Last modified: 22 December 2012
Luxembourg-City, 20 October 2012
The wedding programme
- 11.00 am – Religious wedding at the Cathedral Notre-Dame at Luxembourg-City
- 1.00 pm – Balcony appearance followed by a reception at the Grand-Ducal Palace in Luxembourg-City
- 8.20 pm – Fireworks at the Trois Glands
- 8.45 pm – Concert of Selah Sue and Funky P. at the Place Guillaume II
The wedding venues
Cathedral
The late Gothic Cathédrale Notre-Dame (Cathedral of Our Lady of Consolation) was originally built as a Jesuit church. The first stone was laid in 1613. The work was completed in 1621. In 1778 the church was established as a parish church under the name of “Saint Nicholas and Saint Theresa”. In 1801 the name became St Peter’s Church, and in 1844 it was renamed the Notre-Dame Church. In 1870 Pope Pius IX proclaimed Luxembourg a self-governing diocese. Therefore the church became a cathedral. The cathedral was enlarged between 1935 and 1938. The last restorations took place in 1977 and 1978. The beautiful stained glass windows in the choir were made by the French artist Louis Barillet.
The statue of the Lady of Consolation was received by the church in 1794. She is the patron of the city and the country of Luxembourg. The statue is placed at the heart of the choir. The statue is on display a a clothed statue. During the wedding the statue wore a garment made of fabric from the bridal gown of Grand Duchess Maria Teresa. Inspired by the original wedding dress by fashion designer Pierre Balmain, the ivory silk garment has quilted and fitted parts at the front, and white mink trim. The Grand Duchess had wanted to donate a garment to the cathedral already for some time, and the wedding was the perfect occasion to do so.
The statue also wore a veil made of 18th century Belgian lace. The veil belonged to the de Lannoy family and was worn by the late Countess Alix de Lannoy, mother of the bride.
The statue also wore a rosary made of rock crystal, a souvenir of Grand Duchess Maria Teresa’s maternal grandmother, Maria Narcisa Alvarez Tabio. The infant Jesus wore a necklace with a baptism medal of the Grand Duchess, as well as a locket with photographs of the Royal Couple and the Grand-Ducal Family enclosed inside. These pieces will be added to the jewelry collection of the Lady of Consolation in the treasury of the Cathedral.
The religious wedding
Grand Duke Henri, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa and Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume arrived at the cathedral in Bentleys provided for the occasion by Garage Losch in Luxemburg. The bride arrived in a blue Daimler, acquired by the Grand Ducal Court in 1988. The cars of the Grand Ducal family don’t have a number plate, but their plate displays the symbols of the House of Nassau: an orange band and a blue band. In total around hundred cars were used.
The guests were transported in limousins provided by the Garage Losch and were driven by Luxemburg army drivers. Other guests were transported in minibuses and buses provided by the comoaby Sales-Lentz in Luxemburg and were also driven by Luxemburg army drivers.
The main concelebrants and musicians
The wedding mass was conducted by Monsignor Jean-Claude Hollerich S.J., Archbishop of Luxembourg.
The main concelebrants during the wedding ceremony were:
- Monsignor Giacinto Berloco, Apostolic Nuntio of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
- Monsignor Fernand Franck, Archbishop Emeritus of Luxembourg
- The Rt Rev. Father Abbot Michel Jorrot O.S.B., Father Abbot of Clervaux
- Canon Ernest Gillen, vicar general
- Canon Georges Hellinghausen, provost
- Canon Henri Hamus, priest of the Cathedral
- Canon François Muller, chaplain of the Grand-ducal Court
- Abbot Pascal André Dumont
- Abbot Dominique Janthial
- Abbot Vincent della Faille de Leverghem
- Brother Emmanuel della Faille de Leverghem
Furthermore there were:
- Master of the ceremonies: Abbot Jean-Pierre Reiners
- Ceremonial official: Abbot Romain Richer
Three choirs, two orchestras and two organists took care of the musical accompaniment for the wedding ceremony. The organists were Paul Breisch, organist of the cathedral, and Laurent Felten. The three choirs were The Cathedral Choir, Chapel Choir and The Small Ensemble. They were accompanied by the Luxembourg Chamber Orchestra directed by Antonio Grosu and the Grand-Ducal Military Band under the direction of Lieutenant Jean-Claude Braun.
The order of service
Welcome
OEuvres de Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
- Sonate d’église en Ré (KV 144)
- Fantaisie en Fa (KV 608)
- Sonate d’église en Fa (KV 224)
- Fantaisie en Fa (KV 594)
- Sonate d’église en Do (KV 278)
- Sonate d’église en Do (KV 329)
Entrance of the Grand Duke
Albert Leblanc – Paraphrase of the “Wilhelmus”
Entrance of the Hereditary Grand Duke
William Mathias – Fanfare
Entrance of Countess Stéphanie de Lannoy
Eugène Gigout – Grand choeur dialogué
Introductory Rites
Ignaz Franz – Großer Gott, wir loben Dich
Großer Gott, wir loben Dich;
Herr, wir preisen Deine Stärke.
Vor Dir neigt die Erde sich
und bewundert Deine Werke.
Wie Du warst vor aller Zeit,
so bleibst Du in Ewigkeit.
Alles, was Dich preisen kann,
Kerubim und Serafinen
stimmen Dir ein Loblied an;
alle Engel, die Dir dienen,
rufen Dir stets ohne Ruh
„Heilig, heilig, heilig“ zu.
