The then Hereditary Grand Duke Jean met Princess Joséphine-Charlotte of Belgium as she visited her godmother, Jean’s mother, Grand Duchess Charlotte, in Fischbach in 1948.
Their engagement was announced on 26 December 1952, and the New York Times reported, “Their marriage, for which no date was announced, will link members of two of the reigning families in Europe. The 25-year-old princess is the sister of Belgium’s King Baudouin and is the oldest child of former King Leopold of Belgium and the late Queen Astrid. Grand Duke 1 Jean is the oldest child of Grand Duchess Charlotte, ruler of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and her consort, Prince Felix. The princess is popular here. She was hailed by huge crowds when she came to Belgium in 1949 from Switzerland, where the Belgian royal family took up residence after the Belgian Parliament had voted King Leopold off the throne.”2
They were married on 9 April 1953. The civil marriage took place in the Hall of Ceremonies of the Grand Ducal Palace.
Many members of foreign royal families were in attendance, such as King Baudouin of the Belgians and Queen Juliana of the Netherlands. Unfortunately, the British royals were unable to attend as they were in mourning for Queen Mary.
Princess Joséphine-Charlotte wore a gown of “organza, a light, natural white silk, in two layers, with white tulle between. Pleated flounces lined the neck and the V-shaped décolleté. The sleeves were narrowed to the wrists. Her hand-made lace gloves were spread in gauntlet fashion around the wrists. Her train of hand-made needle-point and pillow lace, with flower motifs on an organza backing, was fourteen feet long and almost as wide. The nuptial veil of tulle, lined with hand-made lace and attached by a platinum diadem studded with 855 diamonds, reached the whole length of the train.”2 Her younger half-brother Prince Alexandre was the trainbearer.
The religious service took place in Luxembourg Cathedral with 2,500 guests. During the short drive to the cathedral, the royal couple were cheered on by a huge crowd. Afterwards, the couple returned to the palace, where they repeatedly appeared on the balcony. Around 750 guests attended the following reception at the palace.
The couple went on to have five children together, including the current Grand Duke – Henri.
- He was, in fact, the Hereditary Grand Duke
- The New York Times
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