Prince Louis and Princess Tessy of Luxembourg finalised their divorce on Friday, almost a month after announcing that they were separating. The couple were not present at the proceedings but were granted a 'quickie' divorce at the Central Family Court in London, with the judge granting them a decree nisi in just a matter of minutes. Tessy had filed for divorce in January, citing Louis' "unreasonable behaviour" as grounds for their separation. Court documents made public revealed that a judge found she was "entitled to a decree of divorce, the marriage having irretrievably broken down, the facts found proved being the respondent's unreasonable behaviour".
© Photo: Getty ImagesPrince Louis and Princess Tessy have finalised their divorce
The royal palace announced earlier this year that the couple were set to divorce, in a statement released on behalf of Louis' parents, Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa. "Their Royal Highnesses the Grand Duke and the Grand Duchess regret to announce that Prince Louis and Princess Tessy have decided to divorce," read the statement, which was written in French. "In these difficult times, they ask for privacy."
Tessy later released a separate statement confirming the "extremely sad" news, explaining that their "two precious boys", Gabriel, ten, and nine-year-old Noah, would remain the couple's priority. "'I am very sad to confirm that Louis and I are getting divorced after 12 years together," she wrote in the statement. "Despite our separation, we will always remain unified by parenthood to our two precious boys."
© Photo: RexThe couple tied the knot in 2006
She continued: "It is extremely sad for both of us to realise that we will walk separate life paths from now on. In these challenging times, I ask for privacy for both of us and especially the privacy of our children to be respected. No further comment will be given at this stage."
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The couple had tied the knot in September 2006, six months after Tessy gave birth to their first child; Gabriel was also the first grandchild for the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess. Upon their marriage, Louis gave up his succession rights as well as those of the couple's children. He retained his title as the Prince of Luxembourg; Tessy was given her title the Princess of Luxembourg in June 2009, on the country's National Day.