Introduction to the Celebration
Minute of Silence in commemoration of Alix comtesse de Lannoy
Countess Alix de Lannoy, the mother of the bride, died suddenly on 26 August 2012, aged 70. Since the bride has worn the engagement ring of her mother, which she also did during the wedding ceremony. On the occasion of the wedding also the statue of the Lady of Consolation in the cathedral wore a veil of the Lannoy family that her mother has worn. The wedding ceremony started with a minute of silence to remember Countess Alix.
Penitential Rite
Gloria
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – “Messe de la Trinité” (KV 167)
The Liturgy of the Word
Reading from the first Letter of St Paul to the Corinthians (12,31-13,8)
Set your hearts on the greater gifts. I will show you the way which surpasses all the others. If I speak with human tongues and angelic as well, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong, a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and, with full knowledge, comprehend all mysteries, if I have faith great enough to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give everything I have to feed the poor and hand over my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient; love is kind. Love is not jealous, it does not put on airs, it is not snobbish. Love is never rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not prone to anger; neither does it brood over injuries. Love does not rejoice in what is wrong but rejoices with the truth. There is no limit to love’s forbearance, to its trust, its hope, its power to endure. Love never fails.
Psalm (ps 32)
Bénis le Seigneur Ô mon âme, n’oublie aucun de ses bienfaits!
Bénis le Seigneur Ô mon âme, bénis le Seigneur à jamais!
Exult, you just, in the Lord;
praise from the upright is fitting.
Give thanks to the Lord on the harp;
with the ten stringed lyre chant his praises.
For upright is the word of the Lord,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the Lord the earth is full.
The Lord brings to nought the plans of nations;
he foils the designs of peoples.
But the plan of the Lord stands forever;
the design of his heart, through all generations.
Gospel Acclamation
Marco Frisina – Cantico dell’Agnello
Reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (5,1-12)/p>
When Jesus saw the crowds he went up on the mountainside. After he had sat down his disciples gathered around him, and he began to teach them:
“How blest are the poor in spirit: the reign of God is theirs.
Blest too are the sorrowing; they shall be consoled.
Blest are the lowly; they shall inherit the land.
Blest are they who hunger and thirst for holiness;
they shall have their fill.
Blest are they who show mercy; mercy shall be theirs.
Blest are the single-hearted for they shall see God.
Blest too the peacemakers; they shall be called sons of God.
Blest are those persecuted for holiness’ sake;
the reign of God is theirs.
Blest are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter everykind of slander against you because of me.
Be glad and rejoice, for your reward in heaven is great.”
Sermon
The Liturgy of the Sacrament
Profession of Faith
The Archbishop asks the future married couple:
Avant de procéder à l’échange de vos consentements, faisant mémoire de votre baptême, renoncez au mal et proclamez la foi de l’Eglise:
Renoncez-vous à Satan, au péché et à tout ce qui conduit au péché?
Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Countess Stéphanie:
J’y renonce.
The Archbishop:
Croyez-vous en Dieu le Père tout-puissant, Créateur du ciel et de la terre?
Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Countess Stéphanie:
Je crois.
The Archbishop:
Croyez-vous en Jésus-Christ, son fils unique, notre Seigneur, Qui est né de la Vierge Marie, a souffert sa passion, a été enseveli, est ressuscité d’entre les morts, et qui est assis à la droite du Père?
Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Countess Stéphanie:
Je crois.
The Archbishop:
Croyez-vous en l’Esprit-Saint, à la sainte Eglise catholique, à la communion des saints, au pardon des péchés, à la résurrection de la chair et à la vie éternelle.
Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Countess Stéphanie:
Je crois.
Hymn to the Holy Spirit
C. Blanchard – Jésus, toi qui as promis
Jésus, toi qui as promis d’envoyer l’Esprit à ceux qui te prient,
Ô Dieu, pour porter au monde ton feu, voici l’offrande de nos vies.
Dialogue with bride and groom
The Archbishop
Prince Guillaume et Comtesse Stéphanie, vous avez écouté la parole de Dieu qui a révélé aux hommes le sens de l’amour et du mariage.
Vous allez vous engager l’un envers l’autre.
Je vous le demande: est-ce librement et sans contrainte?
Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Countess Stéphanie:
Oui.
The Archbishop:
Vous allez vous promettre fidélité. Est-ce pour toute votre vie?
Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Countess Stéphanie:
Oui.
The Archbishop:
Dans le foyer que vous allez fonder, acceptez-vous la responsabilité d’époux et de parents?
Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Countess Stéphanie:
Oui.
Exchange of Vows
The Archbishop:
Puisque vous êtes décidés à vous engager dans les liens du mariage, devant tous ceux qui sont ici et en présence de Dieu, veuillez joindre vos mains et échanger maintenant vos consentements.
Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume:
Stéphanie, veux-tu être mon épouse?
Countess Stéphanie:
Oui, je le veux.
Et toi, Guillaume, veux-tu être mon mari?
Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume:
Oui, je le veux.
Countess Stéphanie:
Guillaume, je te reçois comme époux et je me donne à toi.
Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume:
Stéphanie, je te reçois comme épouse et je me donne à toi.
Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Countess Stéphanie:
Pour nous aimer fidèlement dans le bonheur et dans les épreuves, et nous soutenir l’un l’autre, tout au long de notre vie.
