Charlotte, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg
Encyclopedia
Charlotte, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg was the reigning Grand Duchess
of Luxembourg from 1919 to 1964.
and Princess Adelaide of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg.
When her older sister Marie-Adélaïde, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, who had succeeded their father, was forced to abdicate on 14 January 1919, Charlotte became the one who had to deal with the revolutionary tendencies in the country. Unlike her sister, she chose not to meddle with its politics.
In a referendum about the new constitution on 28 September 1919, 77.8% of the Luxembourgish people voted for the continuation of a Grand Ducal
monarchy with Charlotte as head of state. In this constitution, the power of the monarch was severely restricted.
During the German occupation of Luxembourg in World War II
, Charlotte, exiled in London
, became an important symbol of national unity.
, she married Prince Felix of Bourbon-Parma, a first cousin on her mother's side. (Both Charlotte and Felix were grandchildren of King Miguel of Portugal
through his daughters Maria Anna and Maria Antonia, respectively). With the marriage, their lineal descent was raised in style from Grand Ducal Highness
to Royal Highness
. The union produced six children:
, who then reigned until 2000.
Charlotte died on 9 July 1985, from cancer
. She was interred in the Ducal Crypt of the Notre-Dame Cathedral
in the city of Luxembourg.
Had she not abdicated, she would have reigned for a total of .
She was the 366th Grand Cross
of the Order of the Tower and Sword
.
Grand Duke
The title grand duke is used in Western Europe and particularly in Germanic countries for provincial sovereigns. Grand duke is of a protocolary rank below a king but higher than a sovereign duke. Grand duke is also the usual and established translation of grand prince in languages which do not...
of Luxembourg from 1919 to 1964.
Early life and life as Grand Duchess
Charlotte was the second daughter of William IV, Grand Duke of Luxembourg and his wife Infanta Marie Anne of Portugal. Her maternal grandparents were King Miguel of PortugalMiguel of Portugal
Dom Miguel I, sometimes Michael , was the King of Portugal between 1828 and 1834, the seventh child and second son of King John VI and his queen, Charlotte of Spain....
and Princess Adelaide of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg.
When her older sister Marie-Adélaïde, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, who had succeeded their father, was forced to abdicate on 14 January 1919, Charlotte became the one who had to deal with the revolutionary tendencies in the country. Unlike her sister, she chose not to meddle with its politics.
In a referendum about the new constitution on 28 September 1919, 77.8% of the Luxembourgish people voted for the continuation of a Grand Ducal
Grand duchy
A grand duchy, sometimes referred to as a grand dukedom, is a territory whose head of state is a monarch, either a grand duke or grand duchess.Today Luxembourg is the only remaining grand duchy...
monarchy with Charlotte as head of state. In this constitution, the power of the monarch was severely restricted.
During the German occupation of Luxembourg in World War II
German occupation of Luxembourg in World War II
The German occupation of Luxembourg in World War II was the period in the history of Luxembourg after it was used as a transit territory to attack France by outflanking the Maginot Line. Plans for the attack had been prepared by 9 October 1939, but execution was postponed several times...
, Charlotte, exiled in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, became an important symbol of national unity.
Marriage and children
On 6 November 1919 in LuxembourgLuxembourg (city)
The city of Luxembourg , also known as Luxembourg City , is a commune with city status, and the capital of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. It is located at the confluence of the Alzette and Pétrusse Rivers in southern Luxembourg...
, she married Prince Felix of Bourbon-Parma, a first cousin on her mother's side. (Both Charlotte and Felix were grandchildren of King Miguel of Portugal
Miguel of Portugal
Dom Miguel I, sometimes Michael , was the King of Portugal between 1828 and 1834, the seventh child and second son of King John VI and his queen, Charlotte of Spain....
through his daughters Maria Anna and Maria Antonia, respectively). With the marriage, their lineal descent was raised in style from Grand Ducal Highness
Grand Ducal Highness
His/Her Grand Ducal Highness is a style of address used before the princely titles of the non-reigning members of some German ruling families headed by a Grand Duke. No currently reigning family employs the style, although it was used most recently by the younger sisters of the late Grand Duchess...
to Royal Highness
Royal Highness
Royal Highness is a style ; plural Royal Highnesses...
