“After a difficult 2021, 2022 will not have been an easy year either,” acknowledged the monarch on Christmas Eve. Climate change, intensifying military conflicts, the war in Ukraine, violence against women in Afghanistan and Iran, and COP27 outcomes that are “disappointing for some of us”: the grand duke in his address looked back on a year marked by historical events.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine “puts into question everything we have put in place since 1945 to establish peaceful coexistence between nations: namely, the principle of resolving conflicts through dialogue and not force,” Grand Duke Henri added.

The war has impacted Luxembourg too: “Many people are experiencing material difficulties and are on the verge of poverty.” Although the grand duke lauded Luxembourg’s openness, multicultural population and closeness to other countries, he reminded that “for many people, the current situation means that the end of the month is becoming increasingly difficult” and that these people should be supported too.

“We are privileged to live in a democratic country that calls on its citizens to express themselves regularly by voting and thus help shape our society,” he also said, adding that, as some populations did not have this chance, “we receive many people who seek refuge, threatened in their home countries. This is our duty as a society and as a state.”

Far be it from Grand Duke Henri to resort to “empty words and old clichés” as he put it, if Luxembourg manages to communicate a message of respect--towards its citizens, its environment, and fundamental rights--“then I believe we will have made a concrete contribution to a more humane world”.

In the face of the uncertainty 2023 brings, the grand duke called to Luxembourg residents and those who come in from neighbouring countries to “continue together to defend our model of society”.

Grand Duke Henri concluded his address wishing to all “a very happy Christmas and our warmest wishes for 2023”.