Luxembourg royals cuddle up with a snowman in Switzerland as they share a rare full-family snap - weeks after Princess Stéphanie announced her first pregnancy

  • Grand Duke Henri, 64, and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, 63, shared rare photo
  • Couple posed with their five children, and four grandchildren in Switzerland
  • Group can be seen huddling around a festive snowman while on holiday
  • Comes after Princess Stéphanie and Prince Guillame announced pregnancy 

The Luxembourg royals delighted fans yesterday by releasing a rare snap of the whole family as they holidayed together in Switzerland. 

In the candid picture, which was shared to Facebook, Grand Duke Henri, 64, and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, 63, could be seen cuddling up with their family as they posed with a snowman wrapped up in a hat and scarf. 

The snap features Prince Felix, 35, and his wife Princess Claire, 34, with their children Princess Amalia, 5, and Prince Liam, 3, as well as Prince Louis, 33, with his children Prince Gabriel, 13, and Prince Noah, 12, and Princess Alexandra, 28, and Prince Sébastien, 27.

Meanwhile Crown Prince Guillaume, 38, and his wife Princess Stéphanie, 35, who recently announced they were expecting their first child, could also be seen peeking out from the back of the group.  

Luxembourg's first family delighted fans yesterday after releasing a rare full-family snap as they holidayed together in Switzerland (pictured left-right, Princess Amalia, 5, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, 63, Grand Duke Henri, 64, Prince Liam, 3, Prince Félix, 35, Princess Claire, 34, Princess Alexandra, 28, Prince Louis, 33, Princess Stéphanie, 35, Prince Guillame, 38, Prince Noah, 12, Prince Gabriel, 13, Prince Sébastien, 27)

Luxembourg's first family delighted fans yesterday after releasing a rare full-family snap as they holidayed together in Switzerland (pictured left-right, Princess Amalia, 5, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, 63, Grand Duke Henri, 64, Prince Liam, 3, Prince Félix, 35, Princess Claire, 34, Princess Alexandra, 28, Prince Louis, 33, Princess Stéphanie, 35, Prince Guillame, 38, Prince Noah, 12, Prince Gabriel, 13, Prince Sébastien, 27) 

The image was shared with the caption reading: 'The Grand-Ducal family gathered for the holidays under the sun in Switzerland.'  

Standing outside in the sunshine, the family looked to be in great spirits as they celebrated the festive season together.  

All family members appeared relaxed in the photograph as they huddled around, having built a snowman and adorned him with a hat and scarf.   

Grand Duchess Maria Teresa appeared in the forefront of the image wrapped up in a fur gilet while holding the hand of Princess Amalia, who wore a fetching pink unicorn onesie for the snap.  

It comes weeks after Princess Stéphanie and Crown Prince Guillaume announced they are expecting their first child together

It comes weeks after Princess Stéphanie and Crown Prince Guillaume announced they are expecting their first child together 

And Prince Noah leaned into his brother Prince Gabriel, who could be seen cradling a small puppy in his arms.  

Their mother Tessy Antony-de Nassau, who divorced Prince Louis in April 2019, did not appear to be in the photograph. 

Meanwhile the newly pregnant Princess Stéphanie beamed as she stood alongside husband Crown Prince Guillaume. 

The couple announced they were expecting their first child at the beginning of December and are set to become parents in May 2020, according to a statement by the Marshal of the Court.

The couple announced they are expecting at the start of December, sharing a series of portraits to mark the occasion

The couple announced they are expecting at the start of December, sharing a series of portraits to mark the occasion

It comes after a year filled of heartache for the royal couple, with Stéphanie's father passing away in January, before the death of Guillaume's grandfather war hero Grand Duke Jean in April.

In a statement released on December 6th, the Luxembourg royals said they were 'delighted with the news and share [the couple's great joy].

It read: 'Their Royal Highnesses the Grand Duke and Duchess are immensely pleased to announce that the Hereditary Grand Duke and Duchess are expecting their first child. The birth is scheduled for May. 

The history of Luxembourg's royal family 

Luxembourg is a constitutional monarchy in which the Grand Duke holds executive power and bills only become law with his signature.

Its monarchy is one of the youngest in Europe and began in 1815 following the Congress of Vienna at the end of the Napoleonic Wars.

Full independence under the Grand Dukes came just under 20 years later, when the Treaty of London enshrined Luxembourg's existence in international law and ended years of rule by the Burgundians, French, Prussians and the Dutch.

Although part of Luxembourg was later incorporated into what would, in 1839, become Belgium, the country remained intact through the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 and the First and Second World Wars.

In 1890 the grand duchy passed to Adolf, Duke of Nassau who ruled until 1905 - he was famed for his efforts to strengthen the territory's autonomy.

But, during the war, Luxembourg was occupied by German troops. The royal family fled and a government-in-exile was established in London.

In 1964 Grand Duchess Charlotte abdicated in favour of her son, who becomes Grand Duke Jean.

In 2000, Crown Prince Henri became Grand Duke of Luxembourg on the abdication of his father, Jean. Crown Prince Henri remains in his position today.

Much of the executive power lies with the prime minister - a grand duke appointee - and his cabinet. The duchy's figurehead remains a powerful and influential figure.

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'The Grand Duke, the Grand Duchess and the members of both families are delighted with the news and share their great joy.'

The palace released a series of portraits of the prince and princess to mark their announcement.

Prince Guillaume is the eldest child of Grand Duke Henri Luxembourg and his wife Grand Duchess Maria Teresa and the heir to the Luxembourg throne. 

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