Wedding of Prince Félix: religious ceremony in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume

On 21 September 2013, His Royal Highness Prince Félix of Luxembourg took Claire Lademacher as his wife during a religious ceremony in the Basilica of Sainte Marie-Madeleine de Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume. The wedding was celebrated in the presence of members of the respective families and friends as well as the public, who was invited to take part in the ceremony as far as seats were available.

The bride wore a long-sleeved Elie Saab haute couture gown in Chantilly silk, embroidered with plant motifs in cream and silver silk threads, enhanced with transparent crystals and pearly sequins; accompanied by a veil in ivory silk tulle, decorated with neo-baroque plant motifs echoing the motifs of the gown; as well as a train in ivory Chantilly lace.

The wedding mass was presided over by H.E. Monsignor Jean-Claude Hollerich S.J., Archbishop of Luxembourg. A choir and an orchestra accompanied by an organist provided the musical programme for the religious ceremony; namely the boys' choir 'Pueri cantores' and the Chamber Orchestra of the Conservatoire de la Ville de Luxembourg under the direction of Pierre Nimax jr.; at the organ of the Basilica, the titular organist of the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Luxembourg, Paul Breisch.

The wedding rings made of yellow fair trade gold, a deliberate choice of the young couple, mark their particular attention to environmental issues and their respect of the rules of ethical trade. The bride wore the vine leaf tiara, given to her by H.R.H. the Grand Duchess, which the four Princesses, daughters of the late Grand Duchess Charlotte, had also worn on their wedding day. At the end of the ceremony, a reception was held at the convent of Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, bringing together the respective families and friends of the young couple.

Left to right, 1st to 4th row:

Prince Gabriel, Mrs Gabriele Lademacher, Mr Harmut Lademacher, Princess Claire, Prince Félix, the Grand Duchess, Prince Noah, the Grand Duke, Grand Duke Jean

Prince Sébastien, Princess Alexandra, Mr Félix Lademacher, the Crown Prince, the Crown Princess, Prince Louis

M. Volkmar Schneider, Princess Sibilla, Archiduchess Marie-Astrid and Archiduke Christian, Mme Czempiel, Dr. Joachim Schneider, Princess Margaretha, Prince Nicolas

Mrs Neda Schneider, Mrs Catalina Mestre, Prince Guillaume, Mr Victor Batista, Mr Czempiel, Mr Antonio Mestre, Mrs Verena Schneider, Countess Diane de Nassau, Mrs Nicole Mestre, Mr Luis Mestre