Grand Ducal Family of Luxembourg, Crown Prince Henri was sworn in as Luxembourg's new monarch October, 7 when his father, Grand Duke Jean, stepped down after 36 years at an abdication ceremony.
Henri, 45, became Luxembourg's sixth grand duke since 1890, when the modern monarchy was established. His father, 79, resigned in order to hand responsibility to his son. Henri pledged allegiance in the parliament, located next door to the grand ducal palace.
Afterward, he and his Cuban-born wife, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, strolled from the parliament, around the block - waving to spectators and shaking outstretched hands - and back to the palace, a Disneyesque building of turrets and wrought iron that rises above the city's narrow cobblestone streets.
In a proclamation, Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker's government said Henri will be ``a most worthy grand duke,'' due to his ``fine character and in-depth knowledge of his people.''
From a balcony at the palace, the new grand ducal couple, their five children and the outgoing monarch waved to hundreds of people packing the narrow Rue du Marche aux Herbes below them.
The nation of 429,000, wedged between Belgium, France and Germany, measures only 52 by 36 miles. The capital city straddles a deep, craggy ravine that was first settled in the 10th century. It is lined by 14 miles of centuries-old fortifications.
The country's national motto is 'We Want To Stay What We Are' and continuity is what the new monarch promised his overwhelmingly Roman Catholic subjects.
In his first address after taking office, he urged them to retain family values, to ensure equal rights for men and women and to not be blinded by their own prosperity that comes from relaxed banking rules that have brought hundreds of financial institutions to gleaming offices ringing the old city center.
``We have received a great deal. Yet are we giving enough in return? Are we not too selfish? Do we still notice people less fortunate than ourselves here in Luxembourg and abroad?'' he asked, speaking in Luxembourgish, which is a blend of French and German.
The Gran Duke Jean is the eldest son of The Grand Duchess Charlotte and The Prince of Luxembourg, Prince of Boubon Parma.
He was married on 9 April, 1953, to The Princess Jósephine-Charlotte of Belgium (sister of King Baudouin of Belgium). They have 5 children: Princess Marie-Astrid (17-2-1954), Crown Prince Henri (16-4-1955), Prince Jean and Princess Margaretha (15-5-1957) and Prince Guillaume (1-5-1963).
Their Royal Highnesses live at the Château de Colmar-Berg in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
The Grand Duke succeded his mother, The Grand Duchess Charlotte, who, after a reign of 45 years, abdicated in his favour on the 12 November, 1964.
Grand Duke Jean, abdicated in favor of his son Crown Prince Henri.
The Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte
The Grand Duchess was born Princess of Belgiumm, on the 11 October, 1927.
On 23 February, 1934, her father acceded to the throne of Belgium, in succession to King Albert, who died in an accident at Marcheles-Dames.
At the age of 7, the Princess lost her mother Queen Astrid, in the tragic car accident of Küssnacht in Switzerland.
The Grand Duchess has been president of the Luxembourg Red Cross since 1958. She has also given her patronage and active support to many philanthropic, benevolent, cultural and sports activities.
Grand Duchess Josephine-Charlotte of Luxembourg, the mother of Grand Duke Henri, died on 10 January 2005 after a long battle with lung cancer, the government announced.
"The death of the Grand Duchess is a great loss for the country and its people," said Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker. "With her husband, Grand Duke Jean, she always made an effort to represent Luxembourg at home and abroad with dignity," he added.
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