Grand Duchess Charlotte Dies; Ruled 46 Years

Grand Duchess Charlotte, who reigned for nearly 46 years in this tiny European nation, died today, the Grand Ducal palace announced. She was 89.

She was given extreme unction in the morning and died in the afternoon, the palace said.

Grand Duchess Charlotte ascended the throne in 1919 and abdicated in 1964 in favor of her eldest son, Jean, now the reigning grand duke.

She had been ill for several weeks, but the court officially reported her illness only two weeks ago.

Charlotte was born Jan. 23, 1896, and took the throne 10 months before she married Prince Philip of Bourbon Parma, who died in 1970. They had six children.

Although she abdicated Nov. 12, 1964, in favor her son, under law she did not give up her title of grand duchess of this nation of 366,000 people nestled among France, West Germany and Belgium.

Sister Forced to Resign

Charlotte succeeded her elder sister, Marie-Adelaide, who had been forced to resign because of her pro-German feelings during World War I, causing a split in public opinion about the monarchy.

The popularity of the new duchess grew so quickly, however, that 80% of the voters supported the monarchy over a republic in a referendum held only eight months after her reign began.

When Nazi Germany invaded Luxembourg on May 10, 1940, Charlotte and the government went into exile, first to France and then to London.

Her popularity was just as great when she returned five years later.

“Madame, we love you,” was the greeting by Prime Minister Jean Dupong when she returned April 14, 1945, to a rapturous welcome by her people.