Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg Paves Way for His Abdication with Surprise Announcement

Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg's plans to abdicate are already in motion.

In a surprise announcement on Luxembourg's National Day on June 23, Grand Duke Henri, 69, revealed that his son Prince Guillaume, 42, will take over official governing duties in October.

"I would like to inform you that I have decided to appoint Prince Guillaume as Lieutenant-Representative in October," Henri said, per a translation. "It is with all my love and confidence that I wish him the best of luck."

Grand Duke Henri will remain head of state, but the announcement is the first step toward his official abdication. Prince Guillaume will take an oath before taking on the role, which is similar to being prince regent.

While some monarchs reign until their deaths, voluntary abdication has become a pattern in Luxembourg. Henri governed as "Lieutenant-Représentant du Grand-Duc" for two years before he acceded his father, Grand Duke Jean, in October 2000.

Similarly, Grand Duke Jean inherited the throne when his mother, Grand Duchess Charlotte, abdicated in 1964, and she stepped up into the royal role when her elder sister, Grand Duchess Marie-Adelaide, abdicated in 1919.

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Grand Duke Henri shared his plans to "retire" in an interview with La Libre earlier this year.

"All this is planned in family consultation. I find that it is very important to give young people a perspective," the royal told the French outlet in an interview published on April 16, his 69th birthday.

"There are plans, it will happen," he continued.

When La Libre asked Grand Duke Henri if he had chosen a date for his abdication, he replied, "Yes, but I won’t tell you that!"

“I am a happy man. But I could not choose my destiny,” Grand Duke Henri said.

Queen Margrethe of Denmark made history with her own abdication earlier this year. Although the royal previously said she would rule for her entire life and the last Danish monarch's abdication was in 1146, she made the shocking announcement in her annual New Year's speech.

The former Queen, 84, cited health concerns as a reason for her decision.

"In February this year, I underwent extensive back surgery. Everything went well, thanks to the competent health personnel, who took care of me. Inevitably, the operation gave cause to thoughts about the future – whether now would be an appropriate time to pass on the responsibility to the next generation," she said, per an English translation of the official speech transcription. "I have decided that now is the right time. On 14 January 2024, 52 years after I succeeded my beloved father, I will step down as Queen of Denmark. I leave the throne to my son Crown Prince Frederik."

On Jan. 14, the 52nd anniversary of her accession to the throne due to the death of her father, King Frederik IX, Queen Margrethe signed a declaration of her abdication, officially making her eldest son King Frederik X.

Unlike the British and some other royal houses around the world, King Frederik and Queen Mary were not crowned in a coronation service. Instead, the country's prime minister proclaimed Frederik as King on the balcony of Christiansborg Castle shortly after the declaration was signed. After the proclamation and a short speech by King Frederik, he was joined by his wife and their four children on the balcony to wave to the crowds.