Birthday celebrations at the Grand Ducal residence on Friday as Grand Duchess Maria Teresa turns 63.

Born 22 March 1956 in Havana, Cuba, the Grand Duchess studied politics in Switzerland, where she met her future spouse Grand Duke Henri. The couple married in 1981 and have 5 children.

Maria Teresa is actively involved in many humanitarian and social organisations, in particular violence against women in war zones. To this end, the international conference "Stand Speak Rise Up" will take place at the end of March, following her initiative. The Grand Duchess also campaigns against poverty and social exclusion.