Grand Duke Henri

Henri married Cuban-born Maria Teresa Mestre on February 14, 1981. She became the first Grand Duchess of Luxembourg born outside Europe, and her charitable work has been a hallmark of her role.

Grand Duke Henri became the Grand Duke of Luxembourg on October 7, 2000, following the abdication of his father, Grand Duke Jean. His accession marked a new generation of leadership in the Grand Duchy.

As Grand Duke, Henri has represented Luxembourg in European Union affairs, hosting EU summits and promoting European integration. Luxembourg's role as a founding member of the EU has been a key part of his reign.

Henri's father, Grand Duke Jean, abdicated in his favor on October 7, 2000. This was the first abdication in Luxembourg's modern history and set a precedent for peaceful transitions of power.

In 2008, Grand Duke Henri refused to sign a law legalizing euthanasia, citing personal moral objections. This triggered a constitutional crisis, leading to a constitutional amendment that removed the monarch's power to veto legislation.