I make no comment on the allegations themselves, having seen or heard no evidence but its seem inconceivable the Government could produce a critical report about the Grand Duchess and then not recommend some ways to remedy the situation/prevent it happening again. If the Grand Duke refuses to accept negative conclusions (if they are made), which he has already made clear he will not, surely it creates a constitutional crisis?
Assuming the Prime Minister's report confirms the press reports, the Grand Duke will surely have no option but to abdicate or to essentially retire his wife, which it is also clear from this statement he will not.
The idea that she can continue in any official capacity if the Prime Minister concludes the allegations are factual seems inconceivable to me. The impartiality and judgement of the Grand Duke would also be brought into question.
By the way which brother-in-law is sick? I wasn't aware that Princess Margaretha or Archduchess Marie-Astrid's husband was sick or is referring to one of his wife's brothers-in-law?
I guess the Grand Ducal Family is trying to get ahead of the news stories by issuing this bid for sympathy (for that is how it reads) before the substance of the report comes out. If the stories we have seen are truly inaccurate, then the statement makes sense. But if the stories accurately represent the findings of the Waringo report, the statement does not help. It is curiously personal (the mention of the sick brother, the allusion to grandchildren and to the Hereditary Couple's family situation) and impersonal (the focus on Grand Duchess MT's work). I just read on another board that GD Henri also spends a great deal of time commuting to Paris. If everyone in the family is absentee, not just MT, that does seem to be a legitimate source of grievance, and may explain the angry defensiveness of this statement. The pictures, by the way, are a very strange addition to the statement.
So how will he solve the issue?
Does this statement not make things worse?
Links to luxembourg newspaper wort.lu:
(in German)
https://www.wort.lu/de/politik/grossherzog-reagiert-auf-waringo-bericht-5e2eae3bda2cc1784e354d34
and in French:
https://www.wort.lu/fr/luxembourg/nous-allons-continuer-a-vous-servir-5e2eb237da2cc1784e354d37
Text in English:
Message from HRH THE GRAND DUKE:
" I address you from the intensive care unit where my brother-in-law is hospitalized in Geneva.
Moved by a spirit of opening, transparency and modernity, I accepted that the mission that the prime minister wished to perform.
In The course of all this mission, and waiting for the corresponding report, articles have been published in the media, in which my wife, mother of our five children and grandma, has been unfairly put into question. This has affected my whole family.
What's the point of attacking a woman?
To a woman who defends other women?
To a woman who is not even allowed to defend herself?
Since my arrival to the throne we have wanted to contribute together to the modernisation of our constitutional monarchy, and it is our wish to continue on the same path
The causes of my wife, who have always deserved my support and those who will continue to dedicate our efforts, are of fundamental importance: the fight against dyslexia, the fight against sexual violence, the situation of minors imprisoned in Africa, the development of Microfinance, and the education of youth and women. I am proud of the commitment, intelligence and effort with which my wife carries out all her activities. Your delivery to the service of our country, by my side, for 39 years is exemplary and I find it indispensable.
We will continue at your service, working for you and Luxembourg. Especially at this crucial moment in which our children start a family life, we consider our duty of parents to allow them to enjoy these precious years in their quality of hereditary princes.
Henry Henry
Great Duke of Luxembourg
Geneva, January 26, 2020 "
1190
Message Thread
« Back to index