Tessy Antony de Nassau

Tessy Antony de Nassau
Antony de Nassau in 2019
Born	Tessy Antony (1985-10-28) 28 October 1985 (age 38) Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Occupation(s)	Businesswoman, soldier [1]
Spouses	Prince Louis of Luxembourg ​ ​ (m. 2006;div. 2019)​ Frank Floessel ​ (m. 2021)​
Children	3
Parents	François Antony (father) Régine Anne Heidemann (mother)

Tessy Antony de Nassau (born 28 October 1985), formerly Princess Tessy of Luxembourg, is a Luxembourgish businesswoman and non-profit executive. She is a former member of the Grand Ducal Family of Luxembourg as the ex-wife of Prince Louis of Luxembourg, the third son of Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg.

The couple married in 2006 and had two sons. In January 2017, they announced their separation and intent to divorce, with divorce proceedings occurring in London. Their divorce was finalized on 4 April 2019. Upon their divorce, Antony de Nassau lost her titles of princess of Luxembourg, Bourbon-Parma, and of Nassau.

Early life

Tessy Antony was born on 28 October 1985 in Luxembourg City, the daughter of François Antony and Régine Anne Heidemann. ^[2] She has one older sister and three brothers. ^[3] One of her older brothers died shortly after his birth. ^[4]

After attending a technical high school in Pétange, (south of Luxembourg City), Antony and her twin brother Ronny joined the Luxembourg Army at the age of 18, eventually rising to the rank of Corporal. ^[5] From March to July 2004, she took part in a mission in Yugoslavia, as Sdt 1cl Chauffeur C2, in Mitrovica within KFOR, the NATO peacekeeping force in Kosovo. ^[5] She is fluent in Luxembourgish, French, English, and German. ^[6] She took lessons at a music school in Differdange and plays the alto saxophone. ^[6]

Further education

Antony de Nassau studied at Richmond, The American International University in London in 2011 where she obtained a BA (Hons) degree in International Relations in 2014. She wrote her thesis on the rise of nationalism in Europe, using the example of the Greek far-right party Golden Dawn. Additionally, from 2005 to 2009, Antony de Nassau attended several trainings and lectures relating to the topics of "Education and psychology."^{[ citation needed ]} She earned her MA degree in International Studies and Diplomacy from SOAS, University of London in 2015. ^{[7] [ better source needed ]} She further has a Doctorate in Integrative Medicine (IMD) and is a PhD candidate at Quantum University, ^[8] an institution offering online degrees in pseudoscience and alternative medicine. ^[9]

Career

In 2016, Antony de Nassau co-founded Professors Without Borders, an NGO specializing in international educational efforts, and is currently^{[ when? ]} its Director of Logistics. ^[10] She currently^{[ when? ]} works as founder and partner for Finding Butterflies Consulting, a consulting service focused on corporate social responsibility projects in education and female empowerment. ^[11]

Marriages and family

Marriage to Prince Louis of Luxembourg

Antony met Prince Louis for the first time while he was a member of the army. ^[12]

On 12 March 2006, Antony gave birth to a boy, christened Gabriel Michael Louis Ronny de Nassau, ^[13] who was born at a private Swiss hospital, Clinic des Grangettes, in Geneva. ^[14] The baby was the first grandchild for Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa.

Antony on her wedding day

The couple married on 29 September 2006 at a parish church in Gilsdorf. ^[15] Upon their marriage, Prince Louis gave up succession rights for himself and his descendants, but retained the title of Prince of Luxembourg and the style of Royal Highness. The couple's second son, Noah Etienne Guillaume Gabriel Matthias Xavier de Nassau, was born on 21 September 2007 at Grand Duchess Charlotte Maternity Hospital.^{[ citation needed ]} The couple's sons were initially given the surname de Nassau with no titles. ^[16]