The Archbishop:
Ce consentement que vous venez d’exprimer en présence de l’Église, que le Seigneur le confirme, et qu’il vous comble de sa bénédiction. Recueillez-vous en pensant à ce que Dieu a fait pour vous. Avec vos témoins, vos familles et vos amis, tous ensemble, rendons grâce à Dieu.
Blessing of Rings
The Archbishop:
Seigneur, notre Dieu, toi qui as fait Alliance avec nous par Jésus Christ, bénis maintenant ces alliances et donne aux jeunes mariés qui les porteront à leur doigt de se garder toujours une parfaite fidélité. Amen.
Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume:
Stéphanie, je te donne cette alliance, signe de notre amour et de notre fidélité.
Countess Stéphanie:
Guillaume, je te donne cette alliance, signe de notre amour et de notre fidélité.
Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Countess Stéphanie:
Nous le promettons au nom du Père et du Fils et du Saint-Esprit.
Amen.
Hymn of Praise and Thanksgiving
P. Jacques Sévin – Chant de la promesse
Devant tous je m’engage
sur mon honneur,
et je te fais hommage
de moi, Seigneur!
Je veux t’aimer sans cesse, de plus en plus,
protège ma promesse, Seigneur Jésus!
Je jure de te suivre
en fier chrétien,
et tout entier je livre
mon coeur au Tien.
Fidèle à ma Patrie
je le serai;
tous les jours de ma vie,
je servirai.
Prayer from the Spouses
Prayer of the Faithfull
Jacques Berthier – Ubi Caritas
Ubi caritas et amor, ubi caritas Deus ibi est.
The Liturgy of the Eucharist
Offertory
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy – Psalm 42, 1st mouvement
Wie der Hirsch schreit nach frischem Wasser,
so schreit meine Seele, Gott, zu Dir.
Sanctus
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – “Messe de la Trinité” (KV 167)
Eucharistic Prayer
Acclamation after the Consecration
Fernand Mertens – Sonnerie national
Pater noster
Pater noster, qui es in caelis;
sanctificetur nomen tuum;
adveniat regnum tuum;
fiat voluntas tua,
sicut in caelo, et in terra.
Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie;
et dimitte nobis debita nostra,
sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris;
et ne nos inducas in tentationem;
sed libera nos a malo.
Amen.
Nuptial Blessing
Agnus Dei
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – “Messe de la Trinité” (KV 167)/p>
Communion
Marco Frisina – Anima Christi
Markus Wittal – Pange lingua
Homage to Our Lady of Luxembourg, Comforter of the Afflicted
Joseph Biwer- Léif Mamm, ech weess et nët ze son
Léif Mamm, ech weess et nët ze son,
wéi gär ech bei dir sin.
Léif Mamm, ech kann nët vun dir gon,
bis ech erhéiert gin.
Léif Mamm, du helleg Kinnigin!
Looss all déng Kanner ëm dech sin,
géi du mat hinnen Hand an Hand
a seen, a seen eist Lëtzebuerger Land!
Léif Mamm, bleif bei äis Dag an Nuecht
mat Jesus, déngem Kand!
Léif Mamm, léif Mamm,
hal mat äis Wuecht am Lëtzebuerger Land!
Léif Mamm, du helleg Kinnigin!
Looss all déng Kanner ëm dech sin,
géi du mat hinnen Hand an Hand
a seen, a seen eist Lëtzebuerger Land!
Concluding Rite
Final Blessing
National Anthem
Antoine Zinnen – Ons Heemecht
Wou d’Uelzecht durech d’Wisen zéit,
duerch d’Fielsen d’Sauer brëcht.
Wou d’Rief laanscht d’Musel dofteg bléit,
den Himmel Wäin ons mëcht.
Dat as onst Land, fir dat mir géif,
heinidden alles won.
Ons Heemechtsland, dat mir sou déif
an onsen Hierzer dron.
O Du do uewen, deem séng Hand
duurch d’Welt d’Natioune leet.
Behitt Du d’Lëtzebuerger Land
vru friemem Joch a Leed!
Du hues ons all als Kanner schon
de fräie Geescht jo gin.
Looss viru blénken d’Fräiheetssonn
déi mir sou laang gesin.
(Translation in English by Nicolas E. Weydert, delivered by the Press and Communication Department of the Grand-Ducal court)
Where you see thhe slow Alzette flow
The Sura play wild pranks
Where lovely vineyards amply grow
On the Mosella’s banks,
There lies the land for which our thanks
Are owed to God above,
Our own, our native land which ranks
Well foremost in our love.
Our Father in Heaven Whose powerful hand
Makes states or lays them low,
Protect Thy Luxembourg Land
From foreign foe or woe.
God’s golden liberty bestow
On us now as of yore.
Let Freedom’s sun in glory glow
For now and everymore.
Signing of the Register
Georg Friedrich Händel – Hallelujah – Messiah (HWV 56)
Final Procession
Alexandre Guilmant – Symponie Nr. 1, troisième mouvement
The Archbishop’s Sermon
Sermon of Archbishop Jean-Claude Hollerich S.J. of Luxemburg on the occasion of the religious marriage of Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Countess Stéphanie de Lannoy at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Consolation
Unfortunately I have only received the text in French. The speech itself was
held in French and Luxemburgish (the italic text). If somebody is able to make a good translation into English, I’d be grateful.
Cher Prince Guillaume,
Chère Comtesse Stéphanie …
Ou plutôt
Cher Guillaume, chère Stéphanie,
Permettez-moi de vous adresser ainsi, négligeant les exigences du protocole … car vos noms de baptême sont chers à Dieu, c’est par ces noms que Dieu vous a inscrits dans le livre de la vie.
