Today marks the century of the Death of Grand Duchess Marie-Adélaïde of Luxembourg, who passed away on this day in 1924, 100 years ago. The first female Sovereign of the tiny Grand Duchy, who was forced to abdicate after the First World War and passed away tragically young shortly afterwards.
The eldest of the six daughters of Grand Duke Guillaume IV of Luxembourg and Infanta Maria Ana of Braganza, Princess Marie-Adélaïde only became the Heiress Presumptive to the Throne in 1907, having been the first sovereign born in Luxembourg since John the Blind in 1296. Her younger sisters included, Princess Charlotte, Princess Hilda, Crown Princess Antonia of Bavaria, Princess Elisabeth of Thurn and Taxis and Princess Sophie of Saxony.
In 1912, shortly before her 18th Birthday, she succeeded to the Throne of the Grand Duchy following the death of her father, ruling under the Regency of her mother, Grand Duchess Maria Ana, for a few months until her Birthday. As Sovereign, she was guided by her strong religious convictions and active interest in political and social affairs, which became a point of contention with politicians.
During the First World War, the neutral Grand Duchy of Luxembourg was occupied by German troops and after protesting against the occupation, both the government and Grand Duchess eventually capitulated, having protected all functions of the State except the military. However, the Grand Duchess was forced to receive Kaiser Wilhelm III during the war, which led to much criticism from the Allies and caused much political contention afterwards, which led to Grand Duchess Marie-Adélaïde abdicating the Throne in favour of her sister, Grand Duchess Charlotte. The former Grand Duchess entered a convent in Modena and later joined the Little Sisters of the Poor in Rome, but ill health led her to the family’s summer home, Schloss Hohenburg, in Bavaria, where she passed away of influenza shortly before her 30th Birthday.
