Princess Alexandra turns 20

HRH Princess Alexandra Josésphine Teresa Charlotte Marie Wilhelmine of Luxembourg turned 20 today. She is the only daughter of THR Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, who recently celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary, and is the second youngest of the couple's five children. Princess Alexandra is the godmother of her brother's only son, Prince Gabriel de Nassau. The Grand Ducal family released a number of photos to commemorate their only daughter's birthday, which can be found on their official website.

Princess Alexandra is currently studying history, psychology, and sociology at Franciscan University in the United States. She enjoys dancing, playing tennis, skiing, water skiing and swimming. She speaks fluent French, English and Luxembourgish, and is currently learning Spanish. The Princess is following in her uncle's footsteps by attending college in the United States. Prince Guillaume graduated from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., in 1987. Princess Alexandra is attending University in a small mid-western town in Ohio, where she is likely afforded some anonymity.

Franciscan University is a Catholic college located in Steubenville, Ohio. The University began about 60 years ago as a small facility serving local veterans of WWII, and is now "an educational institution recognized nationally and internationally for its programs, faculty, and graduates."

The University's mission is to help students "grow in mind, body, and spirit through the integration of faith and reason." Historically, Grand Dukes have been raised Protestant. However, when Grand Duke William IV married the Catholic Marie Anne of Portugal in 1893 it was agreed that any sons would be brought up as Protestants and any daughters as Roman Catholics. The marriage produced no sons. Consequently, the religion of the House of Nassau changed to Roman Catholic when daughters of William succeeded to the throne.