The uncertain future of Grand Duchess María Teresa of Luxembourg now that her son is ascending to the throne

July 2, 2024

Although it was news that was already foreseeable, when it was published that neither Harald of Norway nor Charles of England would be the next monarchs to abdicate, Luxembourg is still shaken by the announcement of Grand Duke Henry's plans to leave the throne.

After 24 years in this distinguished position, it will now be his son, Prince William, who assumes the Crown at the end of the year. A decision that also affects his wife, Grand Duchess María Teresa, who has become a controversial figure in the court in recent years.

The 69-year-old monarch announced his abdication on Luxembourg's National Day, an annual event that brings together members of the reigning family, members of Government, and parliamentarians to celebrate the Grand Duke's official birthday. "I would like to inform you that I have decided to transfer the Grand Dukedom to Prince William next October. With all my affection and confidence, I wish him the best of luck," said an emotional Henry, before kissing his son while the room applauded.

This change means that Grand Dukes Henry and María Teresa will retain their official titles, but will be represented on the throne by their son. The complete transition of the Grand Duchy will probably take several years to occur. "This is the beginning of a new chapter for our monarchy," declared Luxembourg's Prime Minister, Luc Frieden, to the press. Although this decision has surprised public opinion, Frieden stated that it had been deliberated behind closed doors for some time. "I believe that on the national holiday was the right moment, because the Grand Duke is the symbol of our nation," he declared.

Henry is the eldest of the five children of Grand Duke John and Grand Duchess Josephine Charlotte, and ascended to the throne in 2000, following his father's abdication after 36 years of reign. He is married to María Teresa Mestre, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, and they have five children together: his heir William, Princess Alexandra, Prince Louis, Prince Félix, and Prince Sébastien.

The woman who never had the approval of her mother-in-law due to her status as a commoner has ended up proving her detractors right and has become more of a problem than an asset to her country's monarchy. Now, stepping into a discreet background, it is likely that her recent controversies will also fade into oblivion.

The last time María Teresa made headlines was last year, when new allegations accused her of inappropriate behavior toward her staff. The newspaper 'Lëtzebuerger Land' claimed that the Grand Duke's wife "overwhelmed" staff with her multiple demands when she wanted to try on clothes before a photo session for her daughter Alexandra's wedding. Something that resulted in "a verbal altercation."

According to the report, additional staff had to be called in after the maids and wardrobe team had to deal with the royal's demands, and supposedly the Cuban woman would have scolded the following day the Marshal of the Court, who is in charge of managing the Grand Duke's Household, for his "poor organization."

According to the publication, the Luxembourg Prime Minister himself would have gone to the palace to discuss the situation with the Grand Duchess, and his visit would have caused new disagreements regarding the way court affairs were being handled.

This reprehensible behavior by the Grand Duchess was not new. In 2020, a "culture of fear" within the Royal Household was detailed, after more than 50 staff members left or were fired from their positions over the course of about five years. Local media directly blamed María Teresa for these departures, stating that "she does what she wants without fear of repercussions and her own husband doesn't even dare confront her."

At that time, then Prime Minister Xavier Bettel appointed a special commission to clarify the facts. Before a verdict was issued, in a statement the Grand Duke vigorously defended his wife: "Pending the publication of the report, and throughout this entire process, articles have appeared in the media in which unjust accusations are made against my wife, mother of our five children and devoted grandmother. This is affecting my entire family. Why attack a woman? A woman who defends other women? A woman who doesn't even have the right to defend herself?"

When the investigation was finally published, named the Waringo Report after the name of the retired senior official Jeannot Waringo who directed it, it concluded that María Teresa's participation in "essential personnel decisions was problematic." The report recommended reforming María Teresa's participation in personnel matters.

The Grand Duke's bitter complaints about the media lynching of his wife came to nothing when he officially ratified the change proposed by the Waringo Report. In this way, he stripped his wife of any official role and any power to manage the palace. Now, with her son's ascension to the throne, her role in the court will be even further reduced.