by Scott Mehl © Unofficial Royalty 2013
“I feel I have reached the age to retire, and I think that Jean is the age to take over.
After all, I am 68 now.”
– Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg
On November 12, 1964, in the presence of her family and members of the government, Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg signed the declaration of abdication after a reign that lasted nearly 46 years. Her eldest son Jean became the new reigning Grand Duke of Luxembourg. Nearly 36 years, Jean himself would abdicate in favor of his eldest son Grand Duke Henri. (You can read more about that here)
Charlotte was never expected to become Grand Duchess. She was the second of six daughters of Grand Duke Guillaume IV and his wife, Infanta Marie Anne of Portugal. At the time, only male descendants could succeed to the throne. However, having only daughters, Grand Duke Guillaume IV made a change to the house laws allowing his daughters to succeed him should there be no male heir. Upon his death in 1912, his eldest daughter, Marie-Adelaide, became Grand Duchess of Luxembourg. This change applied only to the daughters of Guillaume. It would not be until 2011 that Luxembourg adopted absolute primogeniture, allowing all children, in order of birth, to succeed to the throne.
Marie-Adelaide’s reign lasted only until 1919. During World War I, she was perceived as being too “friendly” with the Germans who had occupied Luxembourg. While remaining with her constitutional role, her actions, or perceived actions, led to many in the government to call for her abdication. Ceding to this pressure, she abdicated on January 14, 1919, and her younger sister Charlotte became the new Grand Duchess.
Charlotte’s reign saw her become a much-loved leader in the country and a voice of strength and unity during World War II. When the Germans occupied Luxembourg, Charlotte, having learned from her sister’s experience during the First World War, chose not to remain in the country and with her family, fled the country. She established her government-in-exile in London where she continued to give radio broadcasts to the people of Luxembourg. She and her family returned in 1945, where she worked effortlessly to rebuild and restore Luxembourg and propel the small Grand Duchy onto the world’s stage.
After nearly 20 more years, Charlotte decided that it was time to pass the torch to her son Jean. While remaining the head of state, in 1961 Charlotte handed over much of her constitutional duties to Jean, who served as Lieutenant Representative. Finally, in 1964, she formally abdicated in his favor.
Following the brief ceremony at the Grand-Ducal Palace, at which Charlotte signed the declaration of abdication, her son Jean was formally enthroned at a ceremony in the Hall of the Chamber of Deputies, where he swore allegiance to the Constitution of Luxembourg. A Te Deum was then held at the Cathedral Notre Dame de Luxembourg, and the family appeared several times on the balcony of the Grand-Ducal Palace.
Grand Duchess Charlotte passed away at her home, Fischbach Castle, in July 1985. She was 89.
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