Stephanie, Hereditary Grand Duchess of Luxembourg

Stephanie, Hereditary Grand Duchess of Luxembourg (born Countess Stephanie Marie Claudine Christine Lannoy on 18 February 1984), is the wife of Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume, heir apparent to the throne of Luxembourg. She became engaged to the Hereditary Grand Duke on 26 April 2012 and married him, in a civil ceremony, on 19 October 2012, followed by a religious service the next day.

Early Life

Stephanie Lannoy was born on 18 February 1984 in Ronse, East Flanders. She is the youngest child and fourth daughter of the eight children of Count Philippe Lannoy (b.1922) and Alix Della Faille Leverghem (1941-2012).

The House of Lannoy has been traced back to the 13th century nobility of Hainaut, its members distinguishing themselves in military command and affairs of state. Those descended from Charles Lannoy, the victor of Pavia, held the title of Imperial count/countess from 1526.

Stephanie attended the Dutch-language Sancta Maria Ronse school and continued her education in College Saint-Odile in France. She then returned to Brussels for studies at L' Institut Vierge Fidele, before taking up Russian language and literature in Moscow. She majored in German philology at Louvain la-Neuve and also earned a master's degree in Berlin.

She is fluent in French, English and German. She is able to speak a fair amount of Luxembourgish and Russian.

Marriage

Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Stephanie dated for about two years prior to their engagement. The betrothal was announced on 26 April 2012. Distant cousins, they share multiple descants from the Austrian fieldmarshal Charles Marie Raymond, Duke of Arenberg. Their families are connected in several other ways: Stephanie's father, Count Philippe Lannoy was a first cousin of Antoine, 13th Prince Ligne, who married Princess Alix of Luxembourg-Guillaume's great-aunt-their son prince Antoine Lamoral married Countess "Minthia" Lannoy, Stephanie's second cousin once removed. Count Philippe was also a first cousin of Princess Yolande Ligne, who married Archduke Carl Ludwig of Austria, and their child, Archduke Carl Christian of Austria-Stephanie's second cousin-married Princess Marie Astrid of Luxembourg, Guillaume's aunt.

Countess Stephanie and the Hereditary Grand Duke married in a civil ceremony at the Town Hall, on 19 October 2012. Their religious wedding took place on 20 October 2012 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Luxembourg. The bride wore a dress designed by Elie Sabb and the Lannoy family tiara. The bridal attendants were the bridegroom's sister Alexandra and nephew Gabriel, and the bride's nieces and nephew: Antonia and Madeleine Hamilton, Caroline and Louise Lannoy, and Isaure and Lancelot Court.

Titles and Styles

18 February 1984-19 October 2012: Her Illustrious Highness Countess Stephanie Lannoy

19 October 2012-present: Her Royal Highness The Hereditary Grand Duchess of Luxembourg

Born Countess Lannoy, Stephanie has been styled as "Her Royal Highness The Hereditary Grand Duchess of Luxembourg" since her marriage. Her full title and style is: "Her Royal Highness Princess Stephanie Marie Claudine Christine, Hereditary Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, Princess of Nassau, Princess of Bourbon-Parma"

Honours

Luxembourg: Grand Cross of Order of Adolphe

Religion: Roman Catholic

(https://yamm.finance)

House: Lannoy

Stephanie and Guillaume have a son, Prince Charles, born on 10 May 2020. He is second in the line of succession to the throne of Luxembourg.

(https://en.wikipedia.org)