2 Euro BU

Henri was born in 1955 as the eldest son of the then Hereditary Grand Duke Jean and the Belgian Princess Joséphine-Charlotte. When his father became Grand Duke in 1964, Henri became heir to the throne. Following Jean’s voluntary abdication, Henri took the constitutional oath before the Chamber of Deputies (Abgeordnetenkammer) on 7 October 2000. There is no coronation ceremony in Luxembourg.

Luxembourg is a parliamentary monarchy. The Grand Duke is the head of state, but exercises his functions within the framework of the Constitution and the parliamentary system. His functions include appointing the government on the basis of the political majority, formally promulgating laws, and representing the country on state visits and at diplomatic events. During Henri’s reign, the powers of the head of state were further specified. Following a dispute over the euthanasia law, the Constitution was amended in 2008: since then, the Grand Duke has promulgated laws but no longer has to expressly give his consent to them.

The Grand Ducal Palace in Luxembourg City’s Old Town serves as the official residence. Its oldest parts were built in the 16th century, originally as a town hall. Over time, the complex was expanded several times and used by various state institutions. Since the end of the 19th century, it has been reserved for the head of state. Among other events, audiences, receptions and parts of official state visits take place there. The Grand Ducal family, by contrast, resides mainly at Berg Castle (Schloss Berg).

The anniversary also coincided with the next transition of the throne. In October 2024, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume had already assumed some of his father’s constitutional duties as his representative. Henri subsequently announced his abdication for October 2025. The coin thus commemorates not only a specified period of rule, but also the end of his reign and the transition to the next generation of the House of Nassau.