Queen Elizabeth II and Grand Duke Jean, who led their respective countries for much of the latter half of the 20 th century, during the state visit by the British monarch in 1976. © Photothèque de la Ville de Luxembourg/Marcel Tockert

Queen Elizabeth II and Grand Duke Jean, who led their respective countries for much of the latter half of the 20 th century, during the state visit by the British monarch in 1976. © Photothèque de la Ville de Luxembourg/Marcel Tockert

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Queen Elizabeth II and Grand Duke Jean, who led their respective countries for much of the latter half of the 20 th century, during the state visit by the British monarch in 1976. © Photothèque de la Ville de Luxembourg/Marcel Tockert
Grand Duke Jean welcome Queen Elizabeth II at Findel airport on 8 November 1976 for the start of the first official state visit by a British monarch to Luxembourg.  National archives/Marcel Tockert
 Shprtly after arrival, the queen and grand duke posed for the cameras Photothèque de la Ville de Luxembourg/Marcel Tockert
Queen Elizabeth II at the eternal flame of the national monument of solidarity on the Kanounenhiwwel  National archives
Queen Elizabeth II and Grand Duke Jean greet well wishers as they leave the palace Photothèque de la Ville de Luxembourg/Marcel Tockert
Prime minister Gaston Thorn, city mayor Colette Flesch, Queen Elizabeth II, Grand Duke Jean, the Duke of Edinburgh and Grand Duchess Josephine-Charlotte on the place d’Armes.  National archives

The funeral of Queen Elizabeth II takes place in London on Monday 19 September. Here we look back at her official state visit to the grand duchy in 1976.

When Queen Elizabeth II landed at Findel airport on 8 November 1976, it was her first official visit to a member country of what was then called the European Community since Britain joined the bloc in 1973.

The Queen and the Prince Philipp, the Duke of Edinburgh, were welcomed at the airport by Grand Duke Jean and Grand Duchess Josephine-Charlotte accompanied by Crown Prince Henri and prime minister Gaston Thorn 

The couple had a packed programme during the three-day visit – the first official visit by a British monarch to Luxembourg – that started with paying respects at the national monument of solidarity and the eternal flame on the Kanounenhiwwel.

A reception at the Cercle Cité, then mayor of Luxembourg Colette Flesch spoke of joy and emotion that she and the citizens of Luxembourg were feeling the queen’s visit.

Queen Elizabeth addressed her audience in French and then tried her hand at the local language. “I think my Luxembourgish is not as good as your English,” she said to rapturous applause.

The queen and grand duke then took a walkabout among the crowds that had thronged the place Guillaume II and the streets between the city hall and the grand ducal palace.

That evening, Grand Duke Jean hosted a gala dinner for the queen at which both heads of state spoke of their hope to continue developing close ties between the two countries.

The British royals also visited Esch-sur-Alzette, the Arbed steelworks in Differdange and then returned to the capital for a tour of the Corniche and the ancient fortress. A gala evening hosted by Queen Elizabeth at the grand théâtre closed the second day of the visit – the Queen even had tableware, glasses and candelabras flown in from Buckingham Palace for the occasion.

Vianden and Echternach were on the programme on the third and final day of the visit.