Ahead of Tuesday's nuptials, Prince Felix of Luxembourg and his German fiancée Claire Lademacher have spoken to daily newspaper Luxemburger Wort about the tradition that lies behind their wedding ceremonies, and what awaits them as newlyweds. "We are expecting around 370 guests" confirms Felix, Luxembourg's second-in-line to the throne.
The 29-year-old goes on to explain why the young couple have chosen to marry in two separate ceremonies – a civil ceremony on Tuesday in the German town of Königstein, near the bride's home town of Frankfurt, followed by a religious ceremony to be held at the Sainte Marie-Madeleine de Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume basilica in the South of France. "It is tradition that the wedding is celebrated in the country where the bride was born", says the groom, who met his wife-to-be back in 2001 when the two were studying at renowned international boarding school Beau Soleil in Villars-sur-Ollon in Switzerland.
"We want to keep this tradition, which, as I think, is a sign of respect towards the family of my future wife. Additionally, the history of Königstein is closely connected with the history of the Grand Ducal family, which enforces the symbolic nature of the choice even more. "In another nod to tradition, Felix has organised the honeymoon, which still remains a surprise for his lucky fiancée. "The day after our wedding we will depart on our honeymoon, and I will personally take care of the organisation. It is tradition in our family that the destination of the honeymoon is a surprise for the bride, that is only revealed at the last minute before departure..."
German student Claire, 28, has also revealed the couple's plans to move to the south of France when they are married. "Aside of my dissertation, which I am currently working on, we decided to begin our life as newlyweds in the south of France, where we will manage a family winery," the pretty brunette heiress tells the Luxembourgish publication.
Prince Felix, who is the second son of Grand Duke Henri and his wife Maria Teresa, will wed just a year after his brother Prince Guillaume married Countess Stephanie de Lannoy in a lavish double ceremony.