Mail to G.D. Charlotte’s Aide-de-Camp in Montreal during WWII

G.D. Charlotte in 1942

Addressed to Monsieur G. Konsbruck Lieutenant en 1er Aide-de-Camp de S.A.R. Madame La Grande-Duchesse de Luxembourg 1305 Pine Ave. Montreal, P.Q., Canada   Washington, D.C. 26 Jun 1941 Airmail rate:  6c/oz. x 5 = 30c Montreal, Canada 27 Jun 1941

If you like large covers, you’ll enjoy this 267x192 mm. giant, not only for its size, but also for its 13-stamp franking and postal history significance.

After the Nazi invasion of Luxembourg on May 10, 1940, the royal family fled to France, later to Portugal, and then to England.  And in November 1940, Grand Duchess Charlotte and Premier Pierre Dupong formed a government-in-exile in Montreal, Canada.  Foreign Minister Joseph Bech and Labor & Social Welfare Minister Peter Krier represented the government in London.  Hugues la Gallais served as Luxembourg’s Minister to Washington.  This cover is probably from him.   The corner card reads:

Legation du Grand-Duche de Luxembourg
 
Washington, D.C.

On the back is the legation’s cachet: