More details have emerged after reports of staff mistreatment by Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg.
At the end of December, it was revealed the Grand Duchess had been involved in a verbal altercation with a staff member.
RTL reported that the newspaper Lëtzebuerger Land published a report on the situation in 2022.
The altercation occurred at the end of October when the Grand Duchess was trying on clothes for a photo shoot for her daughter, Princess Alexandra’s wedding. More staff was called in as the staff on hand became overwhelmed.
A few days later, Maria Teresa called the Court Marshall and her assistants regarding the clothing situation. She lectured them for “poor organisation,” and concerned staff were not defended against the accusations. Two weeks later, Prime Minister Xavier Bettel went to the Grand Ducal Palace to discuss the incident with Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa.
Reportedly, the Prime Minister gave an ultimatum at the meeting and is said to be monitoring the situation “very closely.” The report on the government’s investigation is due next month.
According to d’Lëtzebuerger Land‘ and RTL, the employee involved was transferred away from the Grand Ducal Family to another department.
It is understood that the employee requested the transfer.
However, it did lead to an investigation by the government, led by the Secretary General of the Council of Government, Jacques Files.
The Grand Ducal Family called the verbal altercation an “isolated incident” and said it was “regrettable.”
This was not the first time Maria Teresa has been involved in a controversy regarding her treatment of staff. The government investigated the Grand Ducal Court in 2020 and determined that a culture of fear was dominant.
