Grand Duchess Maria Teresa

[Future Crayon]

Not exactly models of humility, are they?

[Princess MS]

Below is my translation of the second half of this week's Point de Vue article on the 40th wedding anniversary of Henri and Maria Teresa. Interestingly, they were married on 14 February 1981, the same year as Charles and Diana.

The first ten years of marriage were those of the births of the hereditary couple’s five children. "Each time, I wondered if it would be possible to love my new child as much as the previous one. And yes, of course, love does not divide, it multiplies. We had the task of not weighing down our oldest child too early with the responsibility he would have to assume. To explain to the others that their brother would have a special life and that they would be much freer." And "that they would have to work for a living,” insists the Grand Duke. “This is the first generation where they all exercise a profession outside of the Crown."

Over the next decade, Henri and Maria Teresa balanced work and family life. They made their mark. "I already had the foundation" said the Grand Duchess, "and through it I looked at the social situations of my country. I defined the causes I wanted to defend, national and international. I was one of the first in the grand ducal family to go out, to go shopping, we both go to restaurants, to the cinema, and we raised our children in this open manner by sending them to public schools.

For the Grand Duke, one thing is sure, “Luxembourgers got to know you. Your charm and empathy won everyone over. Twenty years ago, my accession as sovereign represented a considerable responsibility and the help of my spouse is essential in the accomplishments of the tasks to which I am devoted. The monarchy is a couple’s affair, the sovereign has his place, of course, but with his spouse by his side. We offer an image and a model to societies that are looking for themselves, to families that recognize themselves in us. We represent/embody the nation. Which a solitary monarch cannot do. Besides, where would be the idea of transmission, that of sustainability of the institution and through it of the country, that the arrival of new generations induces."
 
A vision shared by the Grand Duchess. “The population lives with the rhythm of our family. The birth of Charles, last year, created a tremendous enthusiasm, a strong bond. It allows everyone to project themselves. As the wife of the head of state, my role is to be a link between the historical necessity of the institution and its connection to the present.  This is also why I know I am invested in causes such as education, violence, injustice.  My trip to the prisons of Burundi, the forum Stand Speak Rise Up against rape as a weapon of war, the forum on learning difficulties, and microfinances are all struggles of which I am proud to take on. They make it possible to put forward another image of Luxembourg, which is the country that gives the most in development aid as a percentage of GDP.  But everything that I have achieved has been thanks to my husband. He is my compass, he helps me a lot to find the right balance, to re-energize. He brings me his generosity every day, his immense kindness.”

The Grand Duke is not left out when it comes to his wife.  “Her enthusiasm is the most extraordinary thing. She has lots of ideas, which sometimes have to be channeled. She pulls me up. I tend to be too laid back, too strict, and she shines, allows me to see and realize things that I did not think I could do.” Of course, forty years do not go by without their share of wounds and dilemmas, of misunderstandings, whether intimate or in public life.  But Henri and Maria Teresa of Luxembourg have overcome it all. “We cannot bear to see each other in a state of real suffering, explains the Grand Duchess. It unites us every time; we are one. We have built ourselves together, we were 19 years old when we met.” The Grand Duke looks at his wife with infinite tenderness. "Given my status, I was overprotected, I had a few crushes, but you are the first one I ever dated, my one and only love."

His wife's eyes glowed for a moment. "We did not expressly set out to be the bride and groom of St. Valentine, as much less attention was paid to this holiday at the time, but we could not have chosen a better date. It was providential. This year, for February 14, it is possible that our children will plan a surprise. It will all depend on health restrictions.” As well as their plans to get together with their family for this special anniversary. “We will try to have a big party afterwards, to celebrate both the end of Covid and our 40 years of marriage.”  Because the need for a return to normal life, the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess share with their fellow citizens to whom their thoughts always bring them back. At a time when the country is 50% populated by non-Luxembourgers, the big challenge is that of integration. “We want to remain this welcoming land, and with diversity we succeed in being a model of social, economic and ecological development. We want to offer all the inhabitants of Luxembourg the happiness and harmony that we have known together.”

Ha ha ha ha so laid back and strict .... not possible.... an younger children working?? As if ... Felix married a only daughter of a very rich man who has funded their life .... and Henri too .... Louis is not smart enough to do anything other than enrol in courses daddy paid for .... Alex and Seb went to a Mid west college in US that is a Catholic place to keep family out of of sight .... to see this peddled again is delusional.... maybe MT could go visit Cuba and see her country .... Swiss schools are about finances and not substance

[Kristallinchen]

Below is my translation of the second half of this week's Point de Vue article on the 40th wedding anniversary of Henri and Maria Teresa. Interestingly, they were married on 14 February 1981, the same year as Charles and Diana.

The first ten years of marriage were those of the births of the hereditary couple’s five children. "Each time, I wondered if it would be possible to love my new child as much as the previous one. And yes, of course, love does not divide, it multiplies. We had the task of not weighing down our oldest child too early with the responsibility he would have to assume. To explain to the others that their brother would have a special life and that they would be much freer." And "that they would have to work for a living,” insists the Grand Duke. “This is the first generation where they all exercise a profession outside of the Crown."

Over the next decade, Henri and Maria Teresa balanced work and family life. They made their mark. "I already had the foundation" said the Grand Duchess, "and through it I looked at the social situations of my country. I defined the causes I wanted to defend, national and international. I was one of the first in the grand ducal family to go out, to go shopping, we both go to restaurants, to the cinema, and we raised our children in this open manner by sending them to public schools.

For the Grand Duke, one thing is sure, “Luxembourgers got to know you. Your charm and empathy won everyone over. Twenty years ago, my accession as sovereign represented a considerable responsibility and the help of my spouse is essential in the accomplishments of the tasks to which I am devoted. The monarchy is a couple’s affair, the sovereign has his place, of course, but with his spouse by his side. We offer an image and a model to societies that are looking for themselves, to families that recognize themselves in us. We represent/embody the nation. Which a solitary monarch cannot do. Besides, where would be the idea of transmission, that of sustainability of the institution and through it of the country, that the arrival of new generations induces."
 
A vision shared by the Grand Duchess. “The population lives with the rhythm of our family. The birth of Charles, last year, created a tremendous enthusiasm, a strong bond. It allows everyone to project themselves. As the wife of the head of state, my role is to be a link between the historical necessity of the institution and its connection to the present.  This is also why I know I am invested in causes such as education, violence, injustice.  My trip to the prisons of Burundi, the forum Stand Speak Rise Up against rape as a weapon of war, the forum on learning difficulties, and microfinances are all struggles of which I am proud to take on. They make it possible to put forward another image of Luxembourg, which is the country that gives the most in development aid as a percentage of GDP.  But everything that I have achieved has been thanks to my husband. He is my compass, he helps me a lot to find the right balance, to re-energize. He brings me his generosity every day, his immense kindness.”

The Grand Duke is not left out when it comes to his wife.  “Her enthusiasm is the most extraordinary thing. She has lots of ideas, which sometimes have to be channeled. She pulls me up. I tend to be too laid back, too strict, and she shines, allows me to see and realize things that I did not think I could do.” Of course, forty years do not go by without their share of wounds and dilemmas, of misunderstandings, whether intimate or in public life.  But Henri and Maria Teresa of Luxembourg have overcome it all. “We cannot bear to see each other in a state of real suffering, explains the Grand Duchess. It unites us every time; we are one. We have built ourselves together, we were 19 years old when we met.” The Grand Duke looks at his wife with infinite tenderness. "Given my status, I was overprotected, I had a few crushes, but you are the first one I ever dated, my one and only love."

His wife's eyes glowed for a moment. "We did not expressly set out to be the bride and groom of St. Valentine, as much less attention was paid to this holiday at the time, but we could not have chosen a better date. It was providential. This year, for February 14, it is possible that our children will plan a surprise. It will all depend on health restrictions.” As well as their plans to get together with their family for this special anniversary. “We will try to have a big party afterwards, to celebrate both the end of Covid and our 40 years of marriage.”  Because the need for a return to normal life, the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess share with their fellow citizens to whom their thoughts always bring them back. At a time when the country is 50% populated by non-Luxembourgers, the big challenge is that of integration. “We want to remain this welcoming land, and with diversity we succeed in being a model of social, economic and ecological development. We want to offer all the inhabitants of Luxembourg the happiness and harmony that we have known together.”

Ha ha ha ha so laid back and strict .... not possible.... an younger children working?? As if ... Felix married a only daughter of a very rich man who has funded their life .... and Henri too .... Louis is not smart enough to do anything other than enrol in courses daddy paid for .... Alex and Seb went to a Mid west college in US that is a Catholic place to keep family out of of sight .... to see this peddled again is delusional.... maybe MT could go visit Cuba and see her country .... Swiss schools are about finances and not substance

Reading this it seems like MT is the reigning Grand Duchess and Henri just her husband.

[Lady Adelaide]

They're trying way too hard. I don't buy it.

[ralf103]

Seems like they are trying too hard to make it all sound so amazingly lovely dovey perfectly perfect...divorce or abdication soon I reckon 

[Kristallinchen]

Seems like they are trying too hard to make it all sound so amazingly lovely dovey perfectly perfect...divorce or abdication soon I reckon 

They will never divorce. I think in their own way they still love eachother (Henri more MT than vice versa).

Abdication would be a good idea, but it won't happen soon. Henri would've to be forced like JC.

