Overview

• Grand Duke Henri is scheduled to abdicate at 10:00 on October 3 at the Grand Ducal Palace, followed by Guillaume’s oath an hour later in the Chamber of Deputies.
• The program includes a balcony appearance after the swearing-in, receptions, a gala dinner, a national tour on Saturday, a large concert at Glacis, and a church service on Sunday.
• Attendees expected at the festivities include the Dutch and Belgian royal families, Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, France’s President Emmanuel Macron, and EU leaders António Costa and Roberta Metsola.
• The handover follows a year-long transition in which Guillaume served as his father’s lieutenant-representative, after Henri signaled his intent to step down in his 2024 Christmas address.
• Five-year-old Prince Charles becomes heir apparent, widely described as the world’s youngest current heir; under the constitution a minor cannot exercise sovereign duties, and reporting indicates Prince Félix would serve as regent if ever required.