On Luxembourg's National Day on 23 June 2009, a decree was issued granting Tessy the title of Princess of Luxembourg and Princess of Bourbon-Parma with the style Her Royal Highness. The same decree gave the title Prince of Nassau and style Royal Highness to her and Louis' sons Gabriel and Noah and possible future children. In 2012, Princess Tessy received the Order of Civil and Military Merit of Adolph of Nassau. ^{[17] [18]} The decree granting Tessy de Nassau the rank of Princess of Luxembourg was, however, unlike previous decrees conferring titles, not made transparent to the public.^{[ citation needed ]}

On 18 January 2017, the Grand Ducal Court announced the separation of the Prince and Princess, and their intention to divorce, ^[19] whereupon Princess Tessy lost her Grand Ducal titles. However, Articles 1 and 4 of the 1995 Grand Ducal Decree (as amended) state:

Article 1. In the public and private acts which concern them, the Princes and Princesses born in the first degree of descent from the Sovereign shall bear the style of 'Royal Highness' before their given name and the surname '(de) Nassau' and shall bear the title of 'Prince or Princess of Luxembourg' following their given and surnames. Children of the heir presumptive shall be designated in the same manner... Article 4. In the event of separation of bed and board, of divorce or remarriage after spousal death, the titles enjoyed by consorts of the Princes of Our House in accordance with the present decree shall be lost forthwith. ^[20]

The divorce proceedings occurred in London, ^[19] and the divorce was finalized on 4 April 2019. ^{[21] [ better source needed ]}

Marriage to Frank Floessel

On 31 December 2020, Antony de Nassau announced her engagement to Swiss businessman Frank Floessel on social media. ^{[22] [ better source needed ]} They married on 23 July 2021 in Zürich, Switzerland. ^[23] She gave birth to a son, Theodor Frank on 26 August 2021. He is Antony de Nassau's third and Floessel's second child. ^[24]

Activities

In April 2016, Antony de Nassau was awarded the Mrongovius Medal for humanitarian involvement. ^[25]

Antony de Nassau is currently^{[ when? ]} UNAIDS Global Advocate for Young Women and Adolescent Girls. ^[3] She is involved in charities and NGOs acting in favour of people with specific needs. She actively takes part in charitable events in Luxembourg as well as in London. She has been an active member of the Luxembourg "Groupe de Support Psychologique" (GSP) for the past five years.

Antony de Nassau became an ambassador for Shongolulu. ^{[26] [27]} The company, based in San Diego, California, donates a percentage of their profit to support Wildlife Alliance. ^[28]

Hobbies

A keen sportsperson, Antony de Nassau regularly practises the following sports: swimming, spinning, hiking, pilates, scuba diving, spinning, skiing and hunting. She is a member of the Niederkorn Fanfare. She likes classic and contemporary music and is particularly interested in jazz. She regularly attends conferences and seminars on psychology and social development, topics she also enjoys reading about most. ^[3]

Honours and awards

National honours

• Luxembourg:
  • Grand Cross of the Order of Adolphe of Nassau (2012). ^[2]

Foreign honours

• Knight of the Order of Lafayette (21 September 2019). ^{[29] [30]}
• Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Order of the Drum (23 October 2019). ^[31]

Awards

Honorary degrees

• Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts (DFA) from the Paris College of Art (16 May 2019). ^[32]

Others

• Luxembourg Leadership Academy's Leader of the Year Award (9 September 2019). ^[33]

• 2024 Sino-Phil Asia International Peace Award (16 February 2024). ^[34]

