Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg stands on the threshold of a new chapter in her life as her husband, Grand Duke Henri, prepares to abdicate. In a candid interview with journalists, she shared her thoughts on the upcoming changes. The Duchess confirmed that, until October 3—the day of the official ceremony at the Palace—she will continue to fulfill her duties. After that, the couple will step aside, making way for their heirs. In her words, there cannot be two reigning couples at the same time, and she and her husband fully understand this.
This decision was not spontaneous. The couple had been considering it for about three years, weighing all the pros and cons. They came to a shared conviction that it is important to step aside at the right time and hand over the reins to the younger generation. Thoughts about their son, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume, played a special role in this. At 44, their son is, in their view, at the ideal age to assume full responsibility. Maria Teresa believes it would be wrong to make him wait any longer, as no one is irreplaceable.
The transfer of power is taking place in close cooperation with her son and his wife, the hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie, with whom Maria Teresa has formed a warm relationship. The family spends a lot of time together, striving to pass on all the experience accumulated over the decades. The schedule remains incredibly busy until the abdication. Looking back on 44 years of marriage, the duchess admits how challenging it has been to constantly be under the public eye. Coming from an ordinary family, she found it especially difficult to cope with the pressure of the press and public opinion. She recalls her mother’s advice—to always remain true to herself—and believes she has managed to preserve her individuality.
She has made her own way to the role of the country’s first lady, observing closely and visiting various organizations and hospitals. Empathy and a need for genuine human contact became her guiding lights. She always felt that her calling was to help and to serve. Speaking about age, the duchess notes that she is not afraid of it at all and feels happier today than she did 25 years ago. She sees maturity as a blessing that allows for greater self-understanding and acceptance. Her husband, who knows her better than anyone, is convinced of her special sensitivity.
It is this deep mutual understanding that forms the foundation of their union. According to Maria Teresa, she and her husband are so in tune with each other that sometimes words are unnecessary—just a single glance is enough. Their offices in the Palace are located next to each other, and the door between them is almost always open, making it easy to communicate. Despite their different personalities, they complement each other perfectly. At the end of the conversation, the duchess speaks with particular warmth about her husband. His boundless love and support gave her the strength to keep moving forward, ignoring criticism. She states without hesitation that without him, she might not have managed to overcome all the challenges. He is the man of her life—now more than ever. She sees how her husband moves toward his new, free life after abdication with joy and ease, and this fills her with happiness.
