health Organization as an international NGO voice of drug use and substance abuse prevention, and a Director of the Charles Darwin Trust for the Galapagos Islands.  The Grand Duke is a member of the board of directors of the Foundation of the Grand Duke and of the Grand Duchess, of which the Grand Duchess is President, and which aims to work for people in distress and with specific needs in Luxembourg society. The Foundation also supports projects in Africa and Asia.

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Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg arrive for the baptism of their grandson Prince Charles of Luxembourg on September 19, 2020

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Resources at Unofficial Royalty

• Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Index
• Line of Succession to the Throne of Luxembourg
• Luxembourg FAQs
• Luxembourg Orders and Honours
• Luxembourg Royal Burial Sites
• Luxembourg Royal Christenings
• Luxembourg Royal Dates
• Luxembourg Royal Residences
• Luxembourg Royal Weddings
• Profiles of the Grand Ducal Family of Luxembourg
• Rulers of Luxembourg

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2014

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Sibilla Sandra Weiller y Torlonia was born June 12, 1968, in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, the second child of Paul-Annik Weiller and Doña Olimpia Torlonia di Civitella-Cesi. Her mother is the daughter of Infanta Beatriz of Spain and a first cousin of King Juan Carlos of Spain, both being grandchildren of King Alfonso XIII of Spain and Queen Victoria Eugenie, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria.

Raised in Geneva, Sibilla completed her secondary education at the Institut Florimont, receiving her baccalaureate with honors in economics. She then attended the École du Louvre, in Paris, earning a degree in Art History in 1991, during which time she worked in the restoration department of the Musée des Monuments Français in Versailles. She then moved to London, working in several galleries while continuing her studies in contemporary art. In 1993, she opened her own art gallery. The following year, her engagement was announced by the Grand Ducal Court of Luxembourg.

photo: Royal Order of Sartorial Splendor

Sibilla married her distant cousin, Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg. Guillaume is the youngest child of Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg and Princess Josephine-Charlotte of Belgium. A civil wedding was held on September 8, 1994, in Sélestat, France, followed by a religious ceremony on September 24, 1994, at the Versailles Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Louis de Versailles). The couple had four children:

• Prince Paul Louis of Nassau (born 1998)
• Prince Léopold of Nassau (born 2000, twin of Charlotte)
• Princess Charlotte of Nassau (born 2000, twin of Léopold)
• Prince Jean of Nassau (born 2004)

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Prince Guillaume, Princess Sibilla, and their children, at the wedding of Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg, 2012

Following her marriage, Princess Sibilla has been involved with many cultural and social associations within Luxembourg and abroad. Along with many others, she served on the purchasing committee of the National Cultural Fund in the late 1990s, with her primary responsibility being the building of the collection for the Grand Duke Jean Museum of Modern Art. Until 2013, she served as International Chairman of the Venetian Heritage Foundation. For many years she has served on the Advisory Board of the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice, Italy, and was appointed President in June 2013. She and her husband live in Luxembourg and are often in attendance at major events in the Grand Duchy, as well as most family functions.

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2013

“I feel I have reached the age to retire, and I think that Jean is the age to take over.
After all, I am 68 now.”
– Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg

On November 12, 1964, in the presence of her family and members of the government, Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg signed the declaration of abdication after a reign that lasted nearly 46 years. Her eldest son Jean became the new reigning Grand Duke of Luxembourg. Nearly 36 years, Jean himself would abdicate in favor of his eldest son Grand Duke Henri. (You can read more about that here)

Charlotte was never expected to become Grand Duchess. She was the second of six daughters of Grand Duke Guillaume IV and his wife, Infanta Marie Anne of Portugal. At the time, only male descendants could succeed to the throne. However, having only daughters, Grand Duke Guillaume IV made a change to the house laws allowing his daughters to succeed him should there be no male heir. Upon his death in 1912, his eldest daughter, Marie-Adelaide, became Grand Duchess of Luxembourg. This change applied only to the daughters of Guillaume. It would not be until 2011 that Luxembourg adopted absolute primogeniture, allowing all children, in order of birth, to succeed to the throne.