References

1. "Luxembourg princess defended by judge after 'fairytale' marriage to royal collapse". The Independent . 5 December 2018. Retrieved 23 June 2020. Prince Louis is the third son of Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg, while Princess Tessy is a former soldier who now lives in London.
2. "La Princesse Tessy". Cour Grand-Ducale de Luxembourg. Archived from the original on 28 June 2017.
3. "Biography of Her Royal Highness Princess Tessy of Luxembourg" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 November 2014.
4. "Biography". Tessy de Nassau. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
5. Luxembourg, Princess Tessy of (October 2016). "Princess Tessy of Luxembourg on serving in a warzone and being a victim of attempted abuse". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 14 April 2017. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
6. "BIOGRAPHY OF HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS TESSY OF LUXEMBOURG". Luxury Law Summit Advisory Board. Archived from the original on 28 December 2017. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
7. "Tessy De Luxembourg LinkedIn Profile" . Retrieved 16 August 2023.
8. "Degrees in Natural, Holistic & Integrative Medicine". Quantum University. 27 December 2015. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
9. About - website of Quantum University
10. "Founders and Team – Professors Without Borders". Archived from the original on 31 October 2019. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
11. "Finding Butterflies Ltd | The Global Consultancy". findingbutterflies.com. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
12. "Prince Louis and Princess Tessy are getting a divorce". Luxemburger Wort. 18 January 2017. Archived from the original on 7 September 2017. Retrieved 17 July 2017. From March until August 2004, she volunteered to join the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Kosovo as the only woman. During this time, she met Prince Louis who was also member of the army.
13. "A baby boy for Prince Louis". d'Wort. Archived from the original on 30 April 2006. Retrieved 12 March 2006.
14. "Gabriel". Clinic des Grangettes. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 14 March 2006.
15. "Royal weddings in history". Vogue. 3 May 2018.
16. "Viele Schaulustige bei Hochzeit des Prinzen". d'Wort. Archived from the original on 2 May 2007. Retrieved 29 September 2006.
17. "Nationalfeierdag: An der ganzer Stad gouf gefeiert". d'Wort. Archived from the original on 24 June 2009. Retrieved 23 June 2006.
18. "Tessy von Nassau wurde Prinzessin von Luxemburg" ^{[ permanent dead link ]} - Tageblatt.lu 24/06/2009
19. "Princess of Luxembourg branded 'gold digger' as she takes divorce to UK court". The Daily Telegraph . 14 October 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
20. Memorial: Journal Officiel du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg. 21 September 1995. Arrêté grand-ducal du 21 septembre 1995 concernant le nom de famille et les titres des Membres de la Famille grand-ducale. Luxembourg. (French).
21. "EXCLUSIVE: Prince Louis and Princess Tessy divorce official". Royal Central. 4 April 2019. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
22. Barger, Brittani (6 January 2021). "Tessy Antony de Nassau announces engagement". Royal Central. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
23. "Luxembourg's Tessy Antony de Nassau marries Frank Floessel in intimate wedding - details". HELLO!. 23 July 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
24. "Tessy Antony de Nassau expecting third child". Royal Central. 25 February 2021. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
25. "Happy Birthday to Princess Tessy". RTL.lu. Archived from the original on 29 October 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
26. "Shongolulu – Saving Wildlife Through Fashion". 19 September 2016. Retrieved 14 March 2017.
27. "Tessy De Luxembourg - Shongolulu Ambassador for Saving Wildlife" . Retrieved 14 March 2017.
28. "Our Story" . Retrieved 14 March 2017.
29. "Order of Lafayette" . Retrieved 16 August 2023.
30. "Surprise award: Ordre Lafayette awards Tessy Antony de Nassau with knighthood for international work and military service". today.rtl.lu. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
31. "Tessy Antony-de Nassau bestowed with Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Order of the Drum of Rwanda". Royal Central. 25 October 2019. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
32. "Honorary Doctorate: Tessy de Nassau awarded honorary doctorate from Paris College of Art". today.rtl.lu. 16 May 2019. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
33. "Former Princess Tessy of Luxembourg named Leader of the Year in Luxembourg". 11 September 2019. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
34. "Tessy Antony de Nassau receives International Peace Award".

External links

• "Princess Tessy of Luxembourg, UNAIDS Global Advocate for Young Women and Adolescent Girls - UNAIDS" . Retrieved 14 March 2017.
• "Motherhood by Tessy de Luxembourg – KensingtonMums" . Retrieved 14 March 2017.