Royal shock: Luxembourg’s Grand Duke issues statement defending wife- ‘Why attack a woman'
LUXEMBOURG's Grand Duke Henri has issued a heartfelt statement defending his wife, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, from "unfair accusations".
Prince Guillaume and Princess Stephanie marry in 2012
Henri, who has been the Grand Duke of Luxembourg since 2000, spoke in favour of his wife the Grand Duchess and the causes she has fought for since marrying him in 1981. In a lengthy statement, the Grand Duke said he had given Prime Minister Xaviel Bettel the go-ahead to carry out an internal analysis to shine a light on the allegations made by local weekly newspaper Letzebuerger Land.
Sources have claimed the Grand Duchess’s staff handling has caused almost a third of the people employed by the royal household to quit or be dismissed since 2015.
However, the Grand Duke rejected any allegations against his wife and fiercely defended her as a “woman who speaks up for other women”.
In his statement, written from the bedside of his brother-in-law, Luis Mestre, who is in intensive care in Geneva, the Grand Duke said: “As we await publication of the report, and indeed throughout this process, articles have appeared in the media making unfair accusations against my wife, the mother of our five children and a devoted grandmother.
“This is taking its toll on my whole family.
“Why attack a woman? A woman who speaks up for other women?
“A woman who is not even being given the right to defend herself?
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“Since I came to the throne, it has been our shared desire to help modernise our constitutional monarchy, and we wish to continue to contribute to this process.
“The causes my wife has fought for, which I have always supported and which we will continue to fight for, are vitally important.
“This work includes campaigning against dyslexia, fighting sexual violence, improving the status of imprisoned children in Africa, helping to develop microfinance and promoting education for young girls and women.
“I am proud of the commitment, intelligence and energy my wife brings to bear in all this work.
“The devotion she has shown over the past 39 years to serving our country by my side is exemplary and is of essential importance to me.”
The Grand Duke indirectly addressed rumours alleging he could step down following this inquiry.
He concluded the statement saying: “We will continue to serve you, to be there for you and for Luxembourg.
“Especially at this crucial time, when our children are setting out on a family life of their own, we feel bound as parents to ensure that they can make the most of these precious years as our heirs.”
In its article, Lëtzebuerger Land alleged that the Grand Duchess has a temper and does what she wants as no one dares to confront her.
An MP for the left-wing party LSAP, Alex Bodry, added that the allegations against Maria Teresa came from sources within the palace.
Following the wave of resignation by members of the royal household, the Government has launched an inquiry looking into how decisive has been the role of Maria Teresa in the departure of so many members of the royal staff.
The investigation report is due to be submitted to the Prime Minister in the coming weeks.