Princely Family of Liechtenstein
Encyclopedia
The Liechtenstein dynasty
, from which the principality
takes its name, is the family which reign
s by constitutional, hereditary right over the nation of Liechtenstein
. Only dynastic members of the House of Liechtenstein are eligible to inherit the throne, and the dynasty's membership, rights and responsibilities are defined by a law of the family, which is enforced by the reigning Prince and may be altered by vote among the family's dynasts, but which may not be altered by the Government
or Parliament of Liechtenstein.
The family comes from Castle Liechtenstein
in Lower Austria
, which the family possessed from at least 1140 to the 13th century, and from 1807 onwards. Through the centuries, the dynasty acquired vast swathes of land, predominantly in Moravia
, Lower Austria
, Silesia
and Styria, though in all cases, these territories were held in fief under other more senior feudal lords, particularly under various lines of the Habsburg
family, to whom several Liechtenstein princes served as close advisors. Thus, and without any territory held directly under the Imperial throne, the Liechtenstein dynasty was unable to meet a primary requirement to qualify for a seat in the Imperial Diet (Reichstag)
The family yearned greatly for the added power which a seat in the Imperial government would garner, and therefore searched for lands to acquire which would be immediate, or held without any feudal personage other than the Holy Roman Emperor
himself having rights on the land. Eventually the head of the family was able to arrange the purchase from the Hohenems
family of the minuscule Lordship of Schellenberg
and county of Vaduz
, in 1699 and 1712 respectively. Schellenberg and Vaduz possessed exactly the political status required, with no feudal lord other than their comital
sovereign and the suzerain
Emperor.
On 23 January 1719, after the purchase had been duly made, Charles VI
as Holy Roman Emperor
decreed Vaduz and Schellenberg to be united and raised to the dignity of a Principality by the name of "Liechtenstein", in honour of "[his] true servant, Anton Florian of Liechtenstein". It is on this date that Liechtenstein became a member state of the Holy Roman Empire. Ironically, but as a testament to the pure political expediency of the purchases, the Princes of Liechtenstein did not set foot in their new principality for several decades.
According to the Constitution of the Princely House of Liechtenstein
of 26 October 1993, all members other than the reigning prince shall bear the titles Prince or Princess of Liechtenstein and Count or Countess of Rietberg
.
Dynasty
A dynasty is a sequence of rulers considered members of the same family. Historians traditionally consider many sovereign states' history within a framework of successive dynasties, e.g., China, Ancient Egypt and the Persian Empire...
, from which the principality
Principality
A principality is a monarchical feudatory or sovereign state, ruled or reigned over by a monarch with the title of prince or princess, or by a monarch with another title within the generic use of the term prince....
takes its name, is the family which reign
Reign
A reign is the term used to describe the period of a person's or dynasty's occupation of the office of monarch of a nation or of a people . In most hereditary monarchies and some elective monarchies A reign is the term used to describe the period of a person's or dynasty's occupation of the office...
s by constitutional, hereditary right over the nation of Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein
The Principality of Liechtenstein is a doubly landlocked alpine country in Central Europe, bordered by Switzerland to the west and south and by Austria to the east. Its area is just over , and it has an estimated population of 35,000. Its capital is Vaduz. The biggest town is Schaan...
. Only dynastic members of the House of Liechtenstein are eligible to inherit the throne, and the dynasty's membership, rights and responsibilities are defined by a law of the family, which is enforced by the reigning Prince and may be altered by vote among the family's dynasts, but which may not be altered by the Government
Politics of Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein is a principality governed under a constitutional monarchy. It has a form of mixed constitution in which political power is shared by the monarch and a democratically elected parliament. There is a multi-party system and a form of representative democracy in which the prime minister...
or Parliament of Liechtenstein.
History
Liechtenstein Castle
Liechtenstein Castle is a castle located near Maria Enzersdorf in Lower Austria bordering Vienna. It is located on the edge of the Wienerwald...
in Lower Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
, which the family possessed from at least 1140 to the 13th century, and from 1807 onwards. Through the centuries, the dynasty acquired vast swathes of land, predominantly in Moravia
Moravia
Moravia is a historical region in Central Europe in the east of the Czech Republic, and one of the former Czech lands, together with Bohemia and Silesia. It takes its name from the Morava River which rises in the northwest of the region...
, Lower Austria
Lower Austria
Lower Austria is the northeasternmost state of the nine states in Austria. The capital of Lower Austria since 1986 is Sankt Pölten, the most recently designated capital town in Austria. The capital of Lower Austria had formerly been Vienna, even though Vienna is not officially part of Lower Austria...
, Silesia
Silesia
Silesia is a historical region of Central Europe located mostly in Poland, with smaller parts also in the Czech Republic, and Germany.Silesia is rich in mineral and natural resources, and includes several important industrial areas. Silesia's largest city and historical capital is Wrocław...
and Styria, though in all cases, these territories were held in fief under other more senior feudal lords, particularly under various lines of the Habsburg
Habsburg
The House of Habsburg , also found as Hapsburg, and also known as House of Austria is one of the most important royal houses of Europe and is best known for being an origin of all of the formally elected Holy Roman Emperors between 1438 and 1740, as well as rulers of the Austrian Empire and...
family, to whom several Liechtenstein princes served as close advisors. Thus, and without any territory held directly under the Imperial throne, the Liechtenstein dynasty was unable to meet a primary requirement to qualify for a seat in the Imperial Diet (Reichstag)
The family yearned greatly for the added power which a seat in the Imperial government would garner, and therefore searched for lands to acquire which would be immediate, or held without any feudal personage other than the Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Emperor
The Holy Roman Emperor is a term used by historians to denote a medieval ruler who, as German King, had also received the title of "Emperor of the Romans" from the Pope...
himself having rights on the land. Eventually the head of the family was able to arrange the purchase from the Hohenems
Hohenems
Hohenems is a town in the westernmost Austrian state of Vorarlberg, in the Dornbirn district. It lies in the middle of the Austrian part of the Rhine valley. With a population of 15,200 it is the fifth largest municipality in Vorarlberg...
family of the minuscule Lordship of Schellenberg
Schellenberg
Schellenberg is a municipality in the lowland area of Liechtenstein, on the banks of the Rhine. , it has a population of 952 and covers an area of .-Early history:...
and county of Vaduz
Vaduz
Vaduz is the capital of the principality of Liechtenstein and the seat of the national parliament. The town, located along the Rhine, has about 5,100 inhabitants , most of whom are Roman Catholic. Its cathedral is the seat of a Roman Catholic archbishop....
, in 1699 and 1712 respectively. Schellenberg and Vaduz possessed exactly the political status required, with no feudal lord other than their comital
Count
A count or countess is an aristocratic nobleman in European countries. The word count came into English from the French comte, itself from Latin comes—in its accusative comitem—meaning "companion", and later "companion of the emperor, delegate of the emperor". The adjective form of the word is...
sovereign and the suzerain
Suzerainty
Suzerainty occurs where a region or people is a tributary to a more powerful entity which controls its foreign affairs while allowing the tributary vassal state some limited domestic autonomy. The dominant entity in the suzerainty relationship, or the more powerful entity itself, is called a...
Emperor.
On 23 January 1719, after the purchase had been duly made, Charles VI
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Charles VI was the penultimate Habsburg sovereign of the Habsburg Empire. He succeeded his elder brother, Joseph I, as Holy Roman Emperor, King of Bohemia , Hungary and Croatia , Archduke of Austria, etc., in 1711...
as Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Emperor
The Holy Roman Emperor is a term used by historians to denote a medieval ruler who, as German King, had also received the title of "Emperor of the Romans" from the Pope...
decreed Vaduz and Schellenberg to be united and raised to the dignity of a Principality by the name of "Liechtenstein", in honour of "[his] true servant, Anton Florian of Liechtenstein". It is on this date that Liechtenstein became a member state of the Holy Roman Empire. Ironically, but as a testament to the pure political expediency of the purchases, the Princes of Liechtenstein did not set foot in their new principality for several decades.
According to the Constitution of the Princely House of Liechtenstein
Constitution of the Princely House of Liechtenstein
The Constitution of the Princely House of Liechtenstein of 26 October 1993 is the basic document that governs the Princely House of Liechtenstein. It was signed by the reigning prince Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein and Markus Büchel Head of Government of Liechtenstein...
of 26 October 1993, all members other than the reigning prince shall bear the titles Prince or Princess of Liechtenstein and Count or Countess of Rietberg
Rietberg
Rietberg is a town in the district of Gütersloh in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located approx. 10 km south of Gütersloh and 25 km north-west of Paderborn in the region Ostwestfalen-Lippe. The town is located at the river Ems. There are 28,878 people living in...
.
Current princely family (closest members only)
- Hans-Adam II, Prince of LiechtensteinHans-Adam II, Prince of LiechtensteinHans-Adam II , is the reigning Prince of Liechtenstein. He is the son of Franz Joseph II, Prince of Liechtenstein and his wife Countess Georgina von Wilczek . He also bears the titles Duke of Troppau and Jägerndorf, Count of Rietberg...
(born 14 February 1945), eldest son; married 30 July 1967, Marie Aglaë, Countess Kinsky of Wchinitz and TettauMarie, Princess of LiechtensteinMarie Aglaë, Princess of Liechtenstein is the wife and cousin of Prince Hans Adam II of Liechtenstein...
. They have four children:- Alois Philipp Maria, Hereditary Prince of LiechtensteinAlois, Hereditary Prince of LiechtensteinAlois Philipp Maria, Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein, Count of Rietberg is the eldest son of Hans Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein and Countess Marie Aglaë Kinsky of Wchinitz and Tettau. Alois has been Regent of Liechtenstein since 15 August 2004...
(born 11 June 1968), married 3 July 1993, Duchess Sophie in BavariaSophie, Hereditary Princess of LiechtensteinSophie, Hereditary Princess of Liechtenstein , is the wife of Alois, Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein, Regent of Liechtenstein and heir apparent to the Liechtensteiner throne.-Early life and education:...
(born 28 October 1967). They have four children:- Prince Joseph Wenzel Maximilian Maria of LiechtensteinPrince Joseph Wenzel of LiechtensteinPrince Joseph Wenzel of Liechtenstein, Count of Rietberg , styled His Serene Highness , is the eldest child of Prince Alois of Liechtenstein, the Regent and Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein, and his wife Princess Sophie of Bavaria, Duchess in Bavaria...
(born 24 May 1995 in London) - Princess Marie-Caroline Elisabeth Immaculata of Liechtenstein (born 17 October 1996 in GrabsGrabsGrabs is a municipality in the Wahlkreis of Werdenberg in the canton of St. Gallen in Switzerland.-History:Grabs is first mentioned in 841 as Quaravedes. In 979 it was mentioned as Quadravedes, then in 1235 as Grabdis and in 1253 as Graps.-Geography:Grabs has an area, , of...
, Canton of St. Gallen) - Prince Georg Antonius Constantin Maria of Liechtenstein (born 20 April 1999 in Grabs)
- Prince Nikolaus Sebastian Alexander Maria of Liechtenstein (born 6 December 2000, in Grabs)
- Prince Joseph Wenzel Maximilian Maria of Liechtenstein
- Prince Maximilian Nikolaus Maria of LiechtensteinPrince Maximilian of LiechtensteinPrince Maximilian Nikolaus Maria of Liechtenstein is the second son of Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein and Marie, Princess of Liechtenstein.- Education :...