Vous faites aujourd’hui une déclaration d’amour et de fidélité devant Dieu à une époque où beaucoup d’hommes et de femmes souffrent de la séparation ou du divorce, souffrent des blessures affligées à leur amour. Votre consentement matrimonial devient ainsi un message d’Esperance pour tant de jeunes. Votre mariage nous donne l’Esperance de croire de nouveau à l’amour.
Un mariage princier nous incite à rêver, à gouter des sentiments profondément purs, profondément romantiques. Les textes que vous avez choisis pour cette célébration dépassent quand même tout romantisme … et font apparaître devant nos yeux un amour au quotidien, un amour existentiel sans pour jamais être terre à terre.
Tout amour passe par des crises. Nous sommes en effet bien habitués à l’amour en famille, où l’on nous connait, un amour qui nous a vu grandir depuis notre première enfance, un amour qui a pris connaissance de nos habitudes voire de nos faiblesses, un amour qui nous accepte et nous protège. Dans le mariage tout est nouveau … certes il y a le bonheur de la découverte de l’autre, mais cette découverte passe aussi par des moments d’irritation ou l’autre n’est plus perçu dans sa complémentarité, mais devient l’autre qui nous irrite et nous menace et ne semble plus être l’être cher avec qui nous voulons partager notre vie.
Ces irritations qui peuvent mener jusqu’à des crises ne s’opposent pas à l’amour, bien au contraire, ce sont des marches qui nous conduisent de l’amour-sentiment vers l’amour-engagement comme l’indique l’enseignement de l’apôtre que nous venons d’écouter … un amour qui est patient, parce qu’il connaît sa victoire, un amour qui donne sens à nos actes de charité, a notre vie quotidienne, à tout notre être.
L’amour conjugal est en effet participation à l’amour créateur de Dieu.
Pour comprendre cette réalité, il nous faut gravir la montagne avec le Christ, comme l’indique le texte de l’Evangile. Il nous faut gravir la montagne ou les brouillards de l’égoïsme et de la haine disparaissent devant la clarté de Dieu. Sur cette montagne où nous retrouvons notre liberté d’enfants de Dieu nous pouvons nous approcher de Jésus au milieu de ses disciples.
Et je vous invite d’entrer dans le regard de Jésus qui contemple les foules, un regard qui vient droit du coeur de Jésus. Et ce regard d’amour comment voit-il les foules?
Il voit des pauvres de coeur,
Il voit les doux et ceux qui pleurent et ceux qui ont faim et soif de justice,
Il voit les miséricordieux, les coeurs purs et les artisans de paix,
Il voit les pauvres persécutés pour la justice.
Là où nous ne percevons que la comédie humaine, là où nous ne voyons que des visages flous, Jésus voit le coeur des personnes, il voit des êtres humains dans leur nudité sans protection, il voit leur besoin d’amour … son regard n’est ni abstrait ni critique, c’est un regard qui appelle et qui transforme: Heureux êtes-vous … c’est le regard de Jésus qui crée le bonheur, qui promet le salut.
C’est le regard de l’amour.
Jésus nous y a donné un exemple. Quand vous vous égarez dans les plaines de la vie, grimpez la montagne de Dieu. La vue y est plus claire. Sachez: votre engagement devant le Christ et son Eglise engage aussi le Christ. Il vous fera participer à son regard … regardez-vous avec le regard du Christ. Vous y verrez la vraie réalité de l’autre, vous vous connaîtrez en vérité…un regard qui ne blesse ni ne condamne, un regard qui guérit et qui sauve …
Oui, votre mariage est plus qu’un signe d’Esperance. C’est un témoignage de votre foi en Dieu, c’est un témoignage de l’amour fou que Dieu porte à chaque être humain …
Votre mariage est un mariage princier, vous faites participer toute notre petite nation à votre joie et à votre espérance.
Merci d’oser ce chemin, merci d’oser prendre le chemin de l’amour … chemin où il faut certes gravir la montagne, … mais l’air y est plus pur … un air qui porte en soi les semences de la vie.
Que Dieu vous bénisse.
Amen.
Balcony scene and reception
The wedding service lasted until 1pm, at least fifteen minutes later than planned. However also the bride had arrived at the cathedral a bit later than planned. Therefore the appearance of the bridal couple at the balcony of the Grand Ducal Palace took place about half an our later than planned. The people who had decided that they loved to see the balcony scene more than being at the cathedral had to be early to get the best spots. But they didn’t wait for nothing. Finally the couple appeared on the balcony. They smiled, waved and even kissed several times. Also Grand Duke Henri, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, Prince Félix, Prince Louis and Princess Tessy, Princess Alexandra and Prince Sébastien appeared after a while. The people in the streets shouted of joy and waved their Luxembourg flags. Finally the family went inside again to attend a reception at the palace.
Franck Panier, the chef in the Grand-Ducal kitchen coordinated both the gala dinner and the reception at the Grand-Ducal Palace. He and his team were assisted by the Luxemburg chefs Thierry Duhr, Léa Linster and the chef of the Hotel ‘Le Royal’
The wedding cake was made by the patisserie Oberweis in Luxemburg. The patisserie Namur in Luxemburg was responsible for the “Bâmkuch” (tree cake), an Austrian-Hungarian speciality.
