Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg has Died

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It has just been announced that Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg, the father of Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg and the uncle of King Philippe of Belgium has died aged 98. The state of his health had declined considerably for the past two day, the Grand Ducal Court had announced, after he was hospitalised following a pulmonary infection last week and his health had initially improved. The whole Grand Ducal Family was at his bedside. This is breaking news, and this page will be updated as soon as any other information will be available. Grand Duke Henri said:

It is with great sadness that I inform you of the death of my beloved father, His Royal Highness Grand Duke Jean, who has passed away in peace, surrounded by the affection of his family.

UPDATE- The State Funeral of Grand Duke Jean will take place on May 4th at the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Luxembourg! Royal attendees from around the world are expected.

Born the eldest son of Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg and Prince Felix of Bourbon Parma, and grew up in Luxembourg, but was educated in Quebec, Canada while in exile from occupied Luxembourg during WWII. Afterwards, the then Hereditary Grand Duke Jean joined the Irish Guards in 1942, and took part in the liberation of Luxembourg. From 1984 to his abdication in 2000, he served as Colonel of the Regiment of the Irish Guards, often riding behind Queen Elizabeth II during the Trooping the Colour. In 1953, he married Princess Josephine Charlotte of Belgium, becoming a brother-in-law of King Baudouin and King Albert II, with whom he had five children, including Grand Duke Henri. Grand Duchess Charlotte abdicated in 1964, and he became the Grand Duke of Luxembourg from 1964 to 2000, when he abdicated in favour of his son, Henri. Grand Duke Jean still attended royal events in his 90s, though recently had been suffering from bad health. He was last seen at an event to support the Grand Duchess last month.

My Condolences to the Grand Ducal Family on this loss!

 

One thought on “Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg has Died

  1. I was so terribly sad when I read this news. I know he was very old and had been very ill, but I’m still so terribly sad. He was a decent man who cared deeply for his family and his country. In this age of tabloid scandals and excesses, where our leaders have very little moral compass, he was an example of moral rectitude and probity. He was a war hero and a gentleman in the finest interpretation of the word. My deepest condolences to his family and the people of Luxembourg. May he rest in peace.

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