"Light will follow this darkness"

The coronavirus pandemic may have turned the world upside down, but in the Grand Duke's annual speech, he asks the public to look for the light at the end of the tunnel. We have translated the main points from the speech below.

March 2020 saw Luxembourg's first official state of emergency declared since the Second World War - a difficult decision for the government, said the Grand Duke.

"Yes, our freedoms have been partially restricted. And this in an unprecedented way. But these measures are necessary in order to protect our fellow citizens, our loved ones and ourselves, and they are limited in time." He went on to say the Chamber of Deputies is still striving to find the right balance for the measures in place.

The Grand Duke praised the news of the vaccine and said he hoped it would signify a return to normal life, but urged patience and solidarity over the months to come.

He went on to share his condolences to the victims of the virus and their loved ones. He also said "Our thoughts are also with all those who are suffering from the symptoms of the virus, or who are still facing the after-effects. To you and to all who are sick, we wish courage. We also do not forget the elderly or vulnerable, who are often alone in their homes or in retirement or care homes."

The Grand Duke also said his thoughts were with children and young people, suffering from the consequences of the health crisis, and thanked all those in the education sector who have had to adapt to an extremely difficult situation, and continue to teach under extreme conditions.

The sanitary crisis has dramatically changed everyday life for many, and has shown how fragile human health can be - both physically and mentally. It has also underlined the necessity of a strong healthcare system.

The Grand Duke said he had conducted many conversations with staff in the healthcare sector, and it was clear they were dealing with immense pressure during this difficult situation. Doctors, nurses, and carers alike were carrying out "formidable" work, he said.

"To all those on the frontline, carrying out essential work for the good of our society, I say a big thank you for your dedication and service. Without you, we could not cope."

Grand Duke Henri went on to praise Luxembourg society for pulling together and said the solidarity shown was exactly what was required to weather the crisis.

He also spared a thought for those working in the Horeca, events and culture sectors, who have suffered under the effects of the crisis. It is not entirely clear what the future holds for these sectors, he said, with economical repercussions to be felt over the long term. Luxembourg's economy will depend on their European neighbours, and the global state of the economy generally.

"In the interest of all, it is therefore essential that we mobilise our efforts within the European Union. I had vivid testimony of this when I visited the European Commission's Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety at the Cloche d'Or in October," the Grand Duke said. He also highlighted the importance of looking beyond borders for answers, saying nationalism should be put aside in favour of multilateralism - which is of fundamental importance to the Grand Duchy.

2020 will no doubt be a year long-remembered for all. But for Grand Duke Henri, it has been a symbolic year in other ways. It marked the 20 year anniversary of his reign, and he expressed his pride and honour at serving his country and its citizens, supported by Grand Duchess Maria Teresa. He thanked the public for their good wishes and for their trust. It was also the year that the first child was born to the Hereditary Grand Ducal couple, with the birth of Prince Charles in May.

Amid the unusual end-of-year festivities, the Grand Duke said it was important to focus on what really matters - family, friends, and being there to support others.

He said:  "I would like to recall the appeal that my grandmother, Grand Duchess Charlotte, launched to the population amid much darker circumstances in 1942: “Kommt mir loossen de Kapp an dëse schwéieren Zäiten net hänken ! ” (Above all, let's not lower our heads in these difficult times!). Light will follow this darkness, as it always does."

Together with Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, Hereditary Grand Ducal couple Prince Guillaume and Princess Stéphanie, and all their children, the Grand Duke wished a heartfelt merry Christmas to all, along with best wishes for a better New Year in 2021.