In the autumn of 1994, specifically on September 24, the surroundings of the Palace of Versailles witnessed a truly royal event. On this day, Sibilla Weiller, great-granddaughter of Spanish monarch Alfonso XIII, and Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg, brother of the reigning Grand Duke Henri, were united in marriage. This wedding was more than just the union of two hearts; it became a real gathering of European aristocracy, bringing together fifteen hundred distinguished guests under the vaults of the Cathedral of Saint Louis.
It was hard to imagine such a concentration of blue blood in one place. The ceremony was attended by five reigning queens, including Spainβs Queen Sofia, nine crown princes and princesses, the monarchs of Belgium and Norway, the princes of Liechtenstein, and even representatives of the Moroccan throne. The Spanish delegation was particularly impressive: alongside Queen Sofia, six infantas arrived for the celebration. It was one of those rare occasions when the future of several European monarchies could be seen in a single photograph.
The bride, Sibylle, appeared before the guests in a dazzling Valentino gown. The designer created a dress featuring an exquisite lace bodice and a voluminous skirt made of silk and white muslin, adorned with a dramatic flounce. The look was completed with an embroidered veil styled by the renowned stylist Alexander. Notably, Sibylle wore only her wedding and engagement rings as jewelry. She carried a bouquet of roses and ivy, inspired by Princess Dianaβs bridal bouquet. An interesting fact: the newlyweds were distantly related, sharing common ancestors in the Spanish king Charles IV.
The celebrations began the day before with a cocktail party at the Jacquemart-AndrΓ© Museum in Paris. The main festivities, following a two-hour wedding ceremony, moved to the Le Noviciat villaβthe brideβs family residence located on the edge of the Versailles gardens. In the evening, a grand dinner was held, with guest tables decorated in faux marble painting, while a gypsy orchestra set the mood and dancing continued late into the night.
Sybilla, born in France and raised in Geneva, received an outstanding education. She graduated from the Γcole du Louvre in Paris with a degree in Art History and even took part in restoration work at Versailles. Fluent in five languages, she currently chairs the committee of the Peggy Guggenheim Museum in Venice. The couple’s life has not always been smooth: in 2000, Prince Guillaume was involved in a serious car accident, which led his brother to postpone his coronation. Fortunately, the prince made a full recovery.
Today, the couple resides in Luxembourg and raises four children, all of whom are in the line of succession to the Grand Duchy’s throne. They remain prominent figures on the European royal scene, regularly attending weddings and official events. Sybilla often appears in public in elegant outfits complemented by family jewels inherited from her great-grandmother, Queen Victoria Eugenie, including the famous aquamarine tiara.
