The Grand Duke of Luxembourg is the sovereign monarch and head of state of Luxembourg. Luxembourg has been a grand duchy since 15 March 1815, when it was elevated from a duchy when placed in personal union with the United Kingdom of the Netherlands. Since then, there have been nine Grand Dukes, including the current incumbent, Henri I.
Grand Duke of Luxembourg | |
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File:Coat of arms Grand Duchy of Luxembourg large.png | |
Incumbent | |
File:Henri of Luxembourg handshake.png | |
Henri | |
Details | |
Style | His Royal Highness |
Heir apparent | Guillaume, Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg |
First monarch | William I of the Netherlands |
Formation | 15 March 1815 |
Constitutional role
The Luxembourgian constitution defines the Grand Duke's position:
The Grand Duke is the head of state, symbol of its unity, and guarantor of national independence. He exercises executive power in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of the country.[1]
Succession
Succession to the throne is inherited by Salic law, as dictated by the Nassau Family Pact, first adopted on 30 June 1783.[1] The crown is passed by agnatic-cognatic primogeniture within the House of Nassau, as stipulated under the 1815 Final Act of the Congress of Vienna and as confirmed by the 1867 Treaty of London.[1] The Nassau Family Pact itself can be amended by the usual legislative process, having been so on 10 July 1907 to exclude the Count of Merenberg branch of the House, which was descended from a morganatic marriage.[2]
If there is an heir apparent (which must necessarily be a son of the Grand Duke), he may be granted the style 'Hereditary Grand Duke'. The current heir is Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume.
List of Grand Dukes
Since 1815, there have been seven Grand Dukes of Luxembourg and two Grand Duchesses regnant of Luxembourg:
- William I (1815 – 1840)
- William II (1840 – 1849)
- William III (1840 – 1890)
- Adolphe (1890 – 1905)
- William IV (1905 – 1912)
- Marie-Adélaïde (1912 – 1919)
- Charlotte (1919 – 1964)
- Jean (1964 – 2000)
- Henri (2000 – present)
See also
Footnotes
- ^ a b c Template:Fr icon "Constitution de Luxembourg" (PDF). Service central de législation. Retrieved 2007-07-01.
- ^ Template:Fr icon/Template:De icon "Mémorial A, 1907, No. 37" (PDF). Service central de législation. Retrieved 2008-01-14.
References
- Template:Fr icon "Constitution de Luxembourg" (PDF). Service central de législation. Retrieved 2008-01-14.