Marie-Adélaïde, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg

Who was Marie-Adélaïde, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg?

Marie-Adélaïde, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, reigned from 1912 to 1919. She was the first grand duchess regnant of Luxembourg, and its first female monarch since Maria Theresa, and the first Luxembourgish monarch to be born within the territory since John the Blind.

Named as heir presumptive by her father William IV in 1907 to prevent a succession crisis due to his lack of a son, Marie-Adélaïde became grand duchess in 1912. She ruled through the First World War, and her perceived support for the German occupation led to unpopularity in Luxembourg as well as neighbouring France and Belgium. In 1919, on the advice of Parliament, she abdicated in favour of her younger sister Charlotte.

After abdicating, Marie-Adélaïde became a nun in Italy, before leaving due to ill health. She died of influenza in Germany in 1924.