Every summer, when Grand Duke Henri and Grande Duchess Maria Teresa are travelling – traditionally to Southern France, the grand ducal palace in the city centre opens its doors for visitors. The Luxembourg Tourist Office offers guided tours in the palace. Although their official residence is registered in the palace, they live in the castle in Colmar-Bierg, the palace in the city is Grand Duke Henri’s working place. Here, he has an office and he welcomes other heads of state, monarch and lower ranked diplomats for state visits and official dinners – following a strict protocol. We stand in front of the staircase in the first reception hall.

In the several reception halls, we are in company of Henri’s ancestors, the paintings show Adelaide Marie, Charlotte, Jean and Adolf, the founder of the Nassau family. Branches of the Nassau family are currently reigning in Luxembourg and in the Netherlands as well. Both royal courts share a strong connection. Here’s why both national flags resemble so much. When the European states at the Congress of Vienna in 1815 reshaped Europe, after the defeat of Napoleon, Luxembourg was handed over to the king of the Netherlands as a personal gift.