Fireworks
The programme for the wedding evening was changed only days before. They had planned that Luxembourg organisations would be able to present themselves in the centre. The couple was supposed to pay a visit between 7pm and 8pm and then show up at the Knuedler (Place Guillaume II) before the start of the concerts by Selah Sue and Funky B. and hear their wedding song live. But it wasn’t going to happen. Only days before the wedding the event was cancelled because the weather forecast wasn’t too good. How much that would change … on the wedding day itself it was almost Summer.
But just after 8pm the couple left the Grand-Ducal Palace via the back entrance on foot. The first part of the route to the building of the State Council was blocked, but afterwards the police could only try to protect the couple from the enthusiastic public. Everybody followed the couple to the balcony and the side street was packed with people. Myself I hardly managed to keep on standing. While the couple enjoyed the fireworks for almost 20 minutes, I was just too far back in the street to see much of the gorgeous fireworks. Hearts, wedding rings and even portraits of the couple showed up in the air. And again the newly wed couple kissed. On their way back to the palace – again walking – I somehow managed to shake hands with the bride. They soon were back in the palace. They celebrated a bit longer in the palace before leaving by car to Berg Castle.
The wedding dress and other attires
The bridal dress
The bridal dress was designed by Elie Saab. He designed a lace ivory gown, embroidered with silver thread leaves, three-quarter lenght sleeves and an ivory silk tulle veil embroidered with silver thread leaves. The dress had a 4,5 metre train. The dress was made of 50 metres of Chantilly lace, 40 metres of Calais lace, 30 metres of satin organza, 70 metres of tulle and silk crepe for the lining and 15 metres of silk tulle for the veil. The dress was decorated with 200 pieces of transparent glitter, 80.000 transparent crystals, 50.000 beads and 10.000 metres of silver embroidery thread. 15 people worked for 3200 hours of embroidery work on the dress. 10 seamstresses worked for 700 hours to create the dress.
The hair of the bride was done by hairdresser Tom Marcineau of Maison CARITA in Paris, France. Her make-up was done by master make-up artist BOUZOUK.
The tiara
Instead of one of the tiaras of the Luxembourg Grand-Ducal family Countess Stéphanie de Lannoy chose to wear the tiara of her own family, that was worn by her sisters and sisters-in-law on their wedding day. The tiara was created by the firm Altenloh in Brussels. The tiara is composed of 270 old-cut brilliants set in platinum, with a diamond in an inverted pear shape superimposed in the centre. A dozen larger brilliants stand out owing to their closed sets, appearing like buttons along the patterns of leafed scrolls. The contours of the tiara, traced by the arrangements of the stones, are underlined by a thin line of platinum gilded pearls.
The bridal bouquet
The bridal bouquet was created by the florist Maison Lachaume in Paris, France, and existed of very light yellow roses and white orchids. At the end of the wedding ceremony the bride left the bouquet at the statue of the Lady of Consolation.
The wedding rings
The wedding rings of the bridal couple were made of yellow gold purchased through fair trade, a decision made by the couple as a sign of their particular awareness of the environmental and social issues.
The groom’s attire
Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume wore the so called “Grand Tenue” dark blue uniform of the Maison grand-ducale. He also wore the Ordre du Lion d’Or de la Maison de Nassau and the Ordre de Couronne de chaîne.
The maids of honour
The dresses of the maids of honour, Princess Alexandra of Luxembourg and Antonia Hamilton, were designed by Edouard Vermeulen of the House Natan in Brussels, Belgium.
The hair of the maids of honour and the bridal children was done by hairdresser Tom Marcineau of Maison CARITA in Paris, France. Their make-up was done by master make-up artist BOUZOUK.
The bridal staff
Witnesses of the groom
- Prince Félix of Luxembourg, born at Luxembourg on 3 June 1984. Elder brother of the groom.
- Don Lawrence Doimi de Frankopan, born at London, United Kingdom, on 29 December 1977. Brother of Lady Nicholas Windsor. Good friend of the groom.
Witnesses of the bride
- Freifrau Blanche von und zu Bodman, born at Brussels, Belgium, on 13 April 1984 as Princess Blanche de Mérode. Married in 2010 Freiherr Philipp von und zu Bodman. Friend of the bride.
- Princess Louise zu Stolberg-Stolberg, born at Brussels, Belgium, on 2 March 1984. Friend of the bride.
Maids of honour
- Princess Alexandra of Luxembourg, born at Luxembourg on 16 February 1991. Sister of the groom.
- Antonia Hamilton, born on 23 November 1997. Niece of the bride.
Bridesmaids and pageboys
- Madeleine Hamilton, born in 2001. Niece of the bride.
- Countess Caroline de Lannoy, born at Renaix, Belgium, on 16 July 2001. Niece of the bride.
- Countess Louise de Lannoy, born at Renaux, Belgium, on 4 May 2003. Niece of the bride.
- Isaure de le Court, born at Renaix, Belgium, on 10 June 2003. Niece of the bride.
- Prince Gabriel de Nassau, born at Genève, Switzerland, on 12 March 2006. Nephew of the groom.
- Lancelot de le Court, born in 2007. Nephew of the bride.
