Charlotte | |||||
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The Grand Duchess in 1942
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Grand Duchess of Luxembourg | |||||
Reign | 14 January 1919 – 12 November 1964 | ||||
Predecessor | Marie-Adélaïde | ||||
Successor | Jean | ||||
Born |
Berg Castle, Luxembourg |
23 January 1896||||
Died | 9 July 1985 Fischbach Castle, Fischbach, Luxembourg |
(aged 89)||||
Burial | Notre-Dame Cathedral | ||||
Spouse | Prince Felix of Bourbon-Parma | ||||
Issue |
Jean, Grand Duke of Luxembourg Princess Elisabeth, Duchess von Hohenberg Marie Adelaide, Countess Henckel von Donnesmarck Princess Marie Gabrielle, Dowager Countess af Holstein-Ledredborg Prince Charles Alix, Dowager Princess de Ligne |
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House | Nassau-Weilburg | ||||
Father | William IV, Grand Duke of Luxembourg | ||||
Mother | Infanta Marie Anne of Portugal | ||||
Religion | Catholicism |
Full name | |
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Charlotte Adelgonde Elisabeth Marie Wilhelmine |
Styles of Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg |
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Reference style | Her Royal Highness |
Spoken style | Your Royal Highness |
Charlotte (Charlotte Adelgonde Élise/Elisabeth Marie Wilhelmine; 23 January 1896 – 9 July 1985) reigned as Grand Duchess of Luxembourg from 1919 until her abdication in 1964.
She acceded to the throne on 14 January 1919 following the abdication of her sister, Marie-Adélaïde, due to political pressure. There had been controversies surrounding some of Marie-Adélaïde’s actions and calls for her abdication by some began to appear in parliament due to her being seen as cordial to the Germans that occupied Luxembourg during the First World War. Later, a double referendum on whether to retain the monarchy or become a republic and on the economic orientation of the country was held on 28 September 1919. In it, the majority voted to retain Charlotte as grand duchess.
She married Prince Felix of Bourbon-Parma on 6 November 1919 with whom she would have six children. Following the 1940 German invasion of Luxembourg during the Second World War, Charlotte went into exile first in France, then Portugal, the United Kingdom, and North America. While in London, she began making broadcasts to the people of Luxembourg. She would return to Luxembourg in April 1945.
She abdicated in 1964 and was succeeded by her son Jean. Charlotte died from cancer on 9 July 1985.
Born in Berg Castle, Charlotte of Nassau-Weilburg, Princess of Luxembourg, was the second daughter of Grand Duke William IV and his wife, Marie Anne of Portugal.
When her older sister, Marie-Adélaide, who had succeeded their father, was forced to abdicate on 14 January 1919, Charlotte became the one who had to deal with the revolutionary tendencies in the country. Unlike her sister, she chose not to interfere in its politics.