Grand Duke Guillaume on stage at Glacis;
Credit: Ali Sahib, Chronicle.lu
On Saturday 4 October 2025, the newly sworn-in Grand Duke Guillaume undertook a nationwide tour, culminating in a festive evening in Luxembourg City.
From midday, spectators in the capital could already follow the live broadcast of the tour (“Dem Grand-Duc seng feierlech Tournée”) on a large screen at Glacis. Due to poor weather, the site fully opened later than planned (around 15:00) and two earlier concerts were cancelled.
Rout Bréck Tram Show
The grand finale began around 20:00 on the Grand Duchess Charlotte Bridge (Red Bridge or “Rout Bréck”), with a large-scale artistic production involving about 1,800 participants.
The new Grand Duke and Grand Duchess crossed the bridge on foot, stopping at eight tram “stations” representing the following themes: “Zesummeliewen” (living together); “A Beweegung” (in motion); “Resilienz” (resilience); “Ressourcen” (resources); “Kreativitéit” (creativity); “Betriibsgeescht” (entrepreneurial spirit); “Perspecktiven” (perspectives); “Europa” (Europe).
At each station, about 250 people gradually climbed out of the eight trams, with participants including hospitality staff, athletes, artists, business representatives and youth organisations (among others). They performed through dance, music, sport and visual arts. Throughout the show, there was music from pianist Francesco Tristano, as well as lights beaming into the night sky.
Along the way, the Grand Ducal couple engaged with participants before being welcomed by Mayor Lydie Polfer (who presented them with a gift on behalf of the City of Luxembourg) as well as Prime Minister Luc Frieden and Deputy Prime Minister Xavier Bettel (who offered them a gift from the government). The Luxembourg Military Band provided a musical backdrop as the royal couple made their way from the bridge towards Glacis.
Glacis: Speech, Drone Show & Concerts
Crowds then gathered at Glacis, where Grand Duke Guillaume addressed the public from a 360-degree stage. Speaking in Luxembourgish, English and French, he thanked the people of Luxembourg for their warmth and resilience (e.g. braving the wet weather). He stressed the importance of being able to celebrate this historic occasion with everyone. The Grand Duke emphasised some of Luxembourg’s key strengths (as represented in the tram show): social cohesion, solidarity and diversity. Speaking about the evening’s concerts, he said: “Let the music be a bridge to our vision of Luxembourg: talented, creative and welcoming.” The Grand Duke concluded: “Tonight we are not celebrating a person, but our identity, our diversity, our history and our future. Tonight we are celebrating our country and all its citizens; we are celebrating Luxembourg”.
His speech was followed by an eight-minute drone show featuring more than 300 drones, illustrating symbols of Grand Duke Henri’s reign and the transition to Grand Duke Guillaume. Symbols included Luxembourg's red lion, an “H” (for Henri) and a “G” (for Guillaume), as well as 3D crown in the sky.
The evening ended with on-stage performances by more than 30 Luxembourg artists across genres.
The ceremony was hosted by Masters of Ceremonies Philip Crowther and Désirée Nosbusch, who welcomed on stage the seven “godparents” who had accompanied Grand Duke Guillaume on tour: chef Léa Linster, cyclist Andy Schleck, athlete Patrizia van der Weken, writer Mike McQuaide (“An American in Luxembourg”), table tennis champion Ni Xia Lian, retired tennis player Anne Kremer and actor Jules Werner.
Despite the cold and intermittent rain, the atmosphere at Glacis was reminiscent of Luxembourg’s National Day, with thousands gathering for the historic occasion. Food and drinks were available on-site. Concerts continued until about midnight.
The “Trounwiessel” (throne transition) weekend concludes on Sunday 5 October 2025 with a Te Deum mass at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Luxembourg City.
