Luxembourg Welcomes a New Grand Duke

On October 3, 2025, Grand Duke Henri officially abdicated the throne in favor of his son, Guillaume V, who became the Grand Duke of Luxembourg at the age of 43. Abdication is a long-standing tradition in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, practiced by the previous three sovereigns. This act symbolizes the peaceful transfer of responsibility from one generation to the next, a hallmark of the country’s stability and commitment to thoughtful governance.

In his first address as Grand Duke, Guillaume V emphasized that while the monarchy is rooted in tradition, his main objective will be to build bridges between tradition and innovation. He also expressed his commitment to strengthening social cohesion and highlighted Luxembourg’s leading role in Europe’s innovation-driven industries, including financial services.

“Looking to the future, it is our shared values, our creativity and our solidarity that shall carry us forward together,” the Grand Duke said.

His message of unity and progress resonated far beyond Luxembourg’s borders. President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to the new Grand Duke, highlighting the strong ties the two nations have maintained over the past 50 years, a relationship that serves as a model of mutual success. The Zhengzhou–Luxembourg “Air Silk Road,” launched in 2017, was cited as a flagship example of this cooperation, strengthening logistics and economic links between Europe and China. According to President Xi, the project has yielded fruitful results, ensuring the stable and smooth flow of the China–Europe industrial chain.