. The union produced six children:
| Name | Date of birth | Date of death | Spouses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jean, Grand Duke of Luxembourg Jean, Grand Duke of Luxembourg Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg ruled Luxembourg from 1964 to 2000. He is the father of the current ruler, Grand Duke Henri, and the son of Grand Duchess Charlotte and Prince Felix of Bourbon-Parma... |
5 January 1921 (age 91) | Princess Joséphine-Charlotte of Belgium Princess Joséphine-Charlotte of Belgium Princess Joséphine Charlotte of Belgium was Grand Duchess of Luxembourg as spouse of Jean, Grand Duke of Luxembourg... (1927–2005) |
|
| Elizabeth, Duchess of Hohenberg | 22 December 1922 | Franz, Duke of Hohenberg Franz, Duke of Hohenberg Franz Ferdinand, Duke of Hohenberg . He was the eldest son of Maximilian, Duke of Hohenberg and Countess Maria of Waldburg at Wolfegg and Waldsee... (1927–1977) |
|
| Marie Adalaide, Countess Henckel von Donnersmarck Princess Marie Adelaide of Luxembourg Princess Marie-Adélaïde of Luxembourg was a Luxembourgian princess, the third child and the second daughter of Grand Duchess Charlotte and Felix of Bourbon-Parma .... |
21 May 1924 | Karl Josef Graf Henckel von Donnersmarck (1928–2008) | |
| Marie Gabriele, Countess of Holstein-Ledreborg Princess Marie Gabriele of Luxembourg Marie Gabrielle Aldegunde Wilhelmine Louise , is a Luxembourgian princess, a daughter of Grand Duchess Charlotte and Prince Felix of Bourbon-Parma.... |
2 August 1925 (age 86) | Knud, Count of Holstein-Ledreborg (1919–2001) | |
| Charles, Prince of Luxembourg Prince Charles of Luxembourg Charles Frédéric Louis Guillaume Marie , was a Luxembourgian prince, a son of Grand Duchess Charlotte and Felix of Bourbon-Parma.... |
7 August 1927 | Joan Douglas Dillon (1935-) | |
| Alix, Princess of Ligne Alix, Princess of Ligne Alix Marie Anne Antoinette Charlotte Gabrielle, Dowager Princess of Ligne, Princess of Luxembourg, Princess of Nassau, Princess of Bourbon-Parma is the daughter of Charlotte, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg and Felix of Bourbon-Parma-Marriage and issue:On 17 August 1950 in Luxembourg Princess Alix... |
24 August 1929 (age 82) | Antoine, 13th Prince of Ligne Antoine, 13th Prince of Ligne Antoine Maria Joachim Lamoral, Prince of Ligne, Prince of Épinoy, Prince of Amblise, Grandee of Spain was born on 8 March 1925 in Brussels, Belgium. He was the son of Eugène, 11th Prince of Ligne and Philippine de Noailles... (1925–2005) |
|
Abdication and death
On 12 November 1964, she abdicated in favour of her son, Prince JeanJean, Grand Duke of Luxembourg
Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg ruled Luxembourg from 1964 to 2000. He is the father of the current ruler, Grand Duke Henri, and the son of Grand Duchess Charlotte and Prince Felix of Bourbon-Parma...
, who then reigned until 2000.
Charlotte died on 9 July 1985, from cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
. She was interred in the Ducal Crypt of the Notre-Dame Cathedral
Notre-Dame Cathedral, Luxembourg
Notre-Dame Cathedral is the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Luxembourg City, in southern Luxembourg. It was originally a Jesuit church, and its cornerstone was laid in 1613....
in the city of Luxembourg.
Had she not abdicated, she would have reigned for a total of .
She was the 366th Grand Cross
Grand Cross
The phrase Grand Cross is used to denote the highest grade in many orders of knighthood. Sometimes the holders of the highest grade are referred to "knights grand cross" or just "grand crosses"; in other cases the actual insignia itself is called "the grand cross".Alternatively, in some other...
of the Order of the Tower and Sword
Order of the Tower and Sword
The Military Order of the Tower and of the Sword, of Valour, Loyalty and Merit is a Portuguese order of knighthood and the pinnacle of the Portuguese honours system. It was created by King Afonso V in 1459....
.
Titles and styles
- 23 January 1896 – 14 January 1919: Her Grand Ducal Highness Princess Charlotte of Nassau-Weilburg
- 14 January 1919 – 12 November 1964: Her Royal Highness The Grand Duchess of Luxembourg
- 12 November 1964 – 9 July 1985: Her Royal Highness Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg, Princess of Nassau-Weilburg, Princess de Bourbon-Parma