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Ambassador Randy Evans, right, leads the moment of silence in the embassy courtyard.Photo: US embassy 

The ambassador and staff gathered under the U.S. flag, flown at half-mast, in the courtyard of the embassy to show solidarity with the people of Luxembourg during the period of national mourning for the Grand Duke, who passed away on 23 April.

“Grand Duke Jean was one of those leaders who did not just simply accept a position of leadership, influence and power as a given,” Evans said. “When the time came and when his country was in danger, he suited up, he went into battle, he faced the odds, he faced the risk of death. He came back, he led a country back to the point where it could be among the leading countries of the world.”

Evans and other ambassadors on Monday paid their respects to the grand duke in the chapel of the grand ducal palace.

On Thursday the ambassador told staff: “We take this moment as a moment of silence to honor his wonderful contributions--not just for his country and not just for Europe but for the entire world.”