Luxembourg's monarchy in upheaval: Maria Teresa publicly charges!

Luxembourg's monarchy in upheaval: Maria Teresa publicly charges!

Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg will abdicate on October 3, 2025 after 25 years at the head of the Luxembourg monarchy. His eldest son, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume, will succeed to the throne. Guillaume is 43 years old and together with his wife Stéphanie he will lead the Grand Duchy into a new era. The abdicating grandparents, Grand Duke Jean and Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte, would always have rejected such a development, which resembles the style of celebrity.

Amid this transition period, Maria Teresa, who has been married to Henri for 44 years, raises significant concerns about public perception of the monarchy. Loud Mercury She criticizes the fact that excessive importance is attached to the external appearance of the monarchy, while the actual actions are often pushed into the background. Maria Teresa, who has been campaigning for women's rights and against violence against women for decades, regrets that royal families are now equated with celebrities.

Challenges for the monarchy

The past year was challenging for the grand ducal couple, marked by the corona pandemic and the necessary restructuring of the court. Prime Minister Xavier Bettel and Special Envoy Jean Waringo support comprehensive reforms related to finance, human resources management and the role of Maria Teresa. The Waringo report reveals that there is “no place” for Maria Teresa at court, which puts further pressure on her in her role.

In an interview, Henri confessed to his wife and explained that the monarchy had to be strongly supported by the ruling couple. He says there are still many tasks to be completed before he can hand over the reins to Guillaume, including the integration of non-Luxembourgs and the search for a balance between economic development, ecology and social well-being. He adheres to Queen Elizabeth's motto: “Never explain, never complain”.

Maria Teresa reflects on her própria role and admits that she feels the pressure at court, not always feeling up to expectations. “There is also the feeling of wanting to eliminate people at court,” she reveals. Although the time has not yet come for Henri and Maria Teresa to step down from their duties, they are facing a new era in their monarchy.

These tensions and challenges make it clear that the Luxembourg royal family is facing a turning point in which the issues of public perception and international responsibility are becoming increasingly important.