Marie-Adelaide’s reign lasted only until 1919. During World War I, she was perceived as being too “friendly” with the Germans who had occupied Luxembourg. While remaining with her constitutional role, her actions, or perceived actions, led to many in the government to call for her abdication. Ceding to this pressure, she abdicated on January 14, 1919, and her younger sister Charlotte became the new Grand Duchess.

Charlotte’s reign saw her become a much-loved leader in the country and a voice of strength and unity during World War II. When the Germans occupied Luxembourg, Charlotte, having learned from her sister’s experience during the First World War, chose not to remain in the country and with her family, fled the country. She established her government-in-exile in London where she continued to give radio broadcasts to the people of Luxembourg. She and her family returned in 1945, where she worked effortlessly to rebuild and restore Luxembourg and propel the small Grand Duchy onto the world’s stage.

After nearly 20 more years, Charlotte decided that it was time to pass the torch to her son Jean. While remaining the head of state, in 1961 Charlotte handed over much of her constitutional duties to Jean, who served as Lieutenant Representative. Finally, in 1964, she formally abdicated in his favor.

Following the brief ceremony at the Grand-Ducal Palace, at which Charlotte signed the declaration of abdication, her son Jean was formally enthroned at a ceremony in the Hall of the Chamber of Deputies, where he swore allegiance to the Constitution of Luxembourg. A Te Deum was then held at the Cathedral Notre Dame de Luxembourg, and the family appeared several times on the balcony of the Grand-Ducal Palace.

Grand Duchess Charlotte passed away at her home, Fischbach Castle, in July 1985. She was 89.

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2013

photo: www.angelfire.com

October 7, 2000 – Abdication of Grand Duke Jean; Accession of Grand Duke Henri

On October 7, 2000, Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg abdicated after nearly 36 years as the reigning Grand Duke. The ceremony took place at the Grand Ducal Palace, in a scene almost identical to that held in 1964 when Jean’s mother, Grand Duchess Charlotte, abdicated in his favor. With his wife by his side, Jean signed the abdication decree, and his eldest son, Henri, became the new Grand Duke of Luxembourg. In attendance were members of the Government, members of the Grand Ducal Family, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, and King Albert II and Queen Paola of Belgium. The ceremony, originally planned for September 28, had been postponed after Jean’s youngest son Guillaume was seriously injured in a car accident in Paris.

Shortly after the abdication ceremony, the royals processed to the Hall of the Chamber of Deputies, next door to the Palace, for Henri’s enthronement ceremony. Following a reading of the Abdication Decree and a speech by the President of the Chamber, Henri stood to swear allegiance to the Constitution of Luxembourg.

Following his speech from the throne (which had been ‘lost’ for many years but found and restored for the ceremony), the family proceeded back to the Palace where the new Grand Duke and Grand Duchess appeared on the balcony, joined by the rest of the Grand Ducal Family and royal guests. After a luncheon at the palace, the new Grand Duke, with his wife and children, and his siblings, processed to the Cathedral Notre Dame de Luxembourg for a service of thanksgiving. After returning to the palace, the Grand Ducal Family then went to the Town Hall, greeting the mass of Luxembourg citizens who had come to witness the event. The evening ended with another balcony appearance.

Jean had become Grand Duke upon his mother’s abdication in November 1964 (more about that HERE!) Grand Duchess Charlotte had stepped down after nearly 46 years as head of state, having come to the throne upon the abdication of her elder sister, Grand Duchess Marie-Adélaide in 1919. Following the abdication, Grand Duke Jean moved to Fischbach Castle, while Henri and his family moved to Berg Castle.

