Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, 69, reveals he ‘intends to retire at some point’ – and even knows the date he plans to hand over the baton to his son Guillaume

Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg has revealed he already has an abdication date in mind – putting him in the fray of older European monarchs rumored to be considering stepping down to let their young heirs take over.

Talking to La Libreas reported by Point de Vuethe royal, 69, stated that he knows the exact date he plans to pass the baton to his son Guillaume, 42 – but ‘doesn’t want to tell’ the press yet.

‘All this is planned in family consultation. I think it is very important to give the young people a perspective,’ he added.

‘Transmission and trust are the two essential elements in my relationship with my son Guillaume.’

The outlet, which reported on a conversation the Grand Duke had with the Place Royale programme, also revealed that he said it is ‘obvious’ that he ‘intends to retire at some point’.

‘There are plans,’ explained Henri – who has ruled since October 2000 -. ‘There will come a day when it must be done.’

His comments follow a spate of abdication rumors among European royals after Queen Margrethe of Denmark made the shock decision to abdicate after 52 years, making way for her son Frederik to take over as king on January 14.

At the time, royal biographer Phil Dampier told MailOnline that he believes King Charles will be affected by events in Denmark since New Year’s Eve – particularly if it would protect the future of the British royal family.

He added that the Prince and Princess of Wales are very friendly with Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary and will have been in contact with them.

“Our late queen would never abdicate because of what happened in 1936 when her uncle abdicated and her father came to the throne. But times change,’ he explained.

‘William and Kate are very happy with Frederik and Mary and will be among the first to congratulate them. They will be fascinated to see how they progress as king and queen, and it will also make them think about their future.’

However, King Harald of Norway has confirmed that he has no plans to abdicate following speculation that he could follow in the footsteps of his former Danish colleague.

The 86-year-old monarch (who is a second cousin of King Charles III) insisted that the promise he made to the Norwegian parliament when he took the throne in 1991 ‘lasts for life’.

King Harald told Faktisk.no: ‘I stand by what I have said all along. I have taken an oath to the Storting, and it lasts for life’.

The Grand Duke and his wife Maria Teresa, 68, have five children, including Guillaume – Prince Félix, 39, Prince Louis, 37, Princess Alexandra, 33, and Prince Sébastien, 31.

Guillaume and his wife Stéphanie, 40, have two sons: Charles, three, and François Henri Louis Marie Guillaume, who turned one last month.

It happens when Prince Felix and Princess Claire of Luxembourg welcomed their third child, Prince Balthasar Felix Karl, just earlier this year.

The baby was born on January 7 at the Grand Duchess Charlotte Maternity Hospital in central Luxembourg and weighed eight pounds.

Claire, 38, and the baby, who is seventh in line to the throne, are said to be in ‘perfect health’.

Proud grandmother Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg, 67, joined in Instagram to share a selection of family photos with Balthasar.

She wrote: ‘What a huge joy to come from Balthazar, our seventh grandchild, born on January 7 in Luxembourg.’

The Grand Duchess of Luxembourg shared the first full family photo with Prince Felix, Princess Claire and their three children – Princess Amalia, nine, Prince Liam, seven, and Prince Balthasar.

In the first picture, Claire held baby Balthasar in her arms next to Felix, while Amalia and Liam looked equally adorable in the hospital bed.

In another shot, seven-year-old Liam sweetly offered his little brother a peck on the forehead while his sister Amalia kissed his head.

The Grand Duke and Duchess of Luxembourg also posed for cameras with baby Balthasar.

Maria looked glamorous as ever in a pink silk blouse as she held the newborn in her arms.

Meanwhile, Henri looked dapper in a pinstripe suit for the occasion. Already an adoring grandfather, the royal looked proudly at his seventh grandchild as he rested in his hands.

It comes after news that Princess Alexandra of Luxembourg is expecting her first child with husband Nicolas Bagory, after the couple tied the knot earlier last year.

The princess, 31, married French businessman Nicolas, 33, in a civil ceremony at Luxembourg City Hall in April.

The royal baby will be eighth in line to the Luxembourg throne, regardless of gender, but will have no title as this is normally inherited from the father.

In 2011, the Luxembourg succession rules were revised to allow women in the line of succession – adding Princess Alexandra along with her future children.

For her civil wedding to Nicolas, Alexandra opted for a dainty cream bridal suit over a dress, while the groom wore a crisp navy blue suit with a light blue tie.

After the ceremony, the beaming couple stood on the steps outside City Hall and waved to adoring fans who had turned up to see them.

A week later, Alexandra and Nicolas continued their wedding celebrations when they tied the knot in a lavish religious ceremony in Bormes-les-Mimosas, south-east France.

Alexandra looked elegant for the occasion in a flowing, off-white dress. Her dress was slightly off the shoulder, with pleated detailing.

The princess chose a long veil decorated with pearls and mother-of-pearl. She also wore a lavish tiara and kept her make-up natural for the occasion.

Alexandra was accompanied by her father, Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, as she entered the Saint Trophyme church in Bormes-les-Mimosas for the religious event.

Her mother Maria Teresa, the Grand Duchess, was seen entering the church moments earlier in a bold navy blue and green fitted dress.

Alexandra and Nicolas announced their engagement in November 2022.