For seventy years, Europe had an heir to the throne called Prince Charles. Three years after that first in line became Monarch, the continent is about to welcome another heir with the same name.

Luxembourg will see a change of power in 2025 when Grand Duke Henri steps aside in favour of his eldest son, Guillaume. And as he assumed the Grand Ducal throne, Guillaume’s own first born son will become heir and that little royal is – Prince Charles.

Guillaume and his wife, Stephanie, have two boys. Charles was born in May 2020 and his little brother, Francois, arrived in March 2023. When Guillaume takes the throne, his elder child will take his rather unwieldy title and become the Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg.

Charles will be the youngest heir in Europe when he moves up to first in line. The current youngest is Monaco’s heir, Prince Jacques, but at the grand old age of ten, he’ll have to cede this title to young Charles.

Charles Jean Philippe Joseph Marie Guillaume was born on May 10th 2020, at the height of the first lockdown with his proud parents bringing him out of hospital wearing masks and staying a long way away from the socially distanced photographers who had come to record the moment for posterity.

Prince Charles and his brother, Prince Francois are already regulars on the royal engagement circuit. Their parents regularly take them out, particularly to retirement homes, to meet the people of Luxembourg.

The last prince called Charles to be heir to a throne held the role of first in line for seven decades. The man who is now King Charles III became heir on February 6th 1952 and didn’t accede to the throne until September 8th 2022. He is the longest serving heir in recorded history.

The change of Grand Duke in Luxembourg will be a moment of royal history but it will also bring back a very familiar sound – that of an heir called Prince Charles.