Christophe Hochard of RTL hit the streets of Luxembourg City to discover which shops are getting into the coronation spirit.
In ten days, the nation will celebrate the ascension of the new Grand Duke, and many Luxembourg shops have spared no expense in embracing the coronation fever. RTL’s Christophe Hochard toured the capital to see what coronation-themed merchandise is gracing shop windows.
First stop was the area around the Grand Ducal Palace, where he started with traditional bookstore Ernster. The bookshop has a vast array of items relating to the throne ascension, including a puzzle, a colouring book, china cups bearing the future Grand Duke Guillaume and Grand Duchess Stéphanie's likenesses, as well as water bottles emblazoned with the coronation emblem.
A few hundred metres away, Hochard discovered another shop on Rue de l'Eau selling all kinds of gadgets celebrating the coronation. The shop, "House of Luxembourg", which sells Luxembourg-inspired merchandise, has dedicated an entire corner to the event. Among the items on sale are beer glasses from a well-known Luxembourgish brewery, as well as tea towels with the Grand Ducal arms and colours. Shoppers can find scented candles to give their homes a royal touch, a selection of gin bottles in Luxembourg’s national colours, and postcards featuring the future Grand Ducal couple.
On Rue du Fossé, Hochard visited the "House of Villeroy & Boch", where the window display showed off porcelain plates depicting various members of the Grand Ducal family. As it was impossible to get a good photo from outside, he stepped inside the shop to view and photograph its coronation display.
On display are numerous plates with images of historical royal figures, such as Grand Duke Guillaume III. (1849-1890), Grand Duke Adolphe (1890-1905), Grand Duchess Charlotte (1919-1964), Grand Duke Jean (1964-2000), Grand Duke Henri (2000-2025) and the incumbent Grand Duc Guillaume.
Exploring the Glacis, Dudelange and elsewhere
Hochard continued along the Grand-Rue, but the capital’s main shopping street had yet to show any coronation décor. He then made his way to the Glacis car park, where three-quarters of the area was cordoned off. A large crane stood in place as workers steadily erected spacious tents, while the balustrades were adorned with signs reading "Trounwiessel," meaning "throne change". The Glacis will host a number of festivities on Saturday 4 October in honour of the coronation.
Hochard also stopped in Dudelange, where the Grand Ducal couple will visit on 4 October as part of their coronation tour. Some shops have already embraced the occasion, including an eyewear store near the town hall that has filled its windows with Luxembourg flags and photographs of the royal couple.
Brasserie Simon has released a special edition of their beer to celebrate the occasion. The collector's edition of their beer cans, bearing the coronation logo, will be served on board Luxair flights, which have also added little touches to honour the new Grand Duke.
Luxembourgish cremant has also jumped on the royal bandwagon, with Vinsmoselle and Aly Duhr releasing special editions of their bottles.
A well-known Luxembourg bus operator, Emile Weber, has also opted to join in the fun, redecorating several buses with the coronation logo.
A spokesperson for Emile Weber said: "As a traditional family business that has operated in Luxembourg for 150 years and is now one of the country's largest employers, we are delighted to be able to support the coronation festivities. As long-term supplier for the Grand Ducal Court, we have branded four buses, five mini-buses and a travel coach with the official design. The buses will be included in the usual transport network until the end of the year, and the mini-buses will be used during the coronation events. For us, these festivities reflect values which we share as a business, such as respect for traditions, pride in achievements, and the desire to remain innovative and to actively work towards the future."
