Charlotte, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg

Grand Duchess of Luxembourg

23 January 1896 Berg Castle, Luxembourg

9 July 1985(1985-07-09) (89) Fischbach Castle, Fischbach, Luxembourg

NamesCharlotte Adelgonde Elisabeth Marie Wilhelmine

Grand Duchess of Luxembourg CharlotteThe Grand Duchess in 1942Grand Duchess of LuxembourgReign14 January 1919 – 12 November 1964PredecessorMarie-AdélaïdeSuccessorJeanPrime ministers See List Émile Reuter Pierre Prüm Joseph Bech Pierre Dupong Pierre Frieden Pierre Werner Born(1896-01-23 ) 23 January 1896 Berg Castle, LuxembourgDied9 July 1985(1985-07-09) (aged 89) Fischbach Castle, Fischbach, LuxembourgBurialNotre-Dame CathedralSpousePrince Felix of Bourbon-ParmaIssue Jean, Grand Duke of Luxembourg Princess Elisabeth, Duchess of Hohenberg Princess Marie Adelaide Princess Marie Gabrielle Prince Charles Alix, Princess of Ligne NamesCharlotte Adelgonde Elisabeth Marie WilhelmineHouseNassau-WeilburgFatherWilliam IV, Grand Duke of LuxembourgMotherInfanta Marie Anne of PortugalReligionCatholicism Charlotte (Charlotte Adelgonde Élise/Elisabeth Marie Wilhelmine; 23 January 1896 – 9 July 1985) reigned as Grand Duchess of Luxembourg from January 1919 until her abdication in November 1964. She acceded to the throne on 14 January 1919 following the abdication of her sister, Marie-Adélaïde, due to political pressure over Marie-Adélaïde's role during the German occupation of Luxembourg during World War I. A referendum retained the monarchy with Charlotte as grand duchess. She married Prince Felix of Bourbon-Parma on 6 November 1919. They had six children. Following the 1940 German invasion of Luxembourg during World War II, Charlotte went into exile: first in France, then Portugal, Great Britain, and North America. While in Britain, she made broadcasts to the people of Luxembourg. She returned to Luxembourg in April 1945. She abdicated in 1964, and was succeeded by her son Jean. Charlotte died from cancer on 9 July 1985. She was the last agnatic member of the House of Nassau. She was the last personal recipient of the Golden Rose and since her death there are no living personal recipients of that honour, which in modern times has been awarded only to churches and shrines.