"Neuschawnstein North": Jean Louis Schlim in his Munich flat, still featuring its original interior. / © Collection: Jean Louis Schlim
Decades after leaving Luxembourg for Munich, author Jean Louis Schlim speaks to RTL about his Luxembourgish identity and enduring loyalty to the Grand Ducal family.
"Once a Luxembourger, always a Luxembourger", laughs Jean Louis Schlim in a video interview.
Born in Luxembourg City in 1952, he has lived in Munich since 1977 but never lost his Luxembourgish accent – or his connection to home, remaining active for many years in the Association of Luxembourgers in Munich.
'Neuschwanstein North'
Alongside his love for Luxembourg and its people, another constant runs through Jean Louis Schlim’s life – his affection for the Grand Ducal family and his fascination with European royalty. He holds a special admiration for Bavaria’s Kini, the fairytale king Ludwig II, and a glance at his private photo collection reveals more than a passing resemblance.
Schlim’s passion for Ludwig II and other aristocratic figures also shaped the interior of his Munich home. Friends and acquaintances who visited his fourth-floor flat on Sendlinger Street in the heart of the city would jokingly call it “Neuschwanstein North”, he says with a smile. In the video call, however, the backdrop looks bare, as he is in the midst of moving – leaving the bustle of the city centre for a building with a park and fewer stairs.
"Most certainly" he replied proudly when asked if he was following the accession to the throne. He adds that it was fascinating to see how many people attended, especially young people: “That is a good sign for the future of our dynasty.”
Emotionally, he experienced the accession as a “turning point”:
“I already witnessed the transition from Grand Duchess Charlotte to Grand Duke Jean, then from Grand Duke Jean to Grand Duke Henri. And now from Grand Duke Henri to Grand Duke Guillaume.” Moments like this, he says, make you realise that you yourself have grown older: “We’ve all practically retired now even the royals. And a new era is beginning for Luxembourg, and in a way, also for me.”
With this, he hints his upcoming house move is not entirely voluntary, but he chooses to see it in a positive light: “The world is changing completely, and I think that such a transition at the head of the country is perhaps not a bad thing either.”
'Shooting yourself in the foot'
Despite his outsider perspective, Jean Louis Schlim is not surprised that the topic of funding came up in the context of the accession to the throne: even in Bavaria, the cost was openly discussed, so for him, “it is absolutely normal and logical” that this would also be a topic in Luxembourg.
But Schlim immediately adds: “On the other hand, I would say, dear Luxembourgers, how much would it cost you to have a president who changes every four years and whose family still has to be maintained afterward? There are studies that show that a monarchy ultimately remains cheaper than a constant presidential turnover.”
A clear statement of support.
Books on Ludwig II: a selection of Jean Louis Schlim’s publications about the Bavarian fairytale king.
The question of the legitimacy of a monarchy in the 21st century doesn’t really trouble the author of several books on, among others, Ludwig II: “I think it’s good when a monarchy is at the head of a country. […] There is always something there, no matter what happens; it’s something to look at, something to rely on.” According to him, this is human nature.
Jean Louis Schlim’s conclusion is clear: “I think it’s actually a very good thing for Luxembourg that we have a monarchy. I would not abolish it under any circumstances, because I think Luxembourg would shoot itself in the foot. We know how often Belgium and France have looked over to see if they could take over this little rich country. But I believe that as long as the monarchy exists, we are guaranteed that Luxembourg will remain what it is, just like Monaco.”
At Luxair in the VIP lounge...
Jean Louis Schlim also explains in the Sunday interview that his passion or rather fascination for dynasties, both Luxembourgish and Bavarian, stems from his upbringing with his mother, who was from the Colmar-Berg area. In a way, he practically grew up with the castle: “It was, of course, always something very mysterious.”
In his first job at Luxair, he worked in the VIP lounge, where he met several members of royal families and realised they were not distant figures but ordinary people. ‘I found them immensely likeable, especially Grand Duchess Charlotte,’ he recalls. Later, Schlim worked in the archives of TÜV Süd while building his own collections, giving lectures, designing exhibitions and organising excursions – almost everything he did was connected to history and nobility.
A little bit of both: Split between Luxembourg and Bavaria
Grand Duke Jean often met Luxembourgers living in Munich and across Bavaria. The ties between the Grand Duchy and the Freistaat Bayern are among Jean Louis Schlim’s favourite subjects – from Hohenburg Castle near Lenggries, once owned by the ruling family, to the Gasthof Post in Vorderriß, which remains in their possession today. ‘Of course, anyone can go there,’ Schlim says, immediately listing reasons why visitors to southern Bavaria should plan a detour.
From Munich back to Luxembourg, Jean Louis Schlim is convinced that the Luxembourg-Nassau family contributes greatly to the country and sees no issue with them continuing to lead it. He wishes the new Grand Duke Guillaume strength and the courage to embrace change while keeping the resolve of his father, even when that has drawn criticism in Luxembourg. ‘All the best for his reign, and above all good health to him, his wife and their children,’ he says — a wish shared by the entire Luxembourgish association in Munich.
A warm greeting from the Luxembourgish Stammdësch to the Grand Duchy. The last gathering took place on Wednesday, 8 October, at the Ratskeller. / © Luxemburger Verein München e.V.
Last Wednesday, the association met to raise a toast together. Or, in the words of the monarchist Jean Louis Schlim: “Once a Luxembourger, always a Luxembourger.”
The Luxembourgers in Munich founded a small association many years ago and still meet regularly. From time to time, they are also joined by representatives of the Luxembourgish students living in the city. / © Luxemburger Verein München e.V.
