Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume is poised to succeed his father, Grand Duke Henri, pledging continuity, public connection, and readiness to face the unknown as he assumes the throne of Luxembourg.
Luxembourg is marking a historic transition as Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume, 43, prepares to assume the throne from his father, Grand Duke Henri, following decades of royal leadership. In a rare inside look, TIME was escorted through the halls of the palace, where Guillaume paused to look out over the cobbled square below, a symbolic gesture of his impending role.
Guillaume, the eldest of five children, has been preparing for this moment “all my life,” he said. “I want to make sure that I always keep this link with the people. I think that’s what the monarch in the 21st century should be.” His pledge underscores a desire to blend tradition with accessibility.
Three days of celebration will follow the enthronement, featuring concerts, a dinner for European royals and leaders, and a symbolic walk across Luxembourg’s main bridge — perhaps the only time in his life he will traverse it as a private citizen. Guillaume conceded, “The challenges I will face during my reign are not known for the moment. But I am ready to be listening.”
As the small European state edges into this new chapter, Guillaume must weigh tradition, public expectations, and global uncertainty. His reign may serve as a stabilizing presence in a continent grappling with nationalism, geopolitical tensions, and the evolving role of monarchy.