First official portraits of Prince Charles of Luxembourg

Welcome to the world, Prince Charles! Proud parents Prince Guillaume and Princess Stéphanie of Luxembourg share first official portraits of their son who is second-in-line to the throne

  • Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg has shared the first official portraits of his son 
  • Prince Charles sleeps peacefully in the arms of his mother in one of the snaps
  • Princess Stéphanie, 35, gave birth to her little boy on May 10 in Luxembourg

Proud parents Prince Guillaume and Princess Stéphanie of Luxembourg have shared the first official portraits of their son.  

Prince Charles Jean Philippe Joseph Marie Guillaume, who is second in line to the throne, was born on 10 May. 

He was photographed sleeping peacefully in the arms of his doting mother in a family snapshot taken at the Grand Duchess Charlotte Maternity Hospital in Luxembourg.

Four images were released by his parents, Grand Duke Guillaume, 38, and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie of Luxembourg, 35, to mark the birth of their first son.

 

Proud parents Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg and his wife Princess Stéphanie have shared the first official portraits of their son (pictured together)

One photograph (above) sees Prince Charles sleep peacefully when resting on a cuddly toy

One photograph (above) sees Prince Charles sleep peacefully when resting on a cuddly toy

In each one of the images, he sports a cute blue and white sleepsuit, featuring a dainty brown bear on the front.

Prince Guillaume can be seen affectionately looking over his wife’s shoulder in one of the snaps as she gently holds their son, while another sees the little boy sleep peacefully when resting on a soft cuddly toy. 

New father Prince Guillaume was barely able to contain his delight when announcing the news during a broadcast interview on Monday.

Discussing the birth, Prince Guillaume said it was ‘probably the most incredible day that we will have in our life’, adding: ‘To be able to greet the child that comes into one’s life is the most magical thing, parenting, a couple can have.’ 

Four images were released to mark the birth of Charles Jean Philippe Joseph Marie Guillaume (pictured), who is second in line to the throne

Four images were released to mark the birth of Charles Jean Philippe Joseph Marie Guillaume (pictured), who is second in line to the throne

Wearing an adorable baby blue outfit, Prince Charles sleeps peacefully in the arms of his doting mother in a family snapshot (pictured) taken at the Maternity Grande-Duchesse Charlotte in Luxembourg

Wearing an adorable baby blue outfit, Prince Charles sleeps peacefully in the arms of his doting mother in a family snapshot (pictured) taken at the Maternity Grande-Duchesse Charlotte in Luxembourg

Photographs were then shared as the newborn met his grandparents the Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa over a video call.

In a statement, the Luxembourg royals said they were ‘delighted to announce the birth’ of their son on Sunday. 

It read: ‘The Hereditary couple is delighted to announce the birth of their son this Sunday, May 10, 2020 at 5:13 a.m. at the Maternity Grande-Duchesse Charlotte in Luxembourg. 

Prince Guillaume,  38, the heir to the Luxembourg throne, and his wife, Princess Stéphanie, 35, pictured together

Prince Guillaume,  38, the heir to the Luxembourg throne, and his wife, Princess Stéphanie, 35, pictured together

In a video interview given outside the hospital, Prince Guillaume was barely able to contain his excitement about the 'magical experience' on Monday

In a video interview given outside the hospital, Prince Guillaume was barely able to contain his excitement about the ‘magical experience’ on Monday

‘The baby will bear the first names of Charles Jean Philippe Joseph Marie Guillaume. The child weighs 3.190 kg and is 50 cm tall.’

Shortly afterwards, Prince Guillaume spoke with the media about the birth from outside the hospital, with the new father bubbling with excitement over the news.

He said that the couple were ‘delighted’ to be ‘living and sharing’ the experience with Luxembourg, particularly because of the challenges of the current coronavirus pandemic.

He explained: ‘We are delighted to [have this experience] at a time ‘that is difficult for families that have been separated but in the next weeks will see each other again. 

‘A birth is a message of hope, it’s a blessing. This is what we are so happy to share with Luxembourg and all the different countries.’ 

The couple went on to share snaps as they introduced their newborn son to Prince Guillaume's parents Grand Duke and Duchess over a video call

The couple went on to share snaps as they introduced their newborn son to Prince Guillaume’s parents Grand Duke and Duchess over a video call

Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa appeared delighted as they met their new grandson, and fifth grandchild, over video call

Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa appeared delighted as they met their new grandson, and fifth grandchild, over video call 

Despite only being able to meet their new grandson over video call due to the coronavirus pandemic, the couple said the meeting was 'emotionally charged'

Despite only being able to meet their new grandson over video call due to the coronavirus pandemic, the couple said the meeting was ’emotionally charged’ 

The history of Luxembourg’s royal family

Luxembourg is a constitutional monarchy in which the Grand Duke holds executive power and bills only become law with his signature.

Its monarchy is one of the youngest in Europe and began in 1815 following the Congress of Vienna at the end of the Napoleonic Wars.

Full independence under the Grand Dukes came just under 20 years later, when the Treaty of London enshrined Luxembourg’s existence in international law and ended years of rule by the Burgundians, French, Prussians and the Dutch.

Although part of Luxembourg was later incorporated into what would, in 1839, become Belgium, the country remained intact through the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 and the First and Second World Wars. 

In 1890 the grand duchy passed to Adolf, Duke of Nassau who ruled until 1905 – he was famed for his efforts to strengthen the territory’s autonomy.

But, during the war, Luxembourg was occupied by German troops. The royal family fled and a government-in-exile was established in London.

In 1964 Grand Duchess Charlotte abdicated in favour of her son, who becomes Grand Duke Jean.

In 2000, Crown Prince Henri became Grand Duke of Luxembourg on the abdication of his father, Jean. Crown Prince Henri remains in his position today.

Much of the executive power lies with the prime minister – a grand duke appointee – and his cabinet. The duchy’s figurehead remains a powerful and influential figure.

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk