[3] Having delegated some of his powers to his eldest son and heir apparent, Guillaume, in 2024, he is set to abdicate in his favour on 3 October 2025.

By two sovereign decisions of 14 April 1973 the Grand Duke decided that "Henri will be considered as having reached the age of majority as from 16 April 1973, the date on which he will have reached the age of eighteen years" and "that His Royal Highness Prince Henri will bear, in His capacity as Heir Apparent to the Crown of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and of the Grand-Ducal Trust, the title of Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg, Hereditary Prince of Nassau, Prince of Bourbon of Parma.

On 7 October 2000, immediately following the abdication of his father, Henri acceded as Grand Duke of Luxembourg and took the constitutional oath before the Chamber of Deputies later that day.

However, he retains the constitutional power to appoint the prime minister and government, to dissolve the Chamber of Deputies, to promulgate laws and to accredit ambassadors.

[9] Since the accession of Henri to the Grand Ducal Throne in 2000, the court's approach to media and publicity has varied markedly.

[citation needed] In contrast, when the grand ducal couple's first grandchild was born in 2006, the Court Circular pointedly omitted to mention the event, probably as the father Prince Louis was not married at the time.

[10] On 2 December 2008, it was announced that Grand Duke Henri had stated he would refuse to give his assent to a new law on euthanasia that had been passed earlier in the year by the Chamber of Deputies.

[citation needed] The Luxembourg ruling house had tried to block a decision by Parliament only once before, when Grand Duchess Marie-Adélaïde refused to sign a bill in 1912 to reduce the role of Roman Catholic priests within the education system.

[citation needed] Article 34 of the constitution was subsequently amended to remove the term "assent",[13] leaving the relevant provision to read: "The Grand Duke promulgates the laws..." As a result, his signature is still needed but it is clear that his signature is automatic and that he has no freedom of decision.

Although the reason has not formally been disclosed, it is reported that the grand duke felt ill after waking that day, and the court physician noticed circulation problems.

[15] The report identified significant problems in terms of staff management at the Palace resulting in a high turnover rate and an atmosphere of fear.

"[16] On 23 June 2024, his official birthday, Henri announced his plans to appoint his son Guillaume as lieutenant representative (regent) in October.

[4] While studying in Geneva, Henri met the Cuban-born María Teresa Mestre y Batista, who was also a political science student.