Speech on the occasion of the luncheon offered by the King and the Queen of Spain | 05/03/2026

Majestades,

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

The Grand Duchess and I are are deeply grateful for the warm welcome we’ve received by Your Majesties. It is a great honour to be here at the Royal Palace, and to share this moment in such a distinguished and beautiful setting.

This visit holds particular significance for us. It is among the first visits undertaken in my new role as Grand Duke of Luxembourg following my accession to the throne last October, and it takes place here, in a country particularly close to us.

Our presence here indeed reflects a long tradition of close ties and regular exchanges between our two Families. It also stands as a reminder of the shared history and values that form the foundation of the enduring friendship between our two peoples.

Majestades,

Permit me to recall the renowned words of the Spanish poet Antonio Machado, whose verse carries timeless wisdom: “Caminante, no hay camino, se hace camino al andar” - “Traveller, there is no path; the path is made by walking.”
These words remind us that the paths between countries are forged step by step. For more than 500 years, Spain and Luxembourg have walked such a path together, leaving traces in our history and culture.

In Luxembourg, names familiar to Spanish history such as Felipe segundo, Monterey, Mansfeld or Louvigny, are not only remembered; they are part of our streets and our architectural heritage. Their presence in the Old and Upper Towns of Luxembourg City bears witness to a significant chapter of our shared past. Along the fortifications, one can still admire the “échauguettes espagnoles”, the Spanish turrets that have become iconic elements of our skyline.

The Grand Ducal Palace itself, where I fulfil my daily duties as Head of State, originates from the reconstruction of the former Town Hall during the Spanish period. Initiated under Governor Mansfeld, it is regarded as a true jewel of Spanish Renaissance architecture.
These centuries of shared history, marked by the influence of the Spanish period on Luxembourg’s architecture, religion, and education, have forged enduring bonds between us. They remain visible today in our cityscape and continue to enrich the narrative of our country.

Majestades,

Our ties are not only rooted in history; they live above all through our people.
Today, nearly 10,000 Spanish nationals reside in Luxembourg - a number that has doubled over the past decade. Their presence contributes significantly to the economic, social, and cultural vitality of our country. Many of our Spanish citizens are shaping Luxembourg’s future by working in the European institutions, in finance and insurance, and increasingly in start-ups and innovation ecosystems.

At the same time, a growing number of Luxembourg students choose Spain for their higher education, building bridges across generations. Tomorrow, here in Madrid, I will have the pleasure of addressing the students of a prestigious institution and reflecting with them on the challenges facing our common project, the European Union.

Spain also remains one of the most beloved holiday destinations for people from Luxembourg - a testament to the hospitality, culture, and beauty that your country offers.

These strong people-to-people ties reflect our shared values and the close affinity between our societies. They moreover underpin our cooperation within the European Union and guide the path we continue to pursue together.

Majestades,

As we were preparing this visit, I came across a speech delivered by my late grandfather, Grand Duke Jean, during the State Visit of your parents, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía, to Luxembourg in 1980. What caught my eye was his strong reference to Spain’s candidature to the European Union and the clear support that Luxembourg expressed at that time.
He described Spain’s future accession as something that would enrich Europe politically, economically and culturally. His words carried great hope for Spain’s integration into the European project.

Today, forty years after Spain joined the European Union, I can say that his hopes were fully justified. Spain’s membership is a success story. Our two countries today operate within a shared legal, economic, diplomatic and cultural framework. Looking back at his reflections, what was then a vision of a more united Europe is now part of our everyday life.

Through shared membership in the Union, the single market, the Schengen Area, and many joint initiatives, Spain and Luxembourg now work side by side in ways that earlier generations could hardly imagine. The hopes once expressed for stability, prosperity and closer cooperation in the European Union have gradually turned into tangible achievements.

In the spirit of that verse by Machado, the path we are walking is not only bilateral, it is profoundly European.

Majestades,

A strong Europe is even more important when we look at the world today. The foundations of the international order that have ensured stability, peace and prosperity since the end of the Second World War are facing unprecedented challenges. Global tensions, a war of aggression on our continent, economic uncertainty and climate-related crises are testing our collective ability to uphold these principles.

When the basic rules of mutual respect and international law are disregarded, open societies and open economies, built on free trade and the rule of law, become more vulnerable. Instability can fuel fear and division, making communities more prone to polarisation and the spread of misinformation.

In this context, our friendship with Spain gains even greater meaning. This visit offers a timely opportunity to reaffirm our common values and priorities, strengthen cooperation, and demonstrate that our countries stand together in an increasingly complex world.
I am grateful for the opportunity to recognise the thriving economic partnership that continues to unite our two countries. Three ministers, responsible for key portfolios in trade, finance, the economy and energy, accompany us on this visit, reflecting the Luxembourg Government’s strong commitment to deepening relations with our closest partners. They regularly lead trade and financial missions to Spain.

And you, Your Majesty, further underscore the strength of these economic links. You graciously welcome today numerous economic actors from both our countries, whose presence here embodies the depth and dynamism of our partnership.

Your Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

En este espíritu, levanto mi copa en honor de Sus Majestades el Rey y la Reina, por el brillante futuro del pueblo español y por el fortalecimiento continuo de la amistad entre nuestros dos países. 

It is in this spirit that I raise my glass in honour of Their Majesties the King and the Queen, to the bright future of the Spanish people and to the continued strengthening of the friendship between our two countries.