© Steve Müller
The Grand Duchy bade farewell to the popular statesman with a solemn funeral ceremony this Saturday.
The time has come: Luxembourg and its mourning residents said goodbye and paid their last respects to Grand Duke Jean - "Äddi Jang" echoed through Luxembourg's streets like a melancholic chorus.
The funeral ceremony took place at Luxembourg City's cathedral and began shortly after 11.15am. Countless representatives from various European royal families, political figures and thousands of citizens came to the city to pay their last tributes to the adored statesman. The funeral ceremony was also live streamed on a large screen at the Place d'Armes, attracting additional masses of mourners.
Before the ceremony, a military vehicle transported Grand Duke Jean's coffin from the palace to the cathedral. It was eventually carried into the cathedral while soldiers and scouts formed a guard of honour.
You can see a lot of this in our live-ticker article, which features photos of people as they arrived.
"Your Grace, we love you"
Archbishop Jean-Claude Hollerech conducted the highly emotional mass. Grand Duke Jean's oldest daughter, princess Marie-Astrid, gave a speech in French. Jean's youngest son, prince Guillaume, also gave a speech - this time in Luxembourgish.
The oldest grandchildren of the Grand Duke gave the intercessions and hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume started in Luxembourgish. Other intercessions were in French and English.
The archbishop also gave his sermon in three languages. He applauded the Grand Duke for his lifelong devotion, his compassion and love for his homeland, his country, his family and nature. He concluded his sermon by bidding farewell to the statesman in the name of the country. His last touching words were "Your Grace, we love you."
The church choir, led by Marc Dostert, sang songs and the national military band played music under the direction of Jean-Claude Braun. Paul Breisch played the organ. Two Irish Guards (Jean was a member of the Irish Guards) even played the bagpipes - a gesture that moved Grand Duke Henri to tears.
© Steve Müller
The Irish Guards kept playing and Grand Duke Jean's coffin was slowly carried to the forecourt in front of the cathedral at the end of the religious ceremony. A little later, the departed statesman was laid to rest in the crypt of the cathedral. Only close family members were present.
National and international guests
It was a moving ceremony, complete with traditional songs and surprising moments. After the mass, hundreds of people waited outside of the cathedral - both to pay their last respects and to see the representatives of various royal families. Belgium's King Philippe and Queen Mathilde as well as the former king Albert and his wife Paola came to the Grand Duchy. Sweden's king Carl Gustaf, Spain's king Juan Carlos and queen Sofia, England's princess Anne and prince of Monaco Albert were also all present.
Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy, Germany's former federal president Joachim Gauck and Portugal's former president Aníbal Cavaco Silva all bade farewell to Grand Duke Jean.
The days prior to the ceremony had proven how popular the former Grand Duke had been both in Luxembourg and abroad. Thousands of people came to the palace to pay their final respects.
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Note: not in English.
