The Grand Ducal Family

H.R.H. Prince Félix of Bourbon-Parma

Born on

28 September 1893

in Schwarzau am Steinfeld, Austria

Le Prince Félix — © Photographic collections / Maison grand-ducale de Luxembourg

Biography

Félix, Prince of Luxembourg, Prince of Bourbon-Parma, became the first Prince Consort on 6 November 1919, when he married Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg. They had six children:

Crown Prince Jean;
Princess Elisabeth;
Princess Marie-Adélaïde;
Princess Marie-Gabrielle of Luxembourg;
Prince Charles;
Princess Alix.

He died on 8 April 1970 in Fischbach.

Le Prince Félix de Bourbon-Parme — © Photographic collections / Maison grand-ducale de Luxembourg

H.R.H. Prince Félix of Bourbon-Parma

For more information on H.R.H. Grand Duchess Charlotte

Read her biography

Childhood and youth

Félix Marie Vincent of Bourbon was the sixth of twelve children, the son of the last exiled Duke Robert of Parma of the House of Bourbon, who reigned until 1860, and his second wife, Duchess Maria Antonia of Braganza, Infanta of Portugal, younger sister of Grand Duchess Maria Ana.

Prince Félix attended boarding schools in Austria and England, where he obtained his baccalaureate in 1913.

During World War I, he completed his military service in Austria with two of his brothers, while his other two brothers were active in the Belgian army. As a first lieutenant, Prince Félix saved his brother-in-law, Emperor Charles of Austria, from drowning in 1917.

After he got engaged to Princess Charlotte in November 1918, he gave up his service as a cavalry captain in the Austrian army.

Le Prince Félix avec ses frères et soeurs — © Photographic collections / Maison grand-ducale de Luxembourg

Prince Félix with his brothers and sisters

Marriage to Grand Duchess Charlotte

Félix received the title of Prince of Luxembourg upon his marriage to Grand Duchess Charlotte on 6 November 1919. The young couple moved to Berg Castle, the residence of the Grand Duchess.

With tact and sensitivity, Prince Félix managed to make a name for himself in Luxembourg. He was appointed honorary colonel of the Compagnie des Volontaires (Volunteer Company) and was President of the Luxembourg Red Cross from 1923 to 1932, then from 1947 to 1969. From 1937 to 1951 and from 1961 to 1969, he was a member of the Council of State.

La Grande Duchesse Charlotte et le Prince Felix

Read the biography of H.R.H. Grand Duchess Charlotte

World War II, time of exile

Several international developments, which were to be seen as the first signs of World War II, prompted Prince Félix to start planning for a possible exile of the Grand Ducal Family in 1939. He established the first contacts with President Roosevelt. In consultation with Foreign Minister Joseph Bech, he prepared the establishment of a Luxembourg legation in Washington.

On 10 May 1940, he followed the Grand Duchess and the Luxembourg Government into exile via France and Spain to Portugal. In July, Prince Félix went to the United States with his six children. The Grand Duchess joined them in October before the Family moved to Montreal, Canada, in December, where the Princes and Princesses stayed and continued their studies. In August 1941, the Grand Duchess and Prince Félix flew to London and settled there for the duration of the war. Good relations with the United States were consolidated, inter alia through several receptions organised by President Roosevelt at the White House in 1942.

In 1942, Prince Félix and the Crown Prince decided to join the British army as volunteers to fight with the Allies to liberate Luxembourg. From November 1942 onwards, Prince Félix served in the Northern Command of the British Army. In May 1944, he was appointed head of the Luxembourg military mission to the Supreme Headquarters of the Allied Expeditionary Forces.

After the Allied landings in Normandy, Prince Félix took part in the liberation of Paris and on 10 September 1944 in the liberation of Luxembourg City. During the Battle of the Bulge, he remained in Luxembourg and assisted the Allies in the defence of the country.

On 14 April 1945, he accompanied the Grand Duchess on her triumphant return to Luxembourg. The Grand Ducal Family moved to Fischbach Castle. Prince Félix was entrusted with the duties of Inspector General of the new Luxembourg Army from 1945 to 1967. From 1947 onwards, he accompanied the Grand Duchess on numerous official visits abroad, the last of which were a visit to the United States and a State visit to Paris in 1963.

Le Prince Félix, le Prince Jean et Winston Churchill — © Photographic collections / Maison grand-ducale de Luxembourg

Sir Winston Churchill's visit to Luxembourg in 1946

At Fischbach Castle

After her abdication in 1964, Grand Duchess Charlotte retired with Prince Félix to Fischbach Castle. On the occasion of their golden wedding anniversary in 1969, the entire country took part in this celebration, a way for the population to pay yet another tribute to these emblematic figures of the Nation.

Prince Félix is buried in the Grand Ducal crypt of the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Luxembourg and remains in the memory of the Luxembourg population as one of the most faithful servants of the country and the dynasty.