Before a beautiful young woman from Bucklebury captured the heart of England's heir and the Prince of Monaco married a South African swimmer, Maria Teresa found love with Luxembourg's Grand Duke Henri.Also a commoner by birth, Maria, who hails from Havana, Cuba, was to marry into the royal family of the world's second richest country.Now, 31 years on, as Maria's son Prince Guillaume prepares to wed Stephanie de Lannoy, onlookers will no doubt be reminded of the union of Guillaume's mother and father, the current heads of state. Henri and Maria married in February 1981 having met whilst both studying political science in Geneva. They went on to have five children.Guillaume, whose wedding is set for October 20, is the eldest, followed by his 28-year-old brother Felix, Louis, 26, sister Alexandra, 21, and his youngest brother Sebastian, who is 20.Prince Louis and his wife Princess Tessy have also given the Duke and Duchess two grandchildren, Gabriel and Noah.Whilst Henri and his Cuba-born partner have maintained a strong relationship over their 31 years of marriage, Maria revealed that there had been some difficulty between herself and her mother-in-law, Princess Josephine Charlotte of Belguim.When Henri's mother died in 2000, Maria spoke out saying that the two women had never had a good relationship as Josephine disliked her origin.In October, when Stephanie, 28, will offically become part of the Luxembourg royal family, no doubt scenes from Henri and Maria's classic wedding will be in mind.
Henri and María became engaged in 1980 after Henri's father, Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg, gave his consent to the union.
The Luxembourg royal and his Cuban wife then married in February 1981
In a church adorned with flowers the bride wore a classic white dress, with a long train, round neck and sleeves
Henri looked dashing and smart in his military uniform. The Grand Duke had undertaken his army training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, in England
The joyful couple stepped out on the palace balcony to address the crowds of supporters
They then shared a loving embrace
