The Coat of Arms

This section presents the Grand Ducal coat of arms of Luxembourg, explaining its history, evolution, and the heraldic elements it contains. A coat of arms is a symbolic representation of a sovereign’s authority, heritage, and dynastic connections.

The coat of arms traditionally associated with the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg was never incorporated into the official arms of the King Grand Dukes of the House of Orange-Nassau. Upon his accession to the throne in 1890, Grand Duke Adolphe therefore enjoyed considerable freedom to define the visual identity of his dynasty.

The first choice was a design combining the arms of the Walramian branch of the House of Nassau with those of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. This initial version circulated briefly and featured the Luxembourg coat of arms 'charged at the heart' with the Nassau shield, in the style of an inescutcheon.

From 1892, Grand Duke Adolphe sought to modify this design. He then adopted more complex dynastic arms, featuring a shield, or escutcheon, composed of sixteen fields, surmounted by six helmets and crests, with the four central quarters forming a quartered shield of Nassau and Luxembourg. This central shield was also used in the small and medium versions of the arms. The coat of arms, established by Grand Ducal decree on 28 July 1898, remained in use until the beginning of Grand Duke Henri's reign.

By Grand Ducal decrees of 23 February and 23 June 2001, Grand Duke Henri carried out a thorough revision of the Grand Ducal coat of arms. The 1898 arms were completely redesigned.

In the lesser and middle versions of the arms, the arms of Luxembourg now occupy the place of honour on the quartered shield (fields I and IV), clearly asserting the sovereign’s attachment to the country and emphasising his role as Head of State of Luxembourg.

The greater coat of arms is simplified: the shield is no longer divided into sixteen fields but is focused on the essential elements – Luxembourg and Nassau. A new inescutcheon ‘in heart’ bears the arms of the House of Bourbon-Parma, to which Prince Félix, husband of Grand Duchess Charlotte, belongs. The helmets and crests are replaced by a royal crown. The shield is surrounded by the insignia of the National Order of the Oak Crown, emphasising the role of Head of State. The two lions serving as supporters have also been modified: on the dexter side, the Luxembourg lion now has a forked tail crossed in saltire, reflecting the red lion at the centre of the Luxembourg shield; on the sinister side, the lion recalls the one in the Nassau arms. Both supporters act as banner holders, each holding a Luxembourgish flag.

The new coat of arms introduced by Grand Duke Henri reflects the intentions of a modern Head of State, aware of contemporary political realities. They emphasise Luxembourgish sovereignty while also affirming the dynastic ties with the House of Nassau and the paternal ancestors of the House of Bourbon-Parma.

Quarterly, in I and IV the arms of Luxembourg, barry of ten Argent and Azure, a lion rampant, queue forchee and saltired Gules, armed, langued and crowned Or, in II and III the arms of Nassau, Azure semy of billets Or, a lion crowned Or, armed and langued Gules.
The shield is surmounted by a royal crown.

The small coats of arms increased by supports, a dexter lion crowned, regardant, queue forchee and saltired Or, armed and langued Gules and a sinister lion crowned Or, armed and langued Gules.

Quarterly, in I and IV the arms of Luxembourg, barry of ten Argent and Azure, a lion rampant, queue forchee and saltired Gules, armed, langued and crowned Or, in II and III the arms of Nassau, Azure semy of billets Or, a lion crowned Or, armed and langued Gules. On an escutcheon of pretence the arms of Bourbon-Parma, Azure three (two, one) fleurs-de-lis Or within a bordure Gules charged with eight shells Argent.
The shield is surmounted by a royal crown and encircled by the ribbon and the cross of the Order of the Oak Crown.
The supporters are a dexter lion crowned, regardant, queue forchee and saltired Or, armed and langued Gules and a sinister lion crowned Or, armed and langued Gules, both lions holding the Luxembourg flag fimbriated Or.
All is surrounded by a purpure mantle doubled with ermine, bordered, fimbriated and tied Or and surmounted by a royal crown, the flags are surpassing the mantle.