LUXEMBOURG, LUXEMBOURG - APRIL 22: Princess Stephanie of Luxembourg and Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg leave after the Civil Wedding Of Her Royal Highness Alexandra of Luxembourg & Nicolas Bagory At Luxembourg City Hall on April 22, 2023 in Luxembourg, Luxembourg. (Photo by Sylvain Lefevre/Getty Images)

Who is Prince Guillaume? Get to know the next Grand Duke of Luxembourg

The royal's father, Grand Duke Henri, is abdicating in 2025

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DECEMBER 25, 2024 1:50 AM ESTDEC 25, 2024, 1:50 AM EST

Prince Guillaume is the next Grand Duke of Luxembourg. The royal will succeed his father on Oct. 3, 2025. Grand Duke Henri, who has been the head of state since 2000, announced in his 2024 Christmas speech that he will abdicate in favor of his son days before the 25th anniversary of his own accession.

"For most of my generation, the time has now come to retire. It's a natural process that has its raison d'être. This also applies to me. On our last National Day, I announced the appointment of Prince Guillaume as Lieutenant-Représentant. Today, the Grand Duchess and I are pleased to share with you that Prince Guillaume and Princess Stéphanie will succeed us on October the 3rd, 2025," the Grand Duke said in his remarks. "I know that they will do their utmost to contribute to the well-being of our country."

LUXEMBOURG, LUXEMBOURG - OCTOBER 8: Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg during his inauguration ceremony as Lieutenant Representative of Luxembourg on October 8, 2024 in Luxembourg, Luxembourg. (Photo by Patrick van Katwijk/WireImage)

1. He was born on Nov. 11, 1981 in Luxembourg.

2. He is Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa's eldest child.

(Original Caption) 1st row: Louis, Henri, Sebastien, Maria Teresa, Alexandra. Behind: Guillaume and Felix. (Photo by Reuter Raymond/Sygma via Getty Images)

3. He has four younger siblings: Prince Félix, Prince Louis, Princess Alexandra and Prince Sébastien.

4. He became the Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg after his father's accession to the throne on Oct. 7, 2000.

LUXEMBOURG - OCTOBER 20: Princess Stephanie of Luxembourg and Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg emerge from the Cathedral following the wedding ceremony of Prince Guillaume Of Luxembourg and Princess Stephanie of Luxembourg at the Cathedral of our Lady of Luxembourg on October 20, 2012 in Luxembourg, Luxembourg. The 30-year-old hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg is the last hereditary Prince in Europe to get married, marrying his 28-year old Belgian Countess bride in a lavish 2-day ceremony. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

5. He married his wife, Princess Stéphanie, on October 20, 2012 at the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Luxembourg.

Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and his family

6. He and Stéphanie have two kids. They welcomed their first child, Prince Charles Jean Philippe Joseph Marie Guillaume, on May 10, 2020. Their second son, Prince François Henri Luis Marie Guillaume, was born on March 27, 2023.

7. He has been a member of the Scouts since he was a child, and in 2019, he became the Chief Scout of Luxembourg.

8. According to the Grand Ducal Court of Luxembourg's website, Guillaume "is passionate about playing the guitar."

Belgium's Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde pose with Prince Emmanuel, and his godfather and godmother Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg (R) and Countess Elisabeth d' Udekem d' Acoz (L), after the baptism of Prince Emmanuel, 10 December 2005 at the chapel of the Castle of Ciergnon. Prince Emmanuel, born on 04 October 2005, is the third child of Belgian Crownprince Philippe and Princess Mathilde. (Photo by BENOIT DOPPAGNE / BELGA / AFP) (Photo by BENOIT DOPPAGNE/BELGA/AFP via Getty Images)

9. He is a godparent to King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium's son Prince Emmanuel.

10. The royal is said to enjoy tennis, skiing, swimming and water sports.

LUXEMBOURG, LUXEMBOURG - OCTOBER 8: Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg, Grand Duke Henri of Luxemburg, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stephanie of Luxembourg during the inauguration ceremony of Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume as Lieutenant Representative of Luxembourg on October 8, 2024 in Luxembourg, Luxembourg. (Photo by Patrick van Katwijk/WireImage)

11. He is fluent in five languages, Luxembourgish, French, German, English and Spanish, per the Grand Ducal Court.

12. His father appointed him Lieutenant-Représentant in October 2024.