*Co-author: Amy Kelly*
Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg had reigned for 45 years when she abdicated in favour of her eldest son, Jean.
She had taken over from her eldest sister, Marie-Adélaïde, who had been forced to abdicate as she had been perceived as being too friendly to the Germans during the Second World War. On 15 January 1919 at 4 p.m., Charlotte was sworn in as the ruler of Luxembourg. Marie-Adélaïde could only ask her sister’s forgiveness for placing such a heavy burden on her.
Charlotte faced many more challenges over the years. As time went by, she raised Luxembourg up in the public eye, from a little-known country to a global player. She hosted everyone from Charles de Gaulle to Eleanor Roosevelt and focused on public activity and royal visits, which boosted the popularity of the monarchy. Under Charlotte’s rule, the monarchy was saved, Luxembourg was liberated from German occupation, universal suffrage was rolled out, new labour laws and housing schemes were passed, and the often-violated status of neutrality was dropped. For a young girl, never destined to rule, Charlotte achieved a considerable amount and can be remembered as a great ruler.
Charlotte’s reign continued until 1964 when she abdicated in favour of her son Jean. She had prepared her son for his role throughout his life and gave over much of her power to him in 1960. This transition from Charlotte’s reign to Jean’s made for a smooth succession.
The New York Times reported, “The simple ceremony, an ancient ritual, took place in the sprawling medieval castle that serves both as the Grand Ducal Palace and as the seat of the Luxembourg parliament. The transfer of sovereignty took little more than an hour.
“At 10 a.m., the 68-year-old Grand Duchess entered the palace’s Salle des Fêtes, accompanied by members of the royal family, Government dignitaries and court attendants.
“She wore a diamond-studded crown and a full-length jacket. Slim and graceful, the Grand Duchess smiled with dignity. ‘We, Charlotte,’ she said, ‘by the grace of God, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg and Duchess of Nassau, proclaim that we are renouncing the crown of Luxembourg in favour of our beloved son, the Crown Prince Jean.’
“With these words, the Grand Duchess ended a 45-year reign that began when she was chosen by popular plebiscite to succeed her elder sister, Marie Adelaide, to reign over this country of 999 square miles at the juncture of France, Belgium and Germany. “1
Charlotte said goodbye to the members of her government as the attention switched to the parliamentary assembly hall, where the new Grand Duke listened as the Parliamentary President read the oath of office. He was then asked, “Do you swear to uphold the Constitution?” Grand Duke Jean raised his right arm and replied, “I do so swear, and may God assist me.”
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