Photo: Cour grand-ducale / Jochen Herling
The Grand Ducal Court has announced the passing of Grand Duke Jean. He was 98.
Grand Duke Jean was born Jean Benoît Guillaume Robert Antoine Louis Marie Adolphe Marc d’Aviano on January 5, 1921, to Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg and her husband Prince Felix of Bourbon-Parma. He was the oldest of six children.
His early life was overshadowed by World War II. His family was forced to leave Luxembourg in 1940 in order to escape Nazi troops, and took refuge in both the United States and Canada.
Jean later volunteered to join the British army’s Irish Guards in 1942, and after graduating from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, received his commission in 1943. He briefly served as a guard at Buckingham Palace before joining Allied forces in Normandy in 1944, taking part in the battle of Caen.
Jean, Grand Duke of Luxembourg has died. He ruled from 1964-2000. Fought for his country’s freedom from Nazis with @irish_guards & became regiment’s Colonel 1984-2000,attending StPatrick’sDay with QueenElizabeth. Today his banner as Knight of the Garter will be removed @ArmyCGS pic.twitter.com/DpqvwlIGHP
— Alastair Bruce (@AlastairBruce_) April 23, 2019
Luxarazzi has several articles covering his extraordinary life, as well as up to the minute information on his funeral, which will be held on Saturday, May 4th.