The Army and Police
Approximately 363 members of the army were deployed during the wedding: 18 officers, 103 non-commissioned officers, 13 corporals, 213 soldiers and 16 civilian personnel. Chef de détachement Major Peter Bodé, three chefs de peloton, nine chefs de section (non-commissioned officers) and 63 soldiers formed the honour company at the square of the cathedral. First lieutenant Yves Van Camp bore the army flag and was escorted by two non-commissioned officers and three soldiers. The Sabre Arch was formed by six officers: Lieutenant Colonel Yves Kalmes, Lieutenant Colonel Yvon Kries, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Nilles, Lieutenant Colonel Alain Schoeben, Lieutenant Colonel Georges Eiden and Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Ballinger. Furthermore there were small guards of honour at the Rue de la Reine and the Boulevard Roosevelt. Furthermore a gun salute detachment was responsible for the 101 shots fired at 10-second intervals at the end of the wedding.
The Grand-Ducal police had a maximum number of police available to oversee the public festivities. All leaves were cancelled for the weekend of the wedding. They were responsible for the protection of the guests and the general public. All police motorcycle units and highway patrols were in service. Also police helicopter and dog handlers were at work.
Various facts
Wedding presents
Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Countess Stéphanie de Lannoy asked people who wished to give a wedding gift for a donation to the special account ‘Mariage Princier – projets sociaux au Luxembourg’, that was specially set up for the occasion. They wish to support and develop social projects in Luxembourg. The account was set up by the Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa Foundation, founded in 1981 on the occasion of their wedding.
Wedding exhibition
On the occasion of the wedding the National Museum of History and Art in Luxembourg organised an exhibition called “The Grand-Ducal Silver Room”. The exhibition is open from 5 October 2012 to 13 January 2013. Shown are master pieces of gold and silver work from the Grand-Ducal collection. Certain pieces were taken from the exhibition for a few days because of the wedding and were actually used during the gala dinner.
Wedding souvenirs
Several wedding souvenirs were on sale in Luxembourg. There were postcards of the couple when they were still engaged, flags, magnets and a series of commemorative plates and beakers. Villeroy & Boch created a very limited series of porcelain pieces on the occasion of the wedding.
The Luxembourg writer and composer Joël Heyard dedicated his song “I’m in love” to the bridal couple. The song was sung by Luxembourg singers Deborah Lehnen and Christophe Strotz. The CD can be bought at the Luxembourg City Tourist Office. The proceeds from the sales will be donated to the wedding account.
Wedding book
The Luxembourg publishing House Éditions Saint-Paul has published an official wedding book written by French writer and royalty expert Stéphane Bern. There is both a French and a German language edition available. The book was published on 27 October.
Flower decoration, 21 October 2012
The day after the wedding, Sunday 21 October 2012, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Consolation was open for the public. At 10am it opened its doors, and they were only closed after 6pm. In these hours no less than 40.000 people had a look at the beautiful flower decoration for the wedding. And also the wedding bouquet of the new Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie, was well visible, as well as the cushion on which the wedding rings were carried. Imagine there are only 100.000 people living in Luxembourg-City.
The Service Jardin & Parc of Berg Castle in Colmar-Berg was responsible for the floral arrangements. The team was led by Pol Damé. They got help from the sexton of the cathedral, Alain FEltes, and his team, a few Luxembourg florists and two classes of the florist education of the Lycée agricole d’Ettelbruck. In total 26 people worked on the decoration, and it took them six days to complete the arrangement, that existed of 3000 roses, 500 green plants and other flowers. All the flowers were sourced from the Trainsfair label.
On Monday morning part of the flowers were given to people passing the cathedral. Another part went to institutions. The potted plants will be replanted in different parks and gardens.
The guestlist
The official guestlist for the wedding was by far not complete. Spread over the two days we identified much more guests. I also found some names online. I want to thank the members of the Nobiliana forum and makers of the Luxarazzi weblog for some identifications.
Family of the groom
- Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg
- Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg
- Prince Félix of Luxembourg
- Prince Louis and Princess Tessy of Luxembourg
- Prince Gabriel de Nassau
- Princess Alexandra of Luxembourg
- Prince Sébastien of Luxembourg
- Archduchess Marie-Astrid and Archduke Carl-Christian of Austria
- Countess Marie-Christine and Count Rodolphe de Limburg Stirum
- Archduke Imre and Archduchess Kathleen of Austria
- Archduke Christoph of Austria and Adélaïde Drapé-Frisch
- Archduke Alexander of Austria
- Archduchess Gabriella of Austria
- Prince Jean of Luxembourg and Countess Diane de Nassau
- Princess Marie-Gabrielle de Nassau
- Prince Constantin de Nassau
- Prince Wenceslas de Nassau
- Prince Carl-Johann de Nassau
- Princess Margaretha and Prince Nikolaus von und zu Liechtenstein
