Despite opposition, the two have been happy together for a long time!
Today, on the most romantic day of the year, marks exactly 43 years since Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg tied the knot. Glamial takes you through their love story!
Bench
The love between the Luxembourg royal son Henri and the Cuban beauty María Teresa Mestre y Batista had its very beginnings in the classrooms of the University of Geneva. The couple met while studying political science, and were in love with each other outside of university.
For example, they often went to the mountains at the weekend and lay in the grass like Heidi and Alpen-Peter to kiss discuss political issues. “The more time we spent together, the clearer it became to us that we would spend our lives together,” Maria Teresa said.
Citizen girl and prince charming
So there was no shortage of love, but Henri’s parents, Grand Duke Jean and Princess Joséphine-Charlotte of Belgium, initially did not like Maria Teresa. The latter, in particular, almost revealed that her son was in love with a bourgeois girl, and one from the New World at that. Which he described as ‘earthy, warm and delightful’ – quelle horreur! As a future monarch, they therefore sent Henri to Aristo hotspots until the end of the day in the hope that he would fall for a young lady with blue blood, but to no avail.
To put an end to the nagging, Henri did what Harald and Haakon of Norway and a certain Willem-Alexander of Orange also helped to have a happy marriage. Henri casually announced that he would give up his claim to the throne if he was not allowed to marry his great love. Well. Ultimately, his parents gave in, and just a few weeks after Henri had received his diploma, the announcement came that the future Grand Duke had become engaged to the then unknown Maria Teresa.
At that time, the people of Luxembourg had no idea that their hereditary prince had been in a relationship for years, so it was quite a surprise that everyone wanted to know everything about. Henri gave his fiancée a ring of yellow gold with a huge ruby in it, as a symbol that love would conquer all. And of course there was an official photo moment with the stylish couple. Heurt joins in, as the betrothed of princes-to-be.
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Wedding in Balmain
As is often the case with a royal wedding, it was celebrated in two parts. The couple got married on February 4 at the registry office, and on February 14 there was the supreme moment: in a grand ceremony in the local Cathedral Notre-Dame, the couple promised each other their eternal loyalty.
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The bride wore Balmain: white silk with a woven pattern, trimmed with fur. Her mother-in-law lent her the Congo Diamond tiara, which Joséphine herself had worn during her wedding to Jean. A sweet gesture within an otherwise very difficult relationship between the Grand Duchess and her new daughter-in-law.
Maria Teresa herself also reflected on the big day today. She shared these rare images via Instagram of the moment when the couple promised each other eternal loyalty and (with some difficulty) exchanged rings.
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Family happiness
Despite the opposition from Jean and Joséphine, Henri and Maria Teresa prove time and time again that they are very happy with each other. Only nine months after their wedding (the couple clearly didn’t waste any time) son Guillaume was born, and with Félix, Louis, Alexandra, and Sébastien the family was finally complete.
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Many years have now passed and the Grand Ducal couple is still crazy about each other. From official occasions to family outings – Henri and Maria Teresa shine brightest when they can exchange a sneaky glance.
They have completely accepted their roles as parents, princes and grandparents of now seven grandchildren. Another little one will soon be added: Princess Alexandra is expected to give birth to her first child with husband Nicolas Bagory this spring.
One thing is certain: the little one will have a good example from grandma and grandpa when it comes to a strong relationship!
Source: Tatler, Glamial archive | Image: NL Image