(born 16 May 1969 in St. GallenSt. GallenSt. Gallen is the capital of the canton of St. Gallen in Switzerland. It evolved from the hermitage of Saint Gall, founded in the 7th century. Today, it is a large urban agglomeration and represents the center of eastern Switzerland. The town mainly relies on the service sector for its economic...
), married 29 January 2000 at the church of Saint Vincent Ferrer in New York, Angela Gisela BrownPrincess Angela of LiechtensteinPrincess Angela of Liechtenstein is the wife of Prince Maximilian of Liechtenstein. Princess Angela and her son, Prince Alfons , are the highest ranked black members of a reigning European dynasty.-Early life:Princess Angela was born Angela Gisela Brown, the daughter of Javier Francisco Brown and...
(born 3 February 1958, Bocas del Toro, Panama) They have one child:- Prince Alfons Constantin Maria of Liechtenstein (born 18 May 2001, in London)
- Prince Constantin Ferdinand Maria of Liechtenstein (born 15 March 1972 in St. Gallen), married 5 June 1999, in Csicse, Countess Marie Gabriele Franciska Kálnoky de Köröspatak (born 16 July 1975 in Graz) They have three children:
- Prince Moritz Emanuel Maria of Liechtenstein (born 27 May 2003 in London)
- Princess Georgina Maximiliane Tatjana Maria of Liechtenstein (born 23 July 2005 in Vienna)
- Prince Benedikt Ferdinand Hubertus Maria of Liechtenstein, (born 18 May 2008 in Vienna)
- Princess Tatjana Nora Maria of Liechtenstein (born 10 April 1973 in St. Gallen), married 5 June 1999, at St. Florin's in VaduzVaduzVaduz is the capital of the principality of Liechtenstein and the seat of the national parliament. The town, located along the Rhine, has about 5,100 inhabitants , most of whom are Roman Catholic. Its cathedral is the seat of a Roman Catholic archbishop....
, Baron Philipp von Lattorff, son of Baron Claus-Jürgen von Lattorff and Countess Julia BatthyányBatthyányBatthyány is the name of an old distinguished Hungarian Magnate family. The members of this family bear the title count or countess respectively prince or princess Batthyány von Német-Ujvár...
de Német-Ujvár (born 25 March 1968 in Graz). They have six children:- Lukas Maria von Lattorff (born 13 May 2000 in WiesbadenWiesbadenWiesbaden is a city in southwest Germany and the capital of the federal state of Hesse. It has about 275,400 inhabitants, plus approximately 10,000 United States citizens...
) - Elisabeth Marie Angela Tatiana von Lattorff (born 25 January 2002 in Grabs)
- Marie Theresa von Lattorff (born 18 January 2004 in Grabs)
- Camilla Katharina Maria von Lattorff (born 14 November 2005 in MonzaMonzaMonza is a city and comune on the river Lambro, a tributary of the Po, in the Lombardy region of Italy some 15 km north-northeast of Milan. It is the capital of the Province of Monza and Brianza. It is best known for its Grand Prix motor racing circuit, the Autodromo Nazionale Monza.On June...
) - Anna Pia Theresia Maria von Lattorff (born 3 August 2007 in HausleitenHausleitenHausleiten is a town in the district of Korneuburg in Lower Austria in Austria. It is within the Weinviertel in Niederösterreich. Hausleiten takes up about 61.03 square kilometers, 14.26 percent of which are forest.-External links:*...
) - Sophia Katharina Maria von Lattorff (born 30 October 2009 in Hausleiten)
- Lukas Maria von Lattorff (born 13 May 2000 in Wiesbaden
- Alois Philipp Maria, Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein
- Prince Philipp Erasmus of Liechtenstein (born 19 August 1946 in ZürichZürichZurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is located in central Switzerland at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich...
), second son; married 11 September 1971, at Abbaye de Notre Dame de la Cambre in Brussels, Isabelle de l'Arbre de Malander (born 24 November 1947 in RonseRonseRonse is a Belgian city and a municipality in the Flemish province of East Flanders. The municipality only comprises the city of Ronse proper.- Early settlements to 14th century :...
