Grand Duke Guillaume Emphasises Unity & Solidarity in 1st Christmas Speech

On Wednesday 24 December 2025, Grand Duke Guillaume delivered his first Christmas Eve address as Luxembourg’s Head of State, continuing an annual tradition followed in the Grand Duchy.

In last year’s Christmas speech, Grand Duke Henri had announced his intention to abdicate in favour of his son. Guillaume officially acceded to the throne on 3 October 2025, an occasion marked by the three-day “Trounwiessel” celebrations, one of the highlights of the year.

In his address, Grand Duke Guillaume recalled the core values underpinning Luxembourgish society, namely cohesion, solidarity, openness and tolerance - values which he had first emphasised during his accession to the throne in October. On Christmas Eve, he described them as “values that we live by and values that build bridges between people in our society”.

Referring to his nationwide tour on 4 October, the Grand Duke thanked citizens for their warm welcome and said he and his wife, Grand Duchess Stéphanie, wished to remain close to the population. Looking ahead, he announced that the Grand Ducal couple will meet the public during five “Joyeuses Entrées” visits to be held in 2026 and 2027. This long-standing tradition following a change of reign consists of official visits to different regions of the country.

Grand Duke Guillaume described Christmas as a time “to come together and to live our values”. Using symbols associated with the festive season, he conveyed a unifying message rooted in hope and solidarity. He said these symbols “remind us of the enduring values of Christmas”, describing festive lights as “symbols of hope in uncertain times”.

He also addressed current international challenges, notably the war in Ukraine, which he said had raised questions about security in Europe. He highlighted the resilience of people in Ukraine and across Europe, noting gestures of solidarity as a source of hope and a reminder of the importance of cohesion in times of crisis.

Referring to the cherished symbol of the Christmas tree, he said its roots symbolise the importance of strong institutions and the stability that shapes Luxembourg. He added that Christmas presents also serve as a reminder that “not everyone enjoys the prosperity known in Luxembourg”. That being said, the Grand Duke acknowledged that poverty and precarity exist in Luxembourg too. “Not everyone has a roof over their head,” he said, adding that high living costs weigh particularly heavily on single parents and young people. He described Christmas as a time to remember that “joy is only complete when it is shared”, emphasising the need to work together to build a society that ensures dignity and equal opportunity for all.

The Grand Duke added that the “sweet scent” of Christmas cookies is a reminder of Luxembourg’s traditions, which are part of an identity that “we must safeguard and strengthen through our valued openness and innovation, which allow our country to flourish”.

He also praised Luxembourg’s diversity, likening it to voices in a Christmas carol. Switching from Luxembourgish to French, the Grand Duke said: “Our differences can form a luminous symphony when we take the time to listen and to foster dialogue”. He continued: “The diversity of our opinions and our origins is not an obstacle, but a mosaic that enriches our society. If we cultivate patience, respect and the willingness to build bridges, then our contrasts will become the colours of a single painting.”

Speaking in Luxembourgish again, Grand Duke Guillaume evoked the image of the star on top of the Christmas tree, which he described as “a light in the night sky that brings hearts together”. He added: “In a small country, we are not merely neighbours - we are a family; a family where everyone has their place, their voice and their responsibility. It gives us strength, for it is built on trust, solidarity and unity. That is the strength of our country: small in size but great in unity”. He emphasised the importance of choosing dialogue over discord and division in order to live more in harmony. He also noted that Christmas is a special time for believers, saying “faith gives us hope and reminds us that light endures even in the darkest moments”.

The Grand Duke expressed his “heartfelt gratitude” to those whose dedication and service underpin social cohesion in Luxembourg, including volunteers active in clubs and associations throughout the year, as well as professionals working in hospitals, emergency services, the police, the army and other essential services, many of whom are cross-border workers.

Grand Duke Guillaume concluded his address with well wishes for Christmas and the New Year, delivered in English, French, German, Portuguese and Luxembourgish. In English, he said: “May the year ahead be one in which we grow closer to one another. Together, we can build a future that reflects the best of who we are. I wish you all a peaceful Christmas, joyful holidays and a happy New Year.”

In keeping with tradition, the Christmas address was framed by musical performances, with Yanis Grisó (violin) and Matis Grisó (cello) performing “De Wilhelmus” (the Grand Ducal anthem) before the speech and “Ons Heemecht” (Luxembourg’s national anthem) afterwards. The performances were recorded at the Grand Ducal Palace.

The Maison du Grand-Duc described the Grisó brothers as two young Luxembourgish virtuosos coming from a family of professional musicians. Yanis was born in 2003 and began playing the violin at the age of four. He has won prizes in several international competitions and regularly performs as a soloist with Luxembourgish and international orchestras; he has been a member of the Solistes Européens Luxembourg since 2023. Matis, born in 2006, also began playing the cello at the age of four. He has won prizes at the Concours Luxembourgeois pour Jeunes Solistes (Luxembourg Competition for Young Soloists) and several international competitions, performs regularly as a soloist and made his debut with the Luxembourg Philharmonic and the Orchestre de Chambre du Luxembourg (OCL) during the 2024-2025 season.

Pictured: Musicians Yanis and Matis Grisó; Credit: © Maison du Grand-Duc