- Princess Maria-Anunciata von und zu Liechtenstein
- Princess Marie-Astrid von und zu Liechtenstein
- Prince Josef-Emanuel von und zu Liechtenstein
- Prince Guillaume and Princess Sibilla of Luxembourg
- Prince Paul-Louis de Nassau
- Prince Léopold de Nassau
- Princess Charlotte de Nassau
- Prince Jean de Nassau
- Prince Robert of Luxembourg and Princess Julie de Nassau
- Charlotte Cunningham née Princess of Luxembourg and Marc Cunningham
- Hélène Vestur
- Mr and Mrs Luis Mestre
- Maike Mestre
- Luis Mestre
- Mrs Catalina Esteve
- Nathalia Esteve
- Katarina Esteve
- Victoria Esteve
- Mr Antonio Mestre
Family of the bride
- Count Philippe de Lannoy
- Count Jehan de Lannoy
- Countess Caroline de Lannoy
- Countess Louise de Lannoy
- Count Christian and Countess Luisa de Lannoy
- Mrs Nathalie Hamilton née Countess de Lannoy and Mr John Hamilton
- Antonia Hamilton
- Madeleine Hamilton
- Countess Gaëlle de Lannoy
- Count Amaury de Lannoy
- Count Olivier and Countess Alice de Lannoy
- Mrs Isabelle de le Court née Countess de Lannoy and Mr Jean-Charles de le Court
- Isaure de le Court
- Lancelot de le Court
- Countess Albert de Lannoy
- Countess Isabelle de Lannoy Count and Countess Claude de Lannoy
- Mr and Mrs Ladislas della Faille de Leverghem
- Chevalier and Mrs Dominique de Schaetzen
- Mr and Mrs Claude de Goussencourt
- Mr and Mrs Arnaud della Faille de Leverghem
Royal and noble guests
- Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi
- Countess Maria Beatrice von Arco-Zinneberg
- Countess Anna (?) von Arco-Zinneberg
- Countess Olympia (?) von Arco-Zinneberg
- Princess Dainé d’Arenberg
- The Prince and Princess of Asturias
- Archduke István and Archduchess Paola of Austria
- Archduke Yolande of Austria
- Archduke Rudolf and Archduchess Marie-Hélène of Austria
- Archduchess Priscilla of Austria
- Archduchess Anna Gabriela of Austria
- Archduke Carl Peter and Archduchess Alexandra of Austria
- Archduke Simeon and Archduchess Maria of Austria
- Archduchess Catharina of Austria and Count Massimiliano Secco d’Aragona
- Archduke Michael and Archduchess Christiana of Austria
- Archduke Martin and Archduchess Katharina of Austria-Este
- The Margrave and Margravinne of Baden
- Hereditary Prince Bernhard and Hereditary Princess Stephanie of Baden
- Duke Max and Duchess Elizabeth in Bavaria
- Prince Ludwig of Bavaria
- King Albert II and Queen Paola of the Belgians
- Queen Fabiola of Belgium
- Prince Philippe of Belgium, Duke of Brabant, and Princess Mathilde of Belgium, Duchess of Brabant
- Princess Astrid and Prince Lorenz of Belgium
- Prince Amedeo of Belgium
- Prince Laurent and Princess Claire of Belgium
- Princess Lidia de Bourbon de Parme
- Baronne Blanche von und zu Bodman née Princess de Merode
- Lady Brabourne
- The Hon. Alexandra Knatchbull
- The Duke and Duchess of Bragança
- King Simeon II and Queen Margarita of Bulgaria
- Prince Kiril of Bulgaria
- Princess Miriam of Bulgaria
- The Duke and Duchess of Croÿ
- The Duchess Dowager of Croÿ
- Count Andrea and Countess Isabella Czarnocki-Lucheschi
- Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik of Denmark
- Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark
- Don Lawrence Doimi de Frankopan
- Henrik and Monica de Dompierre de Jonquières
- Mr Jean and Mrs Tatiana Fruchaud née Princess Radziwill
- Prince Piotr and Princess Maria Anna Galitzine
- Princess Xenia Galitzine and Alberto Matta Maya
- Baron Baudouin and Baronne Elisabeth Gilles de Pélichy
- King Constantine II and Queen Anne-Marie of Greece
- Crown Prince Pavlos and Crown Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece
- Princess Caroline of Hannover (Monaco)
- Count Winfried and Countess Anna-Maria Henckel von Donnersmarck (?)
- Fürstin Anita von Hohenberg and Count Andreas von Bardeau
- Fürst Karl Friedrich and Fürstin Katharina von Hohenzollern
- Countess Antonia Holstein-Ledreborg
- Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan
- Prince El Hassan and Princess Sarvath of Jordan
- Prince Rashid and Princess Zeina of Jordan
- Claire Lademacher (Prince Felix of Luxembourgs girlfriend)
- Fürst Hans Adam II and Fürstin Marie von und zu Liechtenstein
- Princess Nora von und zu Liechtenstein
- Princess Isabelle von und zu Liechtenstein
- Prince Wenzeslaus von und zu Liechtenstein
- Princess Alix de Ligne née Princess of Luxembourg
- Prince Michel and Princess Eleonore de Ligne
- Princess Alix de Ligne
- Prince Wauthier and Princess Régine de Ligne
- Princess Sophie de Ligne
- Prince Lamoral and Princess Minthia de Ligne
- Princess Anne de Ligne and Chevalier Charles de Fabribeckers de Cortils et Grâce
- Count Bruno and Countess Christine de Limburg Stirum
- Princess Françoise de Lobkowicz
- Prince Charles-Henri de Lobkowicz
- Fürst Aloys-Konstantin and Fürstin Anastasia zu Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg
- Princess Lalla Salma of Morocco
- Count Christoph and Countess Marie-Charlotte von Meran
- John Munro and Silvia Munro (née Countess Holstein-Ledreborg)
- Prince Jean-Christophe Napoléon
- Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands
- The Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima of the Netherlands
- King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway
- Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway
- Princess Märtha Louise of Norway
- Prince Antonio and Princess Christine de Orléans e Bragança
- Prince Lelio Orsini d’Aragona
- The Duke and Duchess of Parma
- Baron Jean-Louis and Baroness Sophie de Potesta
- Veronica de Pottere
- Prince Georg Friedrich of Prussia
- Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al-Thani of Qatar (and wife?)
