section_path: Background
section_name: Background
paragraph_text: Background
  
  Per tradition by the Grand Ducal family of Luxembourg, the monarch, prior to their abdication, typically appoints their heir apparent as Lieutenant-Representative (regent), meaning they assume most of their constitutional powers to prepare them prior to acceding to the throne. On 28 April 1961, Prince Jean of Luxembourg was made Lieutenant-Representative by his mother, Charlotte, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, to prepare him for the position. Charlotte abdicated in his favour on 12 November 1964. Similarly, Jean made his son, Henri, Lieutenant-Representative on 4 March 1998, before he formally abdicated on 7 October 2000.
  
  During the twentieth anniversary of his accession to the throne and following the release of the Waringo report, Henri was asked by the Luxembourg Times whether circling rumours of his imminent abdication were true. Henri said an abdication "isn't possible" and added that it would "be like surrendering". In April 2024, following the abdication of Margrethe II of Denmark, Henri was interviewed by La Libre and was questioned on his possible future retirement. Henri answered that he "intends to retire at some point" and confirmed, "There are plans. There will come a day when it will have to be done, and I intend to retire at some point. It's obvious." He explained that his future abdication had been planned and discussed in "family consultation" and when asked whether he knew when it would occur, he responded, "Yes, but I won't tell you that!"