It’s been three months since Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg became Grand Duke of the European nation. These early months have been a season of firsts for the monarch and his wife, Grand Duchess Stéphanie.
On Wednesday, they stepped into the spotlight as hosts for the very first time, welcoming guests to the Grand Ducal Palace for the traditional New Year’s reception, a glittering evening at the highest level.
The Grand Dukes greeted the president, members of the Chamber of Deputies, the prime minister, representatives from the Council of State, senior judicial officials, members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Luxembourg, and figures from European institutions.
The aim of this elegant gathering was simple yet profound, to exchange New Year’s wishes, ideas, and cordial greetings with the country’s top officials. In total, 300 guests attended, accompanied by their partners.
For this dazzling occasion, the Grand Duchess chose a fuchsia pink chiffon gown with sheer sleeves and a plunging V-neckline, paired with a show-stopping pearl-and-citrine set. It was a tribute to the House of Nassau, Luxembourg’s dynastic family since 1890.
Both Guillaume and Stéphanie wore the orange sash of the Order of the Lion of the House of Nassau, the only order shared by the Grand Duke of Luxembourg and the King of the Netherlands.
When it comes to jewels, Stéphanie played it perfectly safe yet impeccably chic, donning the bandeau tiara of pearls and citrine. A piece she has worn on many occasions as a princess.
The tiara’s origin is somewhat mysterious, though it first appeared in public in 1976 on Princess Margaretha, sister of Grand Duke Henri, during a state banquet hosted by her father for Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to Luxembourg. Typically, the tiara is paired with matching earrings and a necklace, as Stéphanie did perfectly.
The warm orange of the citrines, possibly topaz, echoes the orange of the Nassau Lion Order. These colors, orange and blue, hark back to the old Duchy of Nassau, where Duke Adolphe lived before ascending as Grand Duke of Luxembourg. Orange also recalls the House of Orange, the Dutch royal family, who ruled Luxembourg until 1890.
It was, in every sense, the first great gala for Luxembourg’s new Grand Dukes, and Stéphanie, radiant in pearls and citrines, certainly made an unforgettable debut.
With this sparkling debut behind them, all eyes are now on the Grand Dukes of Luxembourg and the new era they are ushering in. If Wednesday’s evening was any indication, Stéphanie and Guillaume are poised to blend tradition with fresh glamour, offering both elegance and warmth in equal measure. Guests left the palace buzzing with admiration, eager to see what dazzling moments and royal firsts lie ahead for this captivating couple.