New Year's reception of the grand ducal family: Maria Teresa in Elie Saab and the princesses take out their tiaras Royal Stories

Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg organized his traditional New Year's reception for the country's high dignitaries this Thursday, January 18, 2024. The Luxembourg ruler was accompanied by his wife and some of their children and children-in-law. Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, dressed as Elie Saab, Princess Alexandra and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie had brought out their tiaras.

Also read: Pregnant Princess Alexandra's first appearance: vine leaf tiara and gala outfit with Nicolas

Henri and Maria Teresa from Luxembourg with their children and children-in-law at the New Year's reception 2024

Every year, the Luxembourg head of state invites political representatives and high-ranking officials of Luxembourg to the Grand Ducal Palace. The New Year's Reception is a tradition that allows the ruler and his family to wish the country's highest dignitaries a happy new year. Among them are the Prime Minister and members of his government, the President of the Chamber of Deputies and parliamentary representatives, as well as other high-ranking officials of the judiciary.

New Year39s reception of the grand ducal family Maria TeresaNicolas Bagory, Princess Alexandra, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, Grand Duke Henri, Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie, Prince Louis at the New Year's Reception 2024 (Photo: Maison du Grand-Duc /Sophie Margue)

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Grand Duke Henri in his dress uniform was imitated by his eldest son, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume. Prince Félix, second son of the grand ducal couple, was absent and breastfeeding his youngest child. Prince Félix and Princess Claire welcomed their third child, Prince Balthasar, on January 7th.

1705664424 815 New Year39s reception of the grand ducal family Maria TeresaGrand Duke Henri organizes his traditional New Year's reception at the Grand Ducal Palace (Photo: Maison du Grand-Duc/Sophie Margue)

1705664426 198 New Year39s reception of the grand ducal family Maria TeresaGrand Duchess Maria Teresa speaks with Prime Minister Luc Frieden (Photo: Maison du Grand-Duc/Sophie Margue)

Prince Louis, third son of the grand ducal couple, was present and, like his brother-in-law, respected the white tie dress code. Nicolas Bagory attended this reception for the first time. Last April, he joined the grand ducal family by marrying Princess Alexandra, the only daughter of the grand ducal couple's five children. The youngest of the siblings, Prince Sébastien, was not present this year.

1705664428 242 New Year39s reception of the grand ducal family Maria TeresaPrince Louis discusses with Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, Archbishop of Luxembourg (Photo: Maison du Grand-Duc/Kary Barthelmey)

1705664430 70 New Year39s reception of the grand ducal family Maria TeresaThe New Year's reception at the Grand Ducal Palace is organized at the beginning of the year (Photo: Maison du Grand Duc/Kary Barthelmey)

1705664431 146 New Year39s reception of the grand ducal family Maria TeresaThe heir couple sits with a guest (Photo: Maison du Grand-Duc/Sophie Margue)

Also read: Princess Claire of Luxembourg gives birth to her third child

Tiaras and gala outfits in the Grand Ducal Palace to welcome the country's high dignitaries

Grand Duchess Maria Teresa wore a floral off-the-shoulder dress from Lebanese designer Elie Saab's new Resort 2024 collection. The Grand Duchess of Luxembourg is particularly fond of this fashion house. At her daughter Alexandra's wedding, she wore an Elie Saab outfit that made an impression. Princess Alexandra herself wore a wedding dress by Elie Saab.

1705664433 925 New Year39s reception of the grand ducal family Maria TeresaGrand Duchess Maria Teresa in a dress by Elie Saab and with the Belgian buckle tiara (Photo: Maison du Grand-Duc/Sophie Margue)

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This Thursday, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg wore the Belgian tiara with buckles. This diamond-studded ornate tiara is a wedding gift given to Princess Joséphine-Charlotte of Belgium, later Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, during her marriage to the future Grand Duke Jean in 1953.

1705664435 231 New Year39s reception of the grand ducal family Maria TeresaHereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie with a guest (Photo: Maison du Grand-Duc/Kary Barthelmey)

1705664437 54 New Year39s reception of the grand ducal family Maria TeresaStéphanie of Luxembourg wears the Grand Duchess Adelaide's headband tiara, which has a sapphire in the center (Photo: Maison du Grand-Duc/Kary Barthelmey)

Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie wore a white dress by Marchesa. On her head she wore the Grand Duchess Adelaide's headband tiara. This is probably one of the oldest tiaras of the grand ducal family. It was Grand Duchess Adelaide, wife of Grand Duke Adolphe, the first Luxembourg ruler of the Nassau-Weilburg dynasty, who first wore this tiara at the end of the 19th century. The tiara is made up of plants such as leaves and berries that flow towards the center of the piece where there is a large sapphire.

1705664439 426 New Year39s reception of the grand ducal family Maria TeresaPrincess Alexandra makes her first public appearance with Nicolas Bagory since announcing her pregnancy. The princess wears the vine leaf tiara (Photo: Maison du Grand-Duc/Sophie Margue)

1705664440 20 New Year39s reception of the grand ducal family Maria TeresaPrincess Alexandra with the orange ribbon of the Lady Grand Cross of the Order of the Golden Lion of the House of Nassau (Photo: House of the Grand Duke /Kary Barthelmey)

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Princess Alexandra, who made her first public appearance since announcing her pregnancy, was accompanied by her husband Nicolas Bagory. Princess Alexandra wore the vine leaf tiara, a delicate piece of jewelry that her sister-in-law Princess Claire planned to wear at her wedding to Prince Felix in 2013.

1705664442 709 New Year39s reception of the grand ducal family Maria TeresaPrince Louis interacts with guests (Photo: Maison du Grand-Duc/Sophie Margue)

1705664444 364 New Year39s reception of the grand ducal family Maria TeresaGovernment members were invited to the reception. Georges Mischo, Minister of Sport and Minister of Labor, in conversation with Eric Thill (from behind), Minister of Culture, and Max Hahn, Minister of Families (Photo: Maison du Grand-Duc/Sophie Margue)

The grand ducal family mingled with the crowd and were able to interact with many guests. Due to the recent formation of a new government, the event featured many new faces. Two months ago, Luc Frieden succeeded Xavier Bettel as Prime Minister, a position he held for almost ten years.

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Nicolas Fontaine

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Nicolas Fontaine has been an independent web editor since 2014. After working as a copywriter and author for numerous Belgian and French brands and media, he specialized in royal news. Nicolas is now editor-in-chief of Histoires Royales. [email protected]