HSH Prince Hans-Adam II (1945- ) and HSH Princess Marie (1940- )

[Mandy]

Prince Hans-Adam II On August 15th 2004 H.S.H. Prince Hans-Adam II entrusts his son H.S.H. Hereditary Prince Alois as his representative with the exercise of all sovereign rights pertaining to him, in accordance with the Liechtenstein Constitution.

Prince Hans Adam II was born on 14 February 1945 as the eldest son of Prince Hanz Joseph II of Liechtenstein and Princess Gina. The name Hans Adam forms an appropriate link between the past and present. Prince Hans-Adam I, who reigned from 1699 to 1712, was the founder of the Principality Liechtenstein, thanks to his purchases of the Lordship of Schellenberg (1699) and the County of Vaduz (1712).

Prince Hans-Adam II and his four brothers and sisters grew up with their parents at Vaduz Castle. He attended primary school in Vaduz and joined the Vaduz scout troop. Like his father before him, Prince Hans Adam II then entered the Schottengymnasium high school in Vienna in 1956.
In 1960 he transferred to the Gymnasium (high school) in Zuoz, where he graduated with both the Swiss and German high school diplomas in 1965. Afterwards, Prince Hans Adam II worked as a trainee at a bank in London. In addition to his native tongue, German, the Prince speaks English and French.
In the autumn of 1965, Prince Hans Adam II began his business and economics studies at the University of St. Gallen. He completed his studies in 1969 with a Licentiate.

On 30 July 1967, Prince Hans Adam II married Countess Marie Kinsky of Wchinitz and Tettau (born 14 April 1940 in Prague). They have four children

• Hereditary Prince Alois, born 11 June 1968
• Prince Maximilian, born 16 May 1969
• Prince Constantin, born 15 March 1972
• Princess Tatjana, born 10 April 1973

In 1970, Reigning Prince Franz Josef II entrusted his son with the reorganization of the administration of the assets of the Princely House. In the course of the reorganization, the private assets of the Reigning Prince were consolidated in the Princely Funds.

In 1984, the 45th year of his reign, Prince Franz Josef II appointed Prince Hans Adam II as his permanent representative and conferred upon him the mandate to administer the business of the State, in accordance with article 13 of the Constitution. On 13 November 1989, upon the death of his father Prince Franz Josef II, Prince Hans Adam II assumed the regency. Already during his time as the Reigning Prince's representative, Prince Hans Adam II was particularly engaged on behalf of an independent Liechtenstein foreign policy. Under his leadership, Liechtenstein succeeded in joining the UN in 1990 and the EEA in 1995.
© Government Spokesperson’s Office • 9490 Vaduz • office@liechtenstein.li

1. Prince Hans-Adam II
2. Prince Hans-Adam II and Princess Marie
3. Coat of arms

[Mandy]

Princess Marie was born on 14 April 1940 in Prague as Countess Kinsky of Wchinitz and Tettau, the fourth of seven children of Count Ferdinand Carl Kinsky of Wchinitz and Tettau and Countess Henriette, born Countess of Ledebur-Wicheln. The family was expelled in 1945 like many others from the former Czechoslovakia and fled to Germany.

After the family's escape from Czechoslovakia, Princess Marie attended primary school in Ering am Inn from 1946 to 1950. She then went to the boarding school of the Lioba Sisters in the Wald Cloister in Württemberg for eight years, graduating from the Realgymnasium (high school).
In 1957, she spent an extended period of time in England in order to study the English language. For six semesters, she attended the Academy of Applied Arts, from where she graduated with a diploma.
After a short stay in Paris to improve her knowledge of French, she worked as a commercial artist for a printer in Dachau until her engagement in 1965.

The interests of the Princess focus mostly on the social institutions of the country.
She is President of the Liechtenstein Red Cross and President of the Society for Therapeutic-Pedagogical Aid.
She is also interested in arts and culture and is engaged in matters relating to education and upbringing.
Through their participation in all sorts of public events, the Prince and the Princess demonstrate their deep bond with Liechtenstein and their interest in the political, economic, cultural and sporting development of the Principality.
© Government Spokesperson’s Office • 9490 Vaduz • office@liechtenstein.li

[HRH Kerry]

Johnson & Johnson Heir to Sell $5 Million `Madonna' in London

...The buyer was Prince Hans-Adam II of Liechtenstein, who founded Vienna's Liechtenstein Museum...

Bloomberg.com: Muse

[BurberryBrit]

Originally Posted by HRH Kerry

Johnson & Johnson Heir to Sell $5 Million `Madonna' in London

...The buyer was Prince Hans-Adam II of Liechtenstein, who founded Vienna's Liechtenstein Museum...

Bloomberg.com: Muse

I think the article is referring to a piece of furniture he bought in 2004 and not this painting.

[HRH Kerry]

I know. I absolutely loved the way we're misled by journalistic leads. The purchase happened a couple of years back but refers to how the J&J heiress is still selling off priceless works of art. I'm glad I ran across the article since I had no idea that the family owned any such piece especially for 19 million pounds!

[HRH Kerry]

I would think so but am only speculating. However, I did find a pic of the "Badmition Cabinet".

http://www.liechtensteinmuseum.at/en...22004204020813

[Warren]

Thanks Kerry, that's one of the best images available of the Cabinet.
The downside is that it doesn't give any sense of scale. The Badminton Cabinet is huge, as in 'gi-normous' - see here.

[HRH Kerry]

Warren,
OMG!!! The article said that Mrs. Johnson had moved to a new home and no longer had room for the cabinet. I can truly believe that!

[HRH Kerry]

Speaking of art and the Liechtenstein Museum...

Spanish portrait bought by Prince of Liechtenstein detained in UK


The Art Newspaper can reveal that a Spanish painting which the London National Gallery wants to buy is being retained in the UK, since it is part of a “package deal” which is under investigation by H.M. Revenue & Customs (HMRC). The work is the 1577 Portrait of Don Diego, by Alonso Sanchez Coello...

Spanish portrait bought by Prince of Liechtenstein detained in UK - The Art Newspaper


Something about this deal stinks! I think its a ploy to get the painting from the fürst. JMO.

[HRH Kerry]

The Princely Family makes the news in the art world...again.

PRIVATE COLLECTION OF THE PRINCES OF LIECHTENSTEIN TO BE SOLD AT CHRISTIE'S AMSTERDAM APRIL 2008

PRIVATE COLLECTION OF THE PRINCES OF LIECHTENSTEIN TO BE SOLD AT CHRISTIE'S AMSTERDAM APRIL 2008

[Empress]

Originally Posted by HRH Kerry

The Princely Family makes the news in the art world...again.

PRIVATE COLLECTION OF THE PRINCES OF LIECHTENSTEIN TO BE SOLD AT CHRISTIE'S AMSTERDAM APRIL 2008

PRIVATE COLLECTION OF THE PRINCES OF LIECHTENSTEIN TO BE SOLD AT CHRISTIE'S AMSTERDAM APRIL 2008

Why are they selling their art? And I am assuming that they are not selling all of it?

If I remember correctly, they are tremendously wealthy, so I can't imagine that they are in need of funds.

[Alisa]

They have too much art. The family has been collecting art for over 400 years. As the article mentions some pieces just haven't been placed so