Maria Teresa, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg
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| Maria Teresa Mestre | ||
|---|---|---|
| Grand Duchess of Luxembourg | ||
| Grand Duchess Maria Teresa and Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg | ||
| Titles | HRH The Grand Duchess of Luxembourg (2001-) HRH The Hereditary Grand Duchess of Luxembourg (1981-2001) Miss Maria Teresa Mestre (1956-1981) |
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| Born | March 22, 1956 (age 51) | |
| Havana, Cuba | ||
| Consort | October 7, 2001 - present | |
| Consort to | Henri | |
| Issue | Guillaume, Félix, Louis, Alexandra, Sébastien | |
| Father | José Antonio Mestre | |
| Mother | Maria Teresa Batista-Falla de Mestre | |
Maria Teresa, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg (born in Havana, Cuba March 22, 1956) is the grand ducal consort of Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg.
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[edit] Early life and education
She was born in Havana, Cuba, to José Antonio Mestre and Maria Teresa Batista-Falla de Mestre. In October 1959, at the time of the revolution, Maria Teresa Mestre left Cuba with her parents. The family settled in New York where, as a young girl, she was a pupil at Marymount School. From 1961 she carried on her studies at the Lycée Français. In her childhood, Maria Teresa Mestre took ballet and singing courses. She practices skiing, ice-skating and water sports. She lived in New York City, Santander, Spain and Geneva, where she met the Grand Duke.
In 1980 she graduated from the University of Geneva in political sciences. Miss Mestre met Prince Henri at this university. For four years they both carried on similar studies, working sometimes in the same study groups. Miss Mestre was for instance, the author of a report comparing legislation concerning women and motherhood within the European Union.
[edit] Social and human interests
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During the same period she took an ever increasing interest in social and human problems, following the family tradition which had brought her grand-parents to devote themselves actively to philanthropy and cultural tasks in Cuba.
Besides her studies, Miss Mestre was a member of a group in Geneva taking care of the residents of old people's homes. She also taught children in a Geneva classroom.
Spanish is her native language, and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa knows French thoroughly, having carried on her studies at the French School (Lycée Français) and in Switzerland. When she was young, she learned English. After her marriage she learned Luxembourgish, and she also speaks German and Italian.
In 2006, the Grand Duchess received the Path to Peace Award from a Holy See Foundation for her "relentless contribution to humanitarian causes."
[edit] Marriage & Family
Maria Teresa Mestre married Prince Henri of Luxembourg on February 14, 1981. They have five children, four sons and one daughter:
- Prince Guillaume, born on November 11, 1981.
- Prince Félix, born June 3, 1984.
- Prince Louis, born August 3, 1986.
- Princess Alexandra, born February 16, 1991.
- Prince Sébastien, born April 16, 1992.
and one grandson :
- Gabriel de Nassau (b. 2006, son of Prince Louis)
| Styles of Maria Theresa, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg |
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| Reference style | Her Royal Highness |
| Spoken style | Your Royal Highness |
| Alternative style | Ma'am |