- Fürst Alexander and Fürstin Martina von Quadt zu Wykradt und Isny
- Count Jacques and Countess Anne Rogge
- Crown Princess Margarita and Prince Radu of Romania
- Count Axel and Countess Jutta af Rosenborg
- Princess Alexandra zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg and Count Jefferson-Friedrich von Pfeil und Klein-Ellguth
- Fürst Alexander and Fürstin Gabriela zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn
- Hereditary Count Damian and Hereditary Countess Deirdre Mary von Schönburg-Buchheim
- Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia
- Fürst Jost-Christian and Fürstin Sylvianne zu Stolberg-Stolberg
- Princess Louise zu Stolberg-Stolberg
- Queen Silvia of Sweden
- Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden
- Prince Carl Philip of Sweden
- Hugo Townsend and Yolande Townsend née Princess de Ligne
- The Duke and Duchess de Vendôme
- The Prince and Princess of Venice
- Hereditary Countess Mathilde von Waldburg zu Zeil und Trauchburg
- The Earl and Countess of Wessex
- Fürst Mariano Hugo zu Windisch-Graetz and Archduchess Sophie of Austria
Among the guests were also fashion designers Elie Saab (with his wife and son) and Edouard Vermeulen, as well as lots of Luxembourg and European politicians.
Biographies of bride and groom
Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg
Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume Jean Joseph Marie of Luxembourg was born on 11 November 1981 at the Maternité Grande-Duchesse Charlotte in Luxembourg-City, as eldest son of the present Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg and his wife Maria Teresa née Mestre. His younger siblings are: Félix (* 1984), Louis (* 1986), Alexandra (* 1991) and Sébastien (* 1992).
Guillaume attended Lorentzweiler primary school from 1988 to 1994 and completed the first part of secondary school at the Lycée Robert Schuman in 1998. He passed his French Baccalaureate in 2001 at the Collège Beausoleil at Villars-sur-Ollon, Switzerland. From September 2001 to August 2002 he was trained as an officer at the Sandhurst Royal Military Academy in the United Kingdom. He is since December 2002 an officer in the Luxembourg army and currently holds the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. He studied political science in England (Durham), Switzerland and in France. In June 2009 he got his Bachelor Degree with distinction at the University of Angers, France.
In the Summer of 1997 Guillaume participated in a humanitarian aid camp in Nepal as a member of the Luxembourg Scout movement. And in 1999 he went on a charitable mission to Aguas Callentes, Mexico. He completed a traineeship at the Union Chimique Belge in 2003, and in 2004 had an internship at the Deutsche Bank in London. He took part in various projects with the Spanish branch of the steelmaking company Arcelor in 2005.
After his father had become the Grand Duke of Luxembourg in October 2000 Guillaume was officially appointed the Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg on 18 December 2000. He became a member of the State Council in June 2005 and regularly attends sessions.
The Hereditary Grand Duke is the honorary president of the “Board of Economic Development”, nowadays “Luxembourg for business”, since 2001, and as such regularly takes part in economic missions abroad. He is also a board member of the “Fondation du Grand-Duc et de la Grande-Duchesse”. Furthermore he is the honorary president of the board of the Kräizbierg Foundation. He is a patron of the Luxembourg Cycling Federation, the Luxembourg Youth Hostel Association, the Association nationale des victimes de la Route, the Jeunesses Musicales du Luxembourg and the European Union Youth Wind Orchestra.
He is especially interested in political, economic, social, cultural and sports issues. He likes philosophy, as well as reading (biographies, historical novels), music (classical and modern), playing the piano and guitar, theatre. As a child he used to sing in the Pueri Cantores Choir in Luxembourg, and at school in Switzerland was the singer in the rock band of the school. He also likes sports: football, tennis, skiing, swimming, water sports. He speaks Luxembourgish, French, English, German and Spanish.
Countess Stéphanie de Lannoy
Countess Stéphanie Marie Claudine Christine de Lannoy was born at Ronse/Renaix, Belgium, on 18 February 1984, as the eighth and youngest child of Count Philippe de Lannoy and his wife, née Alix della Faille de Leverghem. Her siblings are: Jehan (* 1966), Christian (* 1968), Nathalie (* 1969), Gaëlle (* 1970), Amaury (* 1971), Olivier (* 1974) and Isabelle (* 1976).
Stéphanie grew up in Anvaing, Belgium, and attended the primary school Sancta Maria in Ronse. She spent two years at the Collège Sainte-Odile in northern France, where she started secondary school. She graduated from secondary school at the Institut de la Vierge Fidèle in Brussels, Belgium, in 2002. After finishing school Stéphanie spent one year in Moscow, where she studied Russian language and literature. She studied Germanic philology at the Université Catholique de Louvain, and obtained a degree with distinction. She completed a graduation project on the subject of the influence of German Romanticism on Russian Romanticism at university in Berlin, Germany.
After her studies Stéphanie did a traineeship with the Walloon Export Agency in Berlin. After returning to Belgium she worked for an investment fund company. She also was involved in voluntary work and made many trips with youth groups. Since June 2012 she is a member of the board of directors of the “Fondation du Grand-Duc et de la Grande-Duchesse”.
Her hobby’s are classical music, reading, skiing and swimming. She took piano and violin lessons. She is interested in learning foreign languages and speaks French, German and English fluently. She also speaks some Russian and Dutch, and has started learning Luxembourgish.
Source for the bride’s biography is Monarchie.lu.