Liechtenstein FAQs

Who is the present ruler of Liechtenstein?
Prince Hans-Adam II is the present ruler. He succeeded his father Prince Franz Josef II upon his death on November 13, 1989.

What is Prince Hans-Adam’s address?

The Private Secretary to HSH The Prince
Schloss Vaduz
FL-9490 Vaduz
Liechtenstein

What are the current laws of succession?

Liechtenstein’s line of succession to the throne is based upon agnatic primogeniture where only males have rights based upon order of birth.

What is the name of the Princely Family’s dynasty?

The Princely Family is of the House of Liechtenstein. The name originated from Castle Liechtenstein located near Maria Enzersdorf south of Vienna, Austria which was owned by the family from at least 1140 until the 13th century and again from 1807 onwards.

How long has there been a principality in Liechtenstein?
Karl I, the first Reigning Prince of Liechtenstein, received a reward of becoming a hereditary sovereign prince because he supported the right side in a land dispute between Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II and his son Archduke Matthias in 1608.

How does one address the Princely Family?

Since Liechtenstein is a principality, the reigning prince, his wife, and his children are addressed as His/Her Serene Highness Prince/Princess XXX.

Can a member of the Princely Family marry whoever s/he chooses?
Members of the Princely Family must have the consent of the reigning prince to marry.

What does the Liechtenstein flag mean?
The flag of Liechtenstein consists of two equal horizontal bands of blue and red with a gold ducal crown on the left side of the blue band. Most likely, the colors were derived from the livery colors of the royal household in the 18th century. The crown was added in 1937 after it was discovered that the Liechtenstein flag was identical to the Haiti flag at the 1936 Olympics.

What is the Princely Family’s coat of arms?
Information about the Liechtenstein Royal Coat of Arms can be found at Coat of Arms of Liechtenstein.

Have any members of the Liechtenstein Princely Family married into other European monarchies?

In the past, many members of the Princely Family married into the families of the various German duchies and principalities. Prince Nikolaus of Liechtenstein, son of Prince Franz Josef II and brother of the current reigning prince, married Princess Margaretha of Luxembourg, the daughter of Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg in 1982.

How is Prince Hans-Adam related to other current European monarchs?

Belgium: King Philippe and Prince Hans-Adam II are third cousins once removed. They are both descendants of King Miguel I of Portugal.

Denmark: Queen Margrethe and Prince Hans-Adam II are fourth cousins twice removed. They are both descendants of King Maximilian I Josef of Bavaria.

Luxembourg: Grand Duke Henri and Prince Hans-Adam II are third cousins. They are both descendants of King Miguel I of Portugal.

Monaco: Prince Albert II and Prince Hans Adam II are fifth cousins once removed. They are both descendants of Karl Ludwig, Margrave of Baden.

Netherlands: King Willem-Alexander and Prince Hans-Adam II are fifth cousins, once removed. They are both descendants of Prince Karl Ludwig of Hohenlohe-Langenburg

Norway: King Harald and Prince Hans-Adam II fourth cousins once removed. They are both descendants of King Maximilian I Josef of Bavaria.

Spain: King Felipe VI and Prince Hans-Adam are fifth cousins, once removed. They are both descendants of the King Carlos IV of Spain.

Sweden: King Carl XVI Gustaf and Prince Hans Adam II are fifth cousins. They are descendants of Prince Karl Ludwig of Hohenlohe-Langenburg.

United Kingdom: Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Hans Adam II are eighth cousins. They are both descendants of Ludwig, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel.