Who’s who in the Liechtenstein princely family?

The princely family of Liechtenstein is perhaps one of the least-known royal families in Europe. It is also the only European royal family to bar women from the line of succession completely.

Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein

Photo: Government Information and Communication, Vaduz (centre)

Hans-Adam was born on 14 February 1945 to Franz Joseph II, Prince of Liechtenstein and Countess Georgina von Wilczek. He married Countess Marie Kinsky of Wchinitz and Tettau in 1967, and they had four children together. He succeeded his father as Prince of Liechtenstein in 1989. He made his eldest son regent in 2004, but he legally remains the head of state. He was widowed in 2021.

Alois, Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein

Photo: Government Information and Communication, Vaduz (Second from the left)

Prince Alois was born on 11 June 1968 to Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein, and Countess Marie Kinsky von Wchinitz und Tettau. He is first in the line of succession and the current regent of Liechtenstein. He married Duchess Sophie in Bavaria, and they had four children together.

Sophie, Hereditary Princess of Liechtenstein

Photo: Government Information and Communication, Vaduz (centre)

Sophie was born on 28 October 1967 to Prince Max, Duke in Bavaria and Countess Elisabeth Douglas. She is a great-great-granddaughter of the last King of Bavaria, Ludwig III. In addition to one day becoming the Princess of Liechtenstein, she is in line to become the Jacobite claimant to England, Scotland, and Ireland, which is the Catholic claim. She married Alois, Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein in 1993.

Prince Joseph Wenzel

Information und Kommunikation der Regierung, Vaduz

Prince Joseph Wenzel was born on 24 May 1995 in London as the eldest son of Alois, Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein and Duchess Sophie in Bavaria. He is second in the line of succession and will eventually succeed his father. He was educated in the United Kingdom.

Princess Marie Caroline

Princess Marie Caroline was born on 17 October 1996 in Switzerland as the second child of Alois, Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein and Duchess Sophie in Bavaria. As a woman, she is not in the line of succession. She graduated from Parsons Paris School of Art and Design in 2020.

Prince Georg

Prince George was born on 20 April 1999 in Switzerland as the second son of Alois, Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein and Duchess Sophie in Bavaria. He was educated in the United Kingdom and Switzerland and currently works in Berlin. He is third in the line of succession.

Prince Nikolaus

Prince Nikolaus was born on 6 December 2000 in Switzerland as the fourth and final child of Alois, Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein and Duchess Sophie in Bavaria. He is fourth in the line of succession.