Prince Henri received his primary and secondary education in Luxembourg and France, where he obtained his baccalaureate in 1975. He later enrolled at the University of Geneva, to study political sciences, and graduated in 1980. Between 1978 and 1980, Prince Henri undertook a number of educational courses in the United States of America.
The Grand Duke speaks Luxembourgish, French, English and German.
In 1974, Prince Henri undertook his military training at the Royal Military Academy of Sandhurst, in England, and received the status of officer in 1975. He was later made a captain of the Luxembourg Army.
In 1989, as Hereditary Grand Duke, he was made an honorary major of the Parachute Regiment, in the UK. Since 6 October 2000, the Grand Duke has been a general of the Luxembourg Army. In his capacity as head of state, he is also the commander-in-chief.
Whilst studying at the University of Geneva, Prince Henri met Maria Teresa Mestre. Of Swiss nationality, she and her family originally came from Cuba. The couple were married on 14 February 1981 at the Cathedral of Our Lady in Luxembourg.
They have five children: Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume (born 11 November 1981), Prince Felix (born 3 June 1984), Prince Louis (born 3 August 1986), Princess Alexandra (born 16 February 1991) and Prince Sebastien (born 16 April 1992).
For a number of years the family lived at Fischbach Castle, near Mersch. Since the Grand Duke's accession, they have resided at Berg Castle. Summer holidays are spent at La Tour Sarrazine, the family's home in the South of France.
With the accession of his father in 1964, Prince Henri became heir to the Luxembourg throne. Between 1980 and 1998, he was a member of the Council of State, thereby enabling him to become familiar with the Grand Duchy's legislative process.
Grand Duke Jean abdicated in favour of Prince Henri during a ceremony at the Grand-Ducal Palace on 7 October 2000. Immediately afterwards, Grand Duke Henri took the constitutional oath before the Chamber of Deputies.
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