Charlotte, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg
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| Charlotte | |
| Grand Duchess of Luxembourg | |
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| Reign | 14 January 1919 - 12 November 1964 |
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| Born | 23 January 1896 |
| Birthplace | Berg Castle, Luxembourg |
| Died | 9 July 1985 (aged 89) |
| Predecessor | Marie-Adélaïde |
| Successor | Jean |
| Consort | Felix of Bourbon-Parma |
| Issue | Prince Jean Princess Elizabeth Princess Marie-Adelaide Princess Marie Gabriele Prince Charles Princess Alix |
| Royal House | House of Nassau-Weilburg |
| Father | Guillaume IV |
| Mother | Marie Anne of Portugal |
Charlotte, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg (Charlotte Aldegonde Élise Marie Wilhelmine) (January 23, 1896 – July 9, 1985) was the second daughter of Guillaume IV, Grand Duke of Luxembourg and his wife Marie Anne of Portugal. Her maternal grandparents were Miguel of Portugal and Adelaide of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg.
When her older sister Marie-Adélaïde, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, who had succeeded their father, was forced to abdicate on January 14, 1919, Charlotte became the one who had to deal with the revolutionary tendencies in the country. Unlike her sister, she chose not to meddle with its politics.
In a referendum about the new constitution on September 28, 1919, 77.8% of the Luxembourgish people voted for the continuation of a Grand Ducal monarchy with Charlotte as head of state. In this constitution, the power of the monarch was severely restricted.
During the German occupation in World War II, Charlotte, exiled in London, became an important symbol of national unity.
After her death, she was interred in the Ducal Crypt of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in the city of Luxembourg.
[edit] Marriage and children
On November 6, 1919, she married Felix of Bourbon, Prince of Parma, her cousin on their mothers' side (both were grand-children of king Miguel of Portugal and they had six children:
- Grand Duke Jean.
- Princess Elizabeth (born 1922), who married HSH Franz, Duke of Hohenberg (1927–1977). Has issue.
- Princess Marie-Adélaide (1924-2007), who married Karl, Count Henckel of Donnersmarck (born 1928).
- Princess Marie Gabriele (born 1925), who married Knud, Count of Holstein-Ledreborg (1919–2001). Has issue.
- Prince Charles (1927–1977), who married Joan Douglas Dillon, the former wife of James Brady Moseley. Had issue.
- Princess Alix (born 1929), who married Antoine Maria Joachim Lamoral, 14th Prince de Ligne (1925–2005)
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[edit] Abdication and death
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On November 12, 1964, she abdicated in favour of her son, Prince Jean, who had then been regent for three years.
Charlotte died on July 9, 1985, from cancer. She was interred in the Ducal Crypt of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in the city of Luxembourg.
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Charlotte, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg
Born: 23 January 1896 Died: 6 July 1985 |
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| Regnal titles | ||
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| Preceded by Marie-Adélaïde |
Grand Duchess of Luxembourg 1919–1964 |
Succeeded by Jean |
