Henry of Luxembourg announced the start of the abdication process, placing his son William as Prince Regent and set to assume official government duties in October.
“I have decided to hand over the position of lieutenant to Prince William in October,” Henrique, 70, announced in an announcement considered surprising.
“With all my love and trust I wish you happy leadership. Let us look to the future with optimism, knowing that only together we can achieve great things,” she proclaimed.
William, 42, will be proclaimed lieutenant of the Grand Duke – a role similar to that of a prince regent in the United Kingdom – and will fully assume his duties after taking the oath before Parliament.
Enrique, however, will maintain the title of sovereign of the country, which he has held for almost a quarter of a century and which he received from his father, Grand Duke João, in October 2000.
From the grandmother who was exiled in Portugal to the father who fought in World War II. Grand Duke Henri and the tradition of abdicating in Luxembourg
Speaking to public broadcaster RTL, Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden admitted that he had been discussing the transition with Grand Duke Henri for some time.
“The measure has my full support,” Frieden said after the announcement.
Although he did not explain the precise reasons for the decision, the prime minister explained that it is a procedure “as normal as it is historic.”
Luxembourg, which follows the constitutional monarchical regime, has a population of 660 thousand inhabitants and is located between France, Germany and Belgium.
Source: Observadora