) They have three children:- Prince Alexander of Liechtenstein (born 19 May 1972 in BaselBaselBasel or Basle In the national languages of Switzerland the city is also known as Bâle , Basilea and Basilea is Switzerland's third most populous city with about 166,000 inhabitants. Located where the Swiss, French and German borders meet, Basel also has suburbs in France and Germany...
); married 8–9 February 2003 Astrid Kohl (born 13 September 1968).- Princess Theodora Alexandra Isabella Antonia Nora Marie of Liechtenstein (born 20 November 2004).
- Prince Wenzeslaus of Liechtenstein (born 12 May 1974 in UccleUccleUccle or Ukkel is one of the nineteen municipalities located in the Brussels-Capital Region of Belgium.Uccle is known for its well-to-do areas, its green spots and its high rental rates.-History:...
, Belgium) - Prince Rudolf Ferdinand of Liechtenstein (born 7 September 1975 in Uccle, Belgium)
- Prince Alexander of Liechtenstein (born 19 May 1972 in Basel
- Prince Nikolaus Ferdinand Maria Josef Raphael of LiechtensteinPrince Nikolaus of LiechtensteinPrince Nikolaus Ferdinand Maria Josef Raphael of Liechtenstein , is the third son of Franz Joseph II, Prince of Liechtenstein and his wife Countess Gina von Wilczek. Prince Nikolaus was born in Zurich, and is the Ambassador of Liechtenstein in Belgium and non-resident Ambassador to the Holy See...
(born 24 October 1947 in ZürichZürichZurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is located in central Switzerland at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich...
), third son; married 20 March 1982, at Notre-Dame Cathedral, LuxembourgNotre-Dame Cathedral, LuxembourgNotre-Dame Cathedral is the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Luxembourg City, in southern Luxembourg. It was originally a Jesuit church, and its cornerstone was laid in 1613....
, Princess Margaretha of LuxembourgPrincess Margaretha of LiechtensteinPrincess Margaretha of Liechtenstein is the fourth child and second daughter of Grand Duke Jean and Grand Duchess Josephine-Charlotte of Luxembourg...
, (born 15 May 1957, Betzdorf Castle). They have four children:- Prince Leopold Emmanuel of Liechtenstein (born 20 May 1984, died 20 May 1984).
- Princess Maria-Annunciata Astrid Joséphine Veronica of Liechtenstein (born 12 May 1985 in Brussels)
- Princess Marie-Astrid Nora Margarita Veronica of Liechtenstein (born 26 June 1987 in Brussels)
- Prince Josef-Emanuel Leopold Marie of Liechtenstein (born 7 May 1989 in Brussels)
- Princess Norberta (Nora) Elisabeth Maria Assunta Josefine Georgine et omnes sancti of LiechtensteinPrincess Nora of LiechtensteinPrincess Norberta "Nora" of Liechtenstein, Countess of Rietberg, Dowager Marchioness of Mariño , is the daughter of Franz Joseph II, Prince of Liechtenstein and his wife Countess Gina of Wilczek , and thus younger sister of the current Prince of Liechtenstein, Hans-Adam II.-Education and...
(born 31 October 1950), only daughter; married 11 June 1988 Don Vicente Sartorius y Cabeza de VacaVicente Sartorius y Cabeza de VacaVicente Sartorius y Cabeza de Vaca, 4th Marquess de Mariño was a Spanish nobleman and Olympic bobsledder.-Bobsleigh career:In the 1950s, Sartorius had a professional bobsled career...
(30 November 1931 - 2002), Marquess de Mariño, and she has a daughter,- Maria Teresa Sartorius y de Liechtenstein (born 21 November 1992 in MadridMadridMadrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
).
- Maria Teresa Sartorius y de Liechtenstein (born 21 November 1992 in Madrid
See also
- List of Princes of Liechtenstein
- List of Princesses of Liechtenstein
- Line of succession to the Throne of Liechtenstein