After the Queen Margrethe of Denmark, who made history as the first Danish monarch to voluntarily abdicate in almost 900 years, another European king is reportedly following in her footsteps
In a new interview with La Libre, Mr Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg stated that “intends to retire at some point”, but did not reveal when that might happen. The throne is set to pass to his eldest son and heir, Prince Guillaume.
“All this has been planned in family consultation. I think it’s very important to give young people a perspective”Grand Duke Henri told French Media in an interview published on April 16, his 69th birthday, according to The Daily Beast. “There are plans, it will happen”he continued – and there may already be a date.
When La Libre asked the duke if he had chosen a date for his abdication, he reportedly replied: “Yes, but I won’t tell you!”
“I am a happy person. But I couldn’t choose my destiny“, Grand Duke Henri added.
Henri acceded in October 2000 when his father, Grand Duke Jean, abdicated aged 79 after 35 years on the throne. The ruler of Luxembourg is called a grand duke or duchess, and voluntary abdication has become somewhat of an informal pattern.
Grand Duke Jean ascended the throne when his mother Grand Duchess Charlotte abdicated in 1964, and ascended to the royal role when her older sister, Grand Duchess Marie-Adelaide, abdicated in 1919.
