Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume was officially sworn in as his father's Lieutenant-Representative on Tuesday, with the signing of a Grand Ducal decree and subsequent ceremony in the Chamber of Deputies.
The first part of the official ceremony took place in the palace, where Grand Duke Henri and Prime Minister Luc Frieden signed the official document confirming Guillaume's new role. This decree will be published in the Memoriale journal.
A 'big day for our country': Luc Frieden
Prince Guillaume was named as Lieutenant-Representative at the request of the Grand Duke and with the full support of the government. PM Luc Frieden described it as a "historic moment", as the Hereditary Grand Duke will now be able to assume responsibilities from his father, although Grand Duke Henri will remain the sole head of state in Luxembourg.
A 'sign of immense trust and confidence': HDG Guillaume
Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume took the opportunity to say a few words at the palace, thanking his father for his display of trust, and expressing his gratitude to his parents for being good role models.
Today, Prince Guillaume has become Luxembourg's sixth Lieutenant-Representative, with both his father and grandfather assuming the role respectively as his predecessors. In an interview with RTL and Radio 100,7, Grand Duke Henri said he expected there would be a relatively short transition phase before the official accession.
Lieutenant-Representative takes oath in Chamber of Deputies
After the initial ceremony at the palace, Prime Minister Luc Frieden and Prince Guillaume headed to the Chamber of Deputies, where the latter became the first Lieutenant-Representative to take the oath in front of parliament. This is a new step included within the constitutional reforms, as Chamber president Claude Wiseler pointed out in his speech. He also addressed the Hereditary Grand Duke's new tasks, which are to be determined by the Grand Duke in collaboration with the government.
After taking the oath, Prince Guillaume addressed a brief speech to the assembled MPs.
An important moment for Luxembourg's institutional life
As Hereditary Grand Duke, Guillaume had been able to gain insights into the Grand Duke's responsibilities. Now, he hopes to continue to work in service to the country, at his father's side: "I am aware that today for me personally, and for my wife and our children, a new phase in our lives begins and we look to the future with confidence", he said.
The Lieutenant-Representative's duties
The new constitution offers precise regulations on the Hereditary Grand Duke's new responsibilities, but these will ultimately be decided between father and son, with countersignatures from the government.
Following the ceremony, Prince Guillaume took some time to meet with the crowd outside the Chamber of Deputies, before proceeding to a reception at the palace.
