LUXEMBOURG'S BEST OF TIMES

October 19, 2012

This is proving to be quite a month for the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the tiny country nestled in the midst of Belgium, Germany and France. First, on October 12, it is awarded, with the rest of the Europe Union, the Nobel Prize for Peace. Then, yesterday, it was elected to the United Nations Security Council for a two year term which will start in January 2013. And today, its heir to the throne, Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg married Belgian countess Stephanie de Lannoy in a civil ceremony which will be followed by a religious one tomorrow morning.

Luxembourg's area is made up of just over 2,500 square kilometres and its population, of around 513,000 enjoys, after Qatar's, the highest per capita GDP in the world. This weekend Luxembourg is being joined by more affluence and by grandees from all over the world. It will be a time for celebration. Then, with the start of its mandate in January, it will be a time for Luxembourg to turn its attention further afield and show its real worth.