Why Princess Alexandra was once excluded from Luxembourg's line of succession

Princess Alexandra of Luxembourg will wed her fiancé Nicolas Bagory in a civil ceremony at the City of Luxembourg Town Hall on Saturday 22 April.

The princess, 32, is the only daughter of Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, but did you know that up until 2011 she was excluded from Luxembourg's line of succession?

Princess Alexandra was finally included at the age of 20 when Luxembourg adopted absolute primogeniture on 20 June 2011 by decree of Grand Duke Henri.

Before then, women were excluded from the line of succession. Alexandra is currently seventh in line after her nephew, Prince Liam of Nassau.

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Meanwhile, Alexandra's eight-year-old niece, Princess Amalia of Nassau, made history as she was the first female royal to be born with hereditary rights to the crown in 2014.

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Alexandra's older brother, Prince Louis, renounced his succession rights and those of his children upon his marriage to Tessy Antony in 2006. 

The former couple, who finalised their divorce in 2019, share two sons - Prince Gabriel, 17, and Prince Noah, 15. Learn more about the kings and queens of Europe in the clip below...

Royal bride Princess Alexandra was born on 16 February 1991 and was raised in the Luxembourg countryside at Fischbach Castle until her father's accession to the throne in 2000, when the family moved to Berg Castle.

She attended private schools in Luxembourg and studied at universities in the US and Paris. As well as being a professional linguist, she is an active working member of the royal family.

Meanwhile, Alexandra's future husband Nicolas grew up in Brittany and went on to study political science and classics. He now works on the creation of social and cultural projects.

Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa are also parents to four sons – Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume, 41, Prince Félix, 38, Prince Louis, 36, and Prince Sébastien, 31.

Prince Guillaume and Princess Stephanie welcomed the arrival of their second son, Prince François, on 27 March. The couple also have Prince Charles, who will turn three next month.

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