With around 4,000 refugees from Ukraine in Luxembourg, according to the latest official numbers, many private households and public institutions have opened their doors. The grand ducal family has followed suit, offering one of its private residences up for the cause, prime minister Xavier Bettel (DP) on 28 March.

This follows a trend initiated by other European royals. The Belgian royal family on 16 March confirmed to the Belgian news site RTBF that it had opened the doors of two of its properties to Ukrainian refugees. Three families would be able to reside in the royal residences. The Dutch royal family earlier in March had made space available on the grounds of its palace for six to eight families, or up to thirty people.

Delano contacted the grand ducal family’s spokespeople to ask how many people the residence could host. According to them, the exact number of refugees that could be hosted would be determined by the Red Cross, who has been handed the responsibility of this property. So far, the offer is not limited in time, a spokesperson told Delano.

Over a month after the attacks on Ukraine initiated by Russian president Vladimir Putin, a widespread solidarity movement has been witnessed in Europe. Luxembourg’s Post, for instance, is providing authorities with properties to help accommodate Ukrainians, The commune of Strassen, a couple of weeks ago, opened to gather and socialise.

The article was amended on 29 March to include the answers of the royal family’s spokesperson.