Grand Duke pays tribute to his great-grandfather

Luxembourg's Grand Duke and Duchess paid tribute to a former monarch during a visit to Weilburg in Germany on Saturday.

The trip was aimed at celebrating the centenary of the death of Guillaume IV, who reigned in Luxembourg from 1905 until his death in 1912 and is the great-grandfather of Grand Duke Henri.

During their visit, Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa also inaugurated a statue in memory of Grand Duke Adolphe, Guillaume IV's father.

Guillaume IV's story was, for some time, one of forbidden love.

After falling for Princess Marie-Anne of Braganza when he was 32 years old, the young prince was forbidden from marrying her because his family were strict Lutherans and the princess was catholic.

But when Duke Adolphe ascended to the throne in 1890, he became sovereign of a catholic population and the match acquired his approval.

The couple married in 1893 and had six daughters, who grew up in the catholic faith. When he fell seriously ill in 1907, Guillaume IV chose his daughter, Marie-Adelaide, then 13 years old, as his successor.