25th Birthday of Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume

Grand Duke Henri's portrait with, slightly behind and to the right, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume's portrait — both facing right. The year 2006 appears below the portraits between the letter "S" and the mint mark. The inscription "LËTZEBUERG" arcs along the upper inner edge.

In 2008 a retrospective set was issued comprising the Luxembourg €2 commemorative coins of 2004–2008 (LU-04 G1, LU-05 G2, LU-06 G2, LU-07 G1, LU-07 G2, LU-08 G1).

Guillaume, Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg, was born on 11 November 1981 as the first child of Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa. As heir to the House of Nassau-Weilburg, he stands in a tradition that has shaped the small Grand Duchy for centuries. Guillaume completed his education in Luxembourg and in Britain, including at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, and subsequently served in the Luxembourg army. His role as hereditary Grand Duke carries with it substantial representational duties for a country which, despite its small size, holds a prominent position in Europe as a founding member state of the European Union and a major financial centre.

Luxembourg is among the smallest, yet also the wealthiest, countries in the world. Located on the borders of Belgium, France and Germany, it has a chequered history - from Burgundian and Habsburg rule through the Napoleonic era to today's constitutional monarchy under the House of Nassau-Weilburg. The Grand Duchy has been sovereign since 1815 and, over the course of the 20th century, gradually abandoned its neutrality in favour of an active policy of Western alliance. The monarchy continues to enjoy broad support in Luxembourg society today. On the occasion of the 25th birthday of Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume, Luxembourg issued a 2-euro commemorative coin in 2006, marking this moment in the succession of the Luxembourg ruling house.