Luxembourg · 100th birthday of Grand Duke Jean

Grand Duke Jean was born in 1921 as the eldest son of the future Grand Duchess Charlotte and Prince Felix of Bourbon-Parma. During the German occupation of Luxembourg in the Second World War, the grand ducal family went into exile. In 1942, Jean joined the British regiment the Irish Guards, was trained as an officer and, following the Allied landings in Normandy, took part in the advance through Western Europe. In September 1944, he returned with Allied troops to liberated Luxembourg. This wartime experience shaped his public standing and his later role as head of state.

As early as 1961, Jean assumed duties as Lieutenant-Representative on behalf of his mother. Following her abdication, he became Grand Duke in 1964. Luxembourg is a constitutional monarchy; political decisions lie with the government and parliament, while the Grand Duke primarily performs constitutional and representational functions. Jean’s reign coincided with a period of profound change. The traditional steel industry declined in importance, while Luxembourg developed into an international financial centre and a location for European institutions. At the same time, the country was involved in the development of the European Communities and later the European Union.

In 2000, Jean abdicated in favour of his eldest son Henri. In doing so, he followed the example of his mother, who had likewise handed over the throne to the next generation during her lifetime. Jean died in 2019 at the age of 98.

The milestone birthday gave Luxembourg an opportunity to commemorate Jean’s biography, his time in office and the dynastic continuity of the Grand Duchy. The joint depiction of Jean and Henri refers to the transition between two generations of the House of Nassau-Weilburg. The reference to the capital also establishes a connection between the ruling family and the state whose name designates both the country and its capital.