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2013

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Prince Louis Xavier Marie Guillaume of Luxembourg, Prince of Nassau, Prince of Bourbon-Parma, was born August 3, 1986, at the Maternité Grand Duchess Charlotte Hospital in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg. He is the third of the five children and third of the four sons of Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg and Maria Teresa Mestre y Batista. Louis was christened on September 14, 1986. His godparents were:

• Princess Margaretha of Luxembourg, Princess of Liechtenstein, his paternal aunt
• Xavier Sanz

Prince Louis as an infant, with his parents and elder brothers.
photo: © Cour grand-ducale

Louis has four siblings:

• Guillaume, Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg (born 1981), married Stéphanie de Lannoy, had two sons
• Prince Félix of Luxembourg (born 1984), married Claire Lademacher, had one daughter and two sons
• Princess Alexandra of Luxembourg (born 1991), married Nicolas Bagory
• Prince Sébastien of Luxembourg (born 1992)

Louis grew up at Fischbach Castle, his family’s home until his father’s accession in 2000 when they moved to Berg Castle. He began his primary education at the local school in Lorentzweiler followed by the American School of Luxembourg. He then completed his secondary education at Collège Beau Soleil in Switzerland, graduating in 2005. While studying in Switzerland, the Prince developed his interest in humanitarian work and through his school, participated in several missions, including one to India where he taught English to children in poor neighborhoods. Along with Luxembourgish, he is fluent in English, French, German, and Spanish. He also took an internship with the International Red Cross in Geneva.

Tessy, Louis, and their sons; photo © Cour grand-ducale / Christian Aschman

It was during a visit to troops in Yugoslavia in 2004 that Prince Louis met his future wife, Tessy Antony. She was a member of the Luxembourg Army, on a mission connected to the NATO force in Kosovo. The couple had a son, Gabriel, born in March 2006. They married later that year, on September 26, 2006, in Gilsdorf, a small village in northeast Luxembourg. At the time of the wedding, Prince Louis relinquished his rights of succession, as well as that of any descendants. He retained his royal style and title, but his wife simply took on the surname ‘de Nassau’. A second son – Noah – was born in September 2007.  In 2009, Tessy was created HRH Princess Tessy of Luxembourg, and their sons were made HRH Prince Gabriel and HRH Prince Noah of Nassau.

Prince Louis with his sons, 2017. © Cour grand-ducale / Lola Velasco

The family lived in the United States for two years, before moving to London where Louis and Tessy studied at Richmond American University. They both received their Bachelor’s degrees in May 2014, Tessy in International Relations, and Louis in Communications. The Grand Ducal Court of Luxembourg announced on January 18, 2017, that Prince Louis and Princess Tessy of Luxembourg plan to divorce.  Their divorce was granted on February 17, 2017, in London where they lived, and finalized on April 4, 2019. Tessy was then known as Tessy Antony de Nassau.

Prince Louis received a master’s degree in psychosocial studies at Birkbeck University in London. He then attended the Catholic University of Paris, studying to be a mediator, and received the international certificate issued by The Center for Effective Dispute Resolution. In 2020, Louis set up his own mediation company, SIBE Mediation, with three partners in Paris, France, merging the expertise of mediators with that of psychosocial and legal professionals.

On April 6, 2021, the Grand Ducal Court of Luxembourg announced the engagement of Prince Louis of Luxembourg and Scarlett-Lauren Sirgue. Scarlett-Lauren is the daughter of Pierre Sirgue, a French lawyer specializing in health law, and Scarlett Berrebi, a French lawyer specializing in family law. Scarlett-Lauren was a lawyer in her parents’ law firm, and Louis worked as a mediator in the same law firm. Less than a year later, on February 22, 2022, the couple announced that they were amicably ending their four-year relationship. Louis and Scarlett-Lauren issued an official statement that said: “We have decided not to pursue our romantic relationship while remaining deeply bound by friendship and tenderness. It is a decision we have made together upon serious reflection.”

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

by Susan Flantzer  © Unofficial Royalty 2013

Grand Duchess Marie-Adélaïde of Luxembourg, Credit – Wikipedia

Her Grand Ducal Highness Princess Marie-Adélaïde of Luxembourg (Marie-Adélaïde Thérèse Hilda Wilhelmine) was born on June 14, 1894, at Berg Castle in Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg.  At the time of her birth, her father was the Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg and her grandfather Adolphe was the Grand Duke of Luxembourg.  In 1905, her father became Grand Duke Guillaume IV of Luxembourg.  Marie-Adélaïde’s mother was Infanta Marie Anne of Portugal, daughter of the deposed King Miguel I of Portugal and Adelaide of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg.  Guillaume, who was Protestant, had married the Catholic Marie Anne because he thought Luxembourg should have a Roman Catholic ruler.  All the rulers since have been Roman Catholic.

