Charlotte | |
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The Grand Duchess in 1942 | |
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Reign | 14 January 1919 - 12 November 1964 ( | 45 years, 303 days)
Predecessor | Marie-Adélaïde |
Successor | Jean |
Spouse | Felix of Bourbon-Parma |
Issue | |
Jean, Grand Duke of Luxembourg Elizabeth, Duchess of Hohenberg Adélaide, Countess of Donnersmarck Gabriele, Countess of Holstein-Ledreborg Prince Charles Alix, Princess of Ligne |
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House | House of Nassau-Weilburg House of Bourbon-Parma |
Father | William IV, Grand Duke of Luxembourg |
Mother | Infanta Marie Anne of Portugal |
Born | 23 January 1896 Berg Castle, Luxembourg |
Died | 9 July 1985 Fischbach Castle, Fischbach, Luxembourg |
(aged 89)
Charlotte, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg (Luxembourgish: Charlotte Adelgonde Élise/Elisabeth Marie Wilhelmine vu Lëtzebuerg; Schloss Berg, 23 January 1896 – Schloss Fischbach, 9 July 1985) was the reigning Grand Duchess of Luxembourg from 1919 to 1964.
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Charlotte was the second daughter of William IV, Grand Duke of Luxembourg and his wife Infanta Marie Anne of Portugal. Her maternal grandparents were King Miguel of Portugal and Princess Adelaide of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg.
When her older sister Marie-Adélaïde, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, who had succeeded their father, was forced to abdicate on 14 January 1919, Charlotte became the one who had to deal with the revolutionary tendencies in the country. Unlike her sister, she chose not to meddle with its politics.
In a referendum about the new constitution on 28 September 1919, 77.8% of the Luxembourgish people voted for the continuation of a Grand Ducal monarchy with Charlotte as head of state. In this constitution, the power of the monarch was severely restricted.
During the German occupation of Luxembourg in World War II, Charlotte, exiled in London, became an important symbol of national unity.
On 6 November 1919 in Luxembourg, she married Prince Felix of Bourbon-Parma, a first cousin on her mother's side. (Both Charlotte and Felix were grandchildren of King Miguel of Portugal through his daughters Maria Anna and Maria Antonia, respectively). With the marriage, their lineal descent was raised in style from Grand Ducal Highness to Royal Highness. The union produced six children:
Name | Date of birth | Date of death | Spouses |
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Jean, Grand Duke of Luxembourg | 5 January 1921 | Princess Joséphine-Charlotte of Belgium (1927–2005) | |
Elizabeth, Duchess of Hohenberg | 22 December 1922 | 22 November 2011 | (aged 88)Franz, Duke of Hohenberg (1927–1977) |
Marie Adalaide, Countess Henckel von Donnersmarck | 21 May 1924 | 28 February 2007 | (aged 82)Karl Josef Graf Henckel von Donnersmarck (1928–2008) |
Marie Gabriele, Countess of Holstein-Ledreborg | 2 August 1925 | Knud Johan, Count of Holstein-Ledreborg (1919–2001) | |
Charles, Prince of Luxembourg | 7 August 1927 | 26 July 1977 | (aged 49)Joan Douglas Dillon (1935-) |
Alix, Princess of Ligne | 24 August 1929 | Antoine, 13th Prince of Ligne (1925–2005) |
On 12 November 1964, she abdicated in favour of her son, Prince Jean, who then reigned until 2000.
Charlotte died on 9 July 1985, from cancer. She was interred in the Ducal Crypt of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in the city of Luxembourg.
Had she not abdicated, she would have reigned for a total of
66 years, 173 days.She was the 366th Grand Cross of the Order of the Tower and Sword.
Monarchical styles of Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg |
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Reference style | Her Royal Highness |
Spoken style | Your Royal Highness |
Alternative style | Ma'am |
Charlotte, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg
Born: 23 January 1896 Died: 6 July 1985 |
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Regnal titles | ||
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Preceded by Marie-Adélaïde |
Grand Duchess of Luxembourg 1919–1964 |
Succeeded by Jean |
Royal titles | ||
Preceded by Princess Marie-Adélaïde of Luxembourg |
Heir to the throne of Luxembourg as heiress presumptive 1912–1919 |
Succeeded by Princess Hilda of Luxembourg |
Titles in pretence | ||
Preceded by Marie-Adélaïde |
— TITULAR — Duke of Nassau 1919–1964 Reason for succession failure: Duchy annexed by Prussia in 1866 |
Succeeded by Jean |
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