Prince Felix of Luxembourg married his German sweetheart Claire Lademacher in a civil union on Tuesday, and the couple’s second wedding – promising more pomp, ceremony and 370 guests – is set to take place on Saturday.With the Grand Ducal Family celebrating the marriage of the second-in-line to the throne, and the addition of another stunning brunette to the ranks of Luxembourg's princesses, HELLO! Online has collected some interesting facts about the happy couple and their wedding...
1. Felix and Claire met 12 years ago when they were both studying at renowned international boarding school Beau Soleil in Villars-sur-Ollon in Switzerland. The duo also went on to pursure a career in bioethics and study at the same Italian university – the Pontifical University Regina Apostolorum in Rome.The prince, second in line to the throne, told Luxembourgish publication Luxemburger Wort shortly before tying the knot: "Over the following years a strong friendship developed and has become the basis for our love."
2. Felix and Claire's intimate civil ceremony took place on Tuesday in the town of Königstein, near the bride's home city Frankfurt in a nod to tradition. Their religious wedding, to take place on Saturday, will be held at the Sainte Marie-Madeleine de Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume basilica in the South of France because the newlyweds have fond memories of the region.German heiress Claire said: "We both have wonderful memories of summer holidays spent in the south of France, both at the property of my parents near Lorgues and with my future in-laws as well as our respective families and friends at Cabasson.The idea of getting married in the Provence came naturally as we wanted to add to those precious moments with our loved ones."
3. Prince Felix's future brother-in-law Felix Lademacher was his witness for the civil wedding, while Claire opted for her future sister-in-law, Princess Alexandra, in a move that reinforces the close relationships that each enjoy with the brothers and sisters of their new spouse.4. The couple plan to begin married life in the south of France and begin a new career together. Claire told the Luxembourgish publication: "Apart from me finishing my PhD, we have decided that we will move to Southern France after the wedding to run the vineyard estate of the family."
5. A man of tradition as well as a romantic, 29-year-old Prince Felix has organised the entire honeymoon himself, the details of which – as well as the destination – remain a secret from his new wife. "It has been a tradition in my family that the bride doesn't know in advance what the destination is and so that it will be a surprise revealed shortly before leaving," he said.