Marie-Adélaïde’s grandfather Adolphe had become Grand Duke of Luxembourg because of the Salic Law.  Up until 1890, the King of the Netherlands was also the Grand Duke of Luxembourg.  However, when Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands succeeded her father in 1890, she could not become Grand Duchess of Luxembourg because of the Salic Law which forbade female succession.  The Grand Duchy’s crown passed to Adolphe, Duke of Nassau via the Nassau Pact.

Ironically, Adolphe’s son Guillaume had six daughters and no sons and therefore, there was another succession problem.  There were only two male heirs, Guillaume’s uncle Prince Nikolaus-Wilhelm of Nassau and Prince Nikolaus-Wilhelm of Nassau’s son by a morganatic marriage, Count Georg Nikolaus von Merenberg.  In 1905, Prince Nikolaus-Wilhelm of Nassau died and in 1907 Grand Duke William declared the Counts of Merenberg were not dynasts and named his eldest daughter Marie-Adélaïde heiress-presumptive.

The five sisters of Marie-Adélaïde:

• Charlotte, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg (1896–1985), married her first cousin Prince Felix of Bourbon-Parma, had issue
• Princess Hilda (1897 –  1979), married Adolf, 10th Prince of Schwarzenberg, no issue
• Princess Antonia (1899–1954), married Crown Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria, had issue
• Princess Elisabeth (1901 – 1950), married Prince Ludwig Philipp of Thurn and Taxis, had issue
• Princess Sophie (1902 – 1941), married Prince Ernst Heinrich of Saxony, had issue

Marie-Adélaïde (seated on the right) with her mother (seated in the middle) and her five sisters in 1920. Photo credit – Wikipedia

Grand Duke Guillaume died on February 25, 1912, and Marie-Adélaïde became the first reigning Grand Duchess of Luxembourg at the age of 17.  Her mother served as regent until her 18th birthday.  Marie-Adélaïde had a great interest in politics and government and played an active role as Grand Duchess.  A number of her political views were colored by her devout belief in Roman Catholicism.

In the early days of World War I, Germany violated the neutral stance of Luxembourg and invaded the country.  Marie-Adélaïde issued a formal protest, but this was not effective in preventing the military occupation by Germany. She decided not to resist the much stronger Germans, but instead to maintain her country’s neutrality. However, during World War I,  Marie-Adélaïde developed a rather friendly relationship with the Germans, including hosting Wilhelm II, German Emperor at the palace.  This caused her political opponents in Luxembourg to call her pro-German. Members of the parliament began to call for her abdication in January 1919. After consulting with the Prime Minister, Marie-Adélaïde abdicated on January 14, 1919.  Her sister Charlotte succeeded her.

After her abdication, Marie-Adélaïde entered a Carmelite convent in Modena, Italy.  Eventually, she became a nun, joining the Little Sisters of the Poor in Rome, taking the name Sister Marie of the Poor. Her health began to worsen so she left the convent and settled at Hohenburg Castle in Bavaria, Germany where she died of influenza on January 24, 1924, at the age of 29.  On October 22, 1947, her remains were returned to her home country and were buried in the Grand Ducal Crypt of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg.

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Resources at Unofficial Royalty

• Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Index
• Line of Succession to the Throne of Luxembourg
• Luxembourg FAQs
• Luxembourg Orders and Honours
• Luxembourg Royal Burial Sites
• Luxembourg Royal Christenings
• Luxembourg Royal Dates
• Luxembourg Royal Residences
• Luxembourg Royal Weddings
• Profiles of the Grand Ducal Family of Luxembourg
• Rulers of Luxembourg