The Grand Ducal Palace is located in Luxembourg City. This palace is the home of Luxembourg’s Grand Duke and dates to the early part of the 16th century. Much of the palace features the same architecture from these years. Extensive renovations were conducted in the 1990s and added modern conveniences. The Grand Ducal Palace is also where the Grand Duke performs his duties as the head of state.
From 1572 to 1795, the Grand Ducal Palace was Luxembourg’s first City Hall. In 1817, it became the seat of the Luxembourg government.
Beginning in 1817, the Grand Ducal Palace was used as the residence for the governor of Luxembourg. The governor represented the grand dukes and performed many of the official duties as head of state. Prince Henry was one of the first governors who used this palace as his residence. Prior to a visit in 1883 by Grand Duke William II and the Grand Duchess Emma, his wife, the palace was renovated. In 1890, the palace was used exclusively by the Grand Duke. Adolphe II began a host of renovations and relied on the expertise of the Belgian Gedeon Bordiau to design a new wing and add guest accommodations to the palace. Charles Arendt, the Luxembourg state architect helped Bordiau design many of the changes.
During World War II, the Nazis took over the Grand Ducal Palace and used it as a drinking hall and concert venue. A host of damage was done to the palace, and much of the furniture and art that was found in the building was ruined. Grand Duchess Charlotte returned to Luxembourg at the end of World War II. She began an extensive renovation of the palace and redecorated the building. After 1946, the Grand Ducal Palace once again became the residence of Luxembourg’s court.
More thorough renovation projects were undertaken during the early 1990s. These projects were aimed to bring the Grand Ducal Palace up to date and ensure modern conveniences were provided to the new residents. Renovations updated both the interior and exterior of the Grand Ducal Palace between 1991 and 1996. These renovations matched the palace to the features of modern life and restored the grandeur of the Duke’s residence.
The Grand Ducal Guard was stationed at the front of the palace from 1945 to 1966. These soldiers were replaced by garrisons from the Luxembourg military in 1966. The Luxembourg military still provides soldiers today who perform guard duties in front of the Grand Ducal Palace.
Today, the Grand Duke uses the palace as his residence and to conduct the affairs of state. The Duke and the Duchess live in the palace along with many of their staff members. There are offices and rooms on the ground floor of the palace that are used to provide state functions and hold government meetings. The Grand Duke broadcasts his Christmas message from the Yellow Room every year.
Beginning in 1817, the Grand Ducal Palace was used as the residence for the governor of Luxembourg. The governor represented the grand dukes and performed many of the official duties as head of state. Prince Henry was one of the first governors who used this palace as his residence. Prior to a visit in 1883 by Grand Duke William II and the Grand Duchess Emma, his wife, the palace was renovated. In 1890, the palace was used exclusively by the Grand Duke. Adolphe II began a host of renovations and relied on the expertise of the Belgian Gedeon Bordiau to design a new wing and add guest accommodations to the palace. Charles Arendt, the Luxembourg state architect helped Bordiau design many of the changes.
During World War II, the Nazis took over the Grand Ducal Palace and used it as a drinking hall and concert venue. A host of damage was done to the palace, and much of the furniture and art that was found in the building was ruined. Grand Duchess Charlotte returned to Luxembourg at the end of World War II. She began an extensive renovation of the palace and redecorated the building. After 1946, the Grand Ducal Palace once again became the residence of Luxembourg’s court.
More thorough renovation projects were undertaken during the early 1990s. These projects were aimed to bring the Grand Ducal Palace up to date and ensure modern conveniences were provided to the new residents. Renovations updated both the interior and exterior of the Grand Ducal Palace between 1991 and 1996. These renovations matched the palace to the features of modern life and restored the grandeur of the Duke’s residence.
The Grand Ducal Guard was stationed at the front of the palace from 1945 to 1966. These soldiers were replaced by garrisons from the Luxembourg military in 1966. The Luxembourg military still provides soldiers today who perform guard duties in front of the Grand Ducal Palace.
Today, the Grand Duke uses the palace as his residence and to conduct the affairs of state. The Duke and the Duchess live in the palace along with many of their staff members. There are offices and rooms on the ground floor of the palace that are used to provide state functions and hold government meetings. The Grand Duke broadcasts his Christmas message from the Yellow Room every year.
RSS Feed