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“The role and responsibilities of local authorities in tackling terrorism” – CLRAE conference in Luxembourg - 20 to 21 September 2002
His secondary schooling took place in both Luxembourg and France, where he passed his baccalauréat in 1974, after which he studied at the University of Geneva (Switzerland), graduating in political sciences in 1980. He holds honorary doctorates in humane letters from Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, Connecticut (USA), in law from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio (USA), in economics from the University of Khon Kaen (Thailand) and in political sciences from Trier University (Germany). He entered the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst (United Kingdom) in 1974, gaining officer status in 1975. He currently holds the rank of colonel in the Luxembourg Army. In 1989 he was made an honorary major in the Parachute Regiment (United Kingdom). On 14 February 1981 he married Miss Teresa Mestre, who had also been awarded her degree in political sciences by the University of Geneva in 1980. Their Royal Highnesses have four sons and a daughter:
Grand Duke Henri has made many fact-finding and educational visits abroad, both within Europe and overseas. He followed courses in the United States between 1978 and 1980. As honorary president of the Comité de développement économique (economic development committee), which was founded in 1977, he has made numerous trips worldwide to promote investment in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. He was a member of the Conseil d’Etat between 1980 and 1998, enabling him to familiarise himself with the workings of the country’s legislative system. He is patron of numerous associations which work in the cultural, sporting, scientific and civic spheres. He has been a member of the International Olympic Committee since its Nagano meeting of February 1998. On 4 March 1998, he was, in accordance with the Constitution, appointed Lieutenant-Representative of HRH the Grand Duke, and on 7 October 2000, Grand Duke Jean abdicated in favour of his son. He is also president of the patronage committee of Luxembourg’s international trade fairs society, and civil protection is under his high patronage. He is also an active member of the Mentor Foundation set up under the auspices of the World Health Organization, a foundation which exists to prevent drug-taking by young people. He takes an interest in nature conservation and is president of the Galapagos Darwin Trust Luxembourg, as well as being a member of the Charles Darwin Foundation for the Galapagos Islands. His main leisure interests are literature, classical music and sport in general (especially swimming, sailing, water skiing, tennis and shooting). | ||||
