HRH Grand Duc Henri

Henri Albért Gabriel Félix Marie Guillaume, HRH Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg was the oldest son of HRH Grand Duke Jean, who led Luxembourg from 1964-2000, and was a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from 1946-98. Upon his resignation HRH Grand Duke Henri was named to the IOC. Within the IOC he has served on the Olympic Solidarity Commission since 1999.

HRH Grand Duke Henri studied in Luxembourg and in France, obtaining a baccalaureate in 1974. He then underwent military officer training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, England before studying political science at the University of Geneva and the Graduate Institute of International Studies, graduating in 1980. He later received a doctorate in economics from Khon Kaen University in Thailand.

Upon his father’s abdication, HRH Grand Duke Henri became Luxembourg head of state on 7 October 2000. The role is primarily representative, but he does appoint the prime minister, may dissolve the Chamber of Deputies, and can promulgate laws and accredit ambassadors.

In his position as the leader of Luxembourg HRH Grand Duke Henri has received numerous honors and awards, among which are: honorary chair of the board of economic development of Luxembourg (1978-2000), board member of the Mentor Foundation created by the World Health Organisation (WHO), board member of the Charles Darwin Foundation, honorary doctorate in the humanities from the Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, Connecticut (USA), honorary doctorate in law from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio (USA), and a doctor rerum politicarum honoris causa from the University of Trier (Germany).