Luxembourg set to cut monarchy’s role

The Associated Press - December 10, 2008.

LUXEMBOURG - Like other European monarchs, Luxembourg’s Grand Duke Henri is limited to a ceremonial role — but no law can go into effect without his formal assent.

So when he stunned his 480,000 subjects by refusing to give his royal blessing to a euthanasia law adopted by parliament, this tiny country shoehorned between Belgium, Germany and France was thrown into crisis.

On Thursday, the 60-member legislature votes on a constitutional change that strips Henri of his power to “approve” legislation adopted in parliament, limiting him only to announcing — or “promulgating” — the decisions made by lawmakers.

Euthanasia row sparks constitutional crisis in Luxembourg

AFP – December 2, 2008.

LUXEMBOURG - Luxembourg was plunged into a constitutional crisis on Tuesday after the sovereign, Grand Duke Henri, threatened to block a law legalising euthanasia if it is passed by parliament.

Big surprises in a little European country

 

The Grand Ducal Palace of Luxembourg, a country about the size of Rhode Island at 998 square miles, is in the historic center of Luxembourg City.

 

I had thought of Luxembourg as the smallest country in Europe. Then I opened my atlas and found that Luxembourg comes in sixth, behind Andorra, on a list of continental Europe’s dinkiest nations.

It is almost as big as Rhode Island, with an area of 998 square miles and nearly half a million people. You can drive across the grand duchy in 30 minutes. It looks so much like neighboring Germany, France and Belgium that you would miss it if you didn’t know it was there.

But I was watching for Luxembourg when I crossed into it, intending to get to know a little, lost European country right out of the Brothers Grimm. Apparently I was in denial that it joined modern Europe long ago.

Film focus on Royal’s patriotic wartime mission

This Is Local London – October 16, 2008

The life of Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxemburg, who inspired her nation throughout its wartime occupation, has been made into film –thanks to a director, star and camera operator, all from Harpenden. Paola Dellafiora spoke to producer Lynn Rothwell about feature documentary Charlotte: A Royal at War.

Ambassador Girma Presents Credentials to the Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg

The Eritrean Ambassador to the European Union and Belgium, Mr. Girma Asmerom, presented his credentials on October 2 to King Henri of Luxembourg.