Grand Ducal Palace, Luxembourg

The building was first the city hall of Luxembourg from 1572 to 1795, the seat of the prefecture of the Département des Forêts in 1795, and then the headquarters of the Luxembourg Government in 1817. From 1817, the palace became the residence of the governor, the representative of the Dutch grand dukes. As such, it was used by Prince Henry, during his time as lieutenant-representative of Luxembourg. The building's interior was renovated in 1883, in preparation of a visit by King William III and Queen Emma, grand duke and grand duchess of Luxembourg. With the accession of the House of Nassau-Weilburg in 1890, the palace was reserved exclusively for the grand duke and his family. ==The Palace today==

As the official residence of the grand duke, the palace is used by him in the exercise of his official functions. He and the Grand Duchess, together with their staff, have their offices at the palace, and the state rooms on the first floor are used for a variety of meetings and audiences. On Christmas Eve, the Grand Duke's Christmas message is broadcast from the Yellow Room. Foreign heads of state are accommodated at the palace, as guests of the grand duke and grand duchess, during official visits to Luxembourg, and the Ballroom is the setting for state banquets in their honour. Throughout the year, numerous other receptions take place at the palace, such as the New Year's reception given for members of the Government and the Chamber of Deputies. In the summer months, the palace is open to the public for guided tours. Most years, tours run from mid-July to mid-September with tours offered in Luxembourgish, French, English and German. ==See also==