Marché-Aux-Herbes in the City filled once again as deputies left the Chamber in a procession that lead into the Palace. But even as the number of flower wreaths and bouquets grew and people started to gather behind the barriers, not a sound was heard across the square. Deputies’ faces revealed the sorrow with which they paid their final respects.

Mars Di Bartolomeo and Henri Kox, both Chamber vice presidents, each conveyed the thoughts and feelings they experienced throughout this experience.

According to Mars Di Bartolomeo, the death of the former head of state signified a kind of break: Grand Duke Jean had always been there, and he could even remember the time the Duke’s mother lead the nation. It was almost like losing a parent; the Grand Duke had been very dear to him, said Di Bartolomeo.

Henri Kox noted how every death always represented loss. According to Kox, the press and media coverage proved once again that the Grand Duke was a great man and politician, and the loss was emotional. He noted that it  felt strange to bow down before the coffin, and that he felt a tremendous level of respect for the Duke.

Video in Luxembourgish:

After the Deputies, it was the turn of government employees to proceed before the Duke’s coffin, amongst them the president of the city council, the general prosecutor, the state mayoral council and ambassadors living in Luxembourg.

© Claudia Kollwelter/RTL

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The public has 5 days to bid their final farewells to and sign a condolence book for the Grand Duke. Cameras and other recording devices are not allowed, in part because it is an open casket funeral. The specific times and dates are as follow:

Monday afternoon from 2pm to 9pm
Tuesday morning from 10am to 12pm, and afternoon from 2pm to 9pm
Wednesday from 10am to 9pm
Thursday morning from 10am to 12pm, and afternoon from 2pm to 9pm
Friday morning from 10am to 12m, and afternoon from 2pm to 4pm

Personal notes can be written in condolence books located at the Palace, and the Colmar-Berg and Fischbach Castles.

Click here to sign the online condolence book at RTL.lu.

Grand-Duc Jean 1921-2019: Iwwerbléck iwwer eis News, Videoen, Fotoen.