[Princess MS]

Seems like they are trying too hard to make it all sound so amazingly lovely dovey perfectly perfect...divorce or abdication soon I reckon 

They will never divorce. I think in their own way they still love eachother (Henri more MT than vice versa).

Abdication would be a good idea, but it won't happen soon. Henri would've to be forced like JC.

From what has been suggested Jean and JC were not a love match ..... which one had to be pushed more is a speculation .. but like most of their world it seemed to work .... they came to an accommodation and I'd think Jean was happy with his family.

His son made his choice and I suspect the "young love" and narrow life might not have been an equally happy outcome .... many stories about their relationship problems and other partners over the years ... but if they want to do the dream thing then fine

[desertrose]

I remember reading that Jean and JC had an arranged marriage and were both in love with commoners. Maybe she felt resentful when Henri was permitted to marry a commoner?

[Kristallinchen]

Seems like they are trying too hard to make it all sound so amazingly lovely dovey perfectly perfect...divorce or abdication soon I reckon 

They will never divorce. I think in their own way they still love eachother (Henri more MT than vice versa).

Abdication would be a good idea, but it won't happen soon. Henri would've to be forced like JC.

From what has been suggested Jean and JC were not a love match ..... which one had to be pushed more is a speculation .. but like most of their world it seemed to work .... they came to an accommodation and I'd think Jean was happy with his family.

His son made his choice and I suspect the "young love" and narrow life might not have been an equally happy outcome .... many stories about their relationship problems and other partners over the years ... but if they want to do the dream thing then fine

By JC I meant Juan Carlos of Spain and not Josephine Charlotte.

I don't know what happened between Jean and his wife. It may be that it was an arranged match, but whatever they made the best out of it and were equal partners, with both knowing their roles (and JC not pushing forward like MT now).

Forever it seemed like JC didn't like MT, because she was a commoner, but nowadays it seems more like she saw through her.

[Cordelia Fitzgerald]

For various reasons I had to step away from the world of royal-watching for a while, and now that I am back I find myself wondering if anything ever came of or changed as a result of the Waringo Report?

[Kristallinchen]

For various reasons I had to step away from the world of royal-watching for a while, and now that I am back I find myself wondering if anything ever came of or changed as a result of the Waringo Report?

No, it didn't.

[genegal43]

Seems like they are trying too hard to make it all sound so amazingly lovely dovey perfectly perfect...divorce or abdication soon I reckon 

They will never divorce. I think in their own way they still love eachother (Henri more MT than vice versa).

Abdication would be a good idea, but it won't happen soon. Henri would've to be forced like JC.

From what has been suggested Jean and JC were not a love match ..... which one had to be pushed more is a speculation .. but like most of their world it seemed to work .... they came to an accommodation and I'd think Jean was happy with his family.

His son made his choice and I suspect the "young love" and narrow life might not have been an equally happy outcome .... many stories about their relationship problems and other partners over the years ... but if they want to do the dream thing then fine

By JC I meant Juan Carlos of Spain and not Josephine Charlotte.

I don't know what happened between Jean and his wife. It may be that it was an arranged match, but whatever they made the best out of it and were equal partners, with both knowing their roles (and JC not pushing forward like MT now).

Forever it seemed like JC didn't like MT, because she was a commoner, but nowadays it seems more like she saw through her.

I know, hindsight it 20/20.  It does seem that JoChar saw right through her.

[Clover]

Her eyes are incredibly sad even though she's smiling.

[Princess MS]

Apparently Henri and MT gave an interview to Paris Match that included comments about the running of the Cour that was not authorised. There is a report in the Lux Times

https://luxtimes.lu/luxem...nterview-was-unauthorised

"Henri had complained that the formal role of his wife, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, was being "erased" in an interview with Paris Match from  3 February - a comment government-appointed Court Marshal Yuriko Backes said had not been agreed with her or with Bettel.

While the monarch is allowed to express himself freely about personal matters, the government must approve any state issues, including the reorganisation of the court after a report last year found a "climate of fear" among staff and a lack of financial transparency."

He must have lost his marbles. The partner of the GD has no official role - she /he is there to provide support to the GD and their family. Clearly MT is behind this .... she set up her own Court and ruled the roost and does not like being told "NO". Had she behaved appropriately then noone would probably have smacked her down - they would have given her "an inch" here and there but she took "a mile(s)" every chance she got.

Karma . . .

 

[Oh_Caroline]

It's very clear that an abdication is sorely needed.  While I'll feel for Guillaume and Stephanie, I do find comfort that the sentiment is that the consort's role is one of supportive spouse and parent.  That sentiment will definitely help Stephanie compared to other monarchies.  At this point Henri needs to be told that abdication is the only way and once done sent off to France and basically told not to return.  The Cour would need to shield Guillaume and Stephanie for Henri and MT for a period of time but with support and careful planning Guillaume and Stephanie might just surprise us.