Grand Duke Jean has served His country as Chief of State for 36 years and can, on the occasion of His 90th birthday, reflect on a full career, rich in emotions and memories.
Born on 5 January 1921 at Berg Castle and given the name Guillaume Robert Antoine Louis Marie Adolphe Marc d’Aviano of Luxembourg, He is the eldest son of the Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg and Prince Felix of Bourbon Parma.
After finishing His primary and secondary studies in Luxembourg, He completed His studies at Ampleforth College in Yorkshire County in England. On 5 January 1939, upon reaching the age of majority, He was named the Grand Duke heir apparent. After the invasion of the Grand Duchy on 10 May 1940 by German Nazi troops, He left Luxembourg with His family to seek refuge, first in France and Portugal, later in the United States and Canada. After studying law and political science at Laval University (Canada), He underwent military training at Sandhurst, in the United Kingdom, before enlisting as a volunteer in the Irish Guards Regiment.
On 11 June 1944 He landed near Bayeux in Normandy where He served as a captain in the 32nd Brigade of the Guards Armoured Division. He took part in the Battle of Caen and entered Brussels on 3 September. One week later, on 10 September 1944, He returned to Luxembourg alongside His father, Prince Felix. Named Lieutenant-Representative on 28 April 1961, He succeeded his mother the Grand Duchess Charlotte on 12 November 1964. On the same day He was name General of the Luxembourg Army.
On 9 April 1953, He married Princess Joséphine-Charlotte of Belgium. Five children were born from this union: Princess Marie-Astrid, Prince Henri, Prince Jean, Princess Margaretha, and Prince Guillaume. On 7 October 2000, Grand Duke Jean abdicated in favour of His eldest son Henri.
