Grand Duke Guillaume has defined his role as a "unifier" for Luxembourg, while he and Grand Duchess Stéphanie outlined their dual commitment to public duty and private family life in their first joint interview as the country's new sovereigns.
In their first interview as Luxembourg's new Grand Ducal couple, Grand Duke Guillaume and Grand Duchess Stéphanie have outlined their vision for their roles, emphasising unity and connection with the people.
The interview, conducted by RTL ahead of Friday's historic abdication and swearing-in, explored how the new Grand Ducal couple perceives their duties, the advice they received, and the implications for their family.
Grand Duke Guillaume acknowledged that while a lifetime of preparation led to this moment, the reality of becoming head of state feels "very special" and carries a significant weight of responsibility. He defined his role as that of a unifier for the nation's diverse communities.
"We live in a fantastic society," the Grand Duke stated, expressing his belief that the monarchy can "build a bridge" within the country. "I will, of course, do this together with the politicians, and I look forward to this mission," he added.
He further emphasised that his greatest wish is to build bridges between people, a task he will approach with his own personal style and a focus on direct engagement. He assured that he will "always have a sympathetic ear" for the citizens he meets.
When asked about the monarchy's legitimacy, particularly in the context of a recent Politmonitor survey where 69% of respondents supported the parliamentary monarchy, Grand Duke Guillaume grounded his response in the will of the people and the constitution.
"I believe legitimacy truly comes from the people," he said, noting that Luxembourg's form of government was formally enshrined in the new constitution of 2023. "My role will genuinely be to continue to represent the country of Luxembourg with dignity, both at home and abroad," the head of state said.
Grand Duchess Stéphanie, reflecting on her Belgian upbringing, highlighted the continuity offered by a monarchy as one of its key strengths. She recalled the profound impact of King Baudouin's death when she was a child, notably the surprise she felt because in her mind at the time "a king can't possibly die." She elaborated on this feeling, stating about Kind Baudouin: "To me, he wasn't a person; he was a king." But then King Albert ascended to the throne "and in my subconscious childhood mind, everything was all right again," the Grand Duchess recalled. This continuity, she explained, "is the great advantage of a monarchy."
The Grand Duchess confirmed she will continue her social engagements, focusing particularly on supporting isolated individuals and vulnerable children. "Unfortunately, even in Luxembourg, there are many children who suffer, are abused, or are bullied," she stated, stressing, "I really want to support the people who work in this area as much as possible." Alongside these duties, she plans to continue her advocacy for the arts, which remains a personal passion.
The couple also revealed the advice they received ahead of their new roles. Grand Duke Guillaume cited the words of his parents, Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa: "When you step into this role, stay true to yourself and never change." He described this as "the best advice they could have given me."
Regarding their young sons, Princes Charles and François, the couple acknowledged the challenge of balancing public duty with private life. They noted that while the children may sense a change, they are too young to grasp its full significance.
"Our real challenge will be to shield them, not to expose them too much, so that they can still have a normal childhood," Grand Duke Guillaume explained. "But of course, when there are big moments for the country [...] they will naturally stand by our side," the head of state said.
Grand Duchess Stéphanie summed up this balance by drawing a clear distinction between her public and private roles: "In public, I am 100% Grand Duchess. At home, however, I am 100% a mother, and there, we are a family."
A brief section of the interview was conducted in English, with the Grand Ducal couple expressing their views on multiculturalism in Luxembourg.
