The late Grand Duke Jean was at the heart of DP prime minister Xavier Bettel’s speech, who described him as a source of inspiration, for his contribution to fighting the occupiers during the second world war.

“I feel personally responsible to Grand Duke Jean, to the Luxembourgers and allies who, at that time, risked their lives for our freedom and responsibility,” Bettel said

Grand Duke Henri thanked all those who paid tribute to his father’s death two months ago. “On a personal level, I felt that in these moments of shared mourning, we find inner peace, and that we focus on the essential aspects of the human condition. And I don't think it's presumptuous to see in these days that we've just experienced a symbol of a nation that remains deeply united on the essentials,” he said.

The head of state, meanwhile, took pride in the fact that the Luxembourgish openness had prevented the country from feeling excluded.  

“Our nation is diverse, but it is not divided,” he said, adding that he hoped everyone felt part of a collective destiny. “May all, Luxembourgers and non-Luxembourgers, residents or cross-border workers, have the feeling of living a collective adventure, and not only of individual destinies.”

Bettel’s speech also touched on his future ambitions in terms of protecting the planet. “We must be active and now,” he said, adding that we must also strive to maintain the overall quality of life, for intergenerational equity.

All speakers expressed concern over widening social divisions, fuelled by populism and extremism. Parliamentary speaker Fernand Etgen (DP) said he hoped Luxembourg, thanks to its history and neutrality, could be a bridge builder in Europe.