Beyond the images of the ‘Trounwiessel’, the Grand Duke’s House’s 2025 annual report, published on Tuesday 30 June, recounts an exceptional year through its financial statements. The first financial year of the reign of Guillaume, he shows that the change of monarch has not only transformed the institution in terms of protocol; it has also led to a significant increase in public expenditure on the Head of State’s residence.

The provisional account thus stands at €25.91m in 2025, compared with €19.39m in 2024, representing an increase of €6.52m (+33.6%). Whilst the Grand Duke’s Household had spent only 87.1 per cent of its initial budget in 2024, this time it has slightly exceeded the approved appropriations, with an implementation rate of 102.5%.

The main reason for this is the change of reign. The report puts the figure for expenditure directly covered by the Grand Duke’s Household for the organisation of the Trounwiessel at €5.01m. The public festivities of the ‘Feierlech Tournée’ on 4 October alone accounted for €4.25m. The Grand Ducal House points out, however, that these figures do not cover the full cost of the event, as other government departments and public authorities also contributed resources to ensure its organisation and security.

Give preference to Luxembourg-based service providers

This one-off expenditure is immediately reflected in the accounts. The budget allocated to public events and ceremonies soars from €649,883 in 2024 to €5.47m in 2025, more than eight times the previous year’s level. By contrast, operating costs are rising much more modestly, from €2.76m to €2.94m.

Staff costs also continue to rise. They stand at 14.55 million euros, compared with 13.64 million a year earlier. They remain the largest budget item for the Grand Duke’s Household and account for nearly 62% of current expenditure, compared with more than two-thirds in 2024. The institution now has 120 staff members spread across the Grand Ducal Palace, Berg Castle and Fischbach Castle.

The report also highlights another decision taken during the organisation of the change of reign: to give priority, as far as possible, to Luxembourgish businesses, craftspeople, artists and service providers. The Grand Duke’s Office therefore believes that the preparations and festivities have benefited several sectors of the national economy, notably the events industry, audiovisual production, logistics, security, the hospitality and catering sector, and the cultural industries.

An anticipated ramp-up

A comparison with the 2024 report also shows that this increase had been anticipated. Last year, the institution had already explained that preparations for the change of reign and the 25th anniversary of Henri’s reign had begun, whilst pointing out that Pope Francis’s visit had already required budgetary adjustments. Expenditure on ceremonial events had then reached nearly €650,000, a figure already higher than that of 2023.

Beyond the figures, the report also marks a new stage in the transformation of the Grand Duke’s Residence. Sasha Baillie has signed her first report as Marshal of the Court, having succeeded Paul Dühr. The Co-ordination Committee, co-chaired with the Secretary-General of the Government, Michel Scholer, met 18 times in 2025 to oversee the budget, the institution’s operations and staffing matters. The Grand Duke’s House emphasises the continuation of its professionalisation, which began when it was established in 2020, against a backdrop of ‘transition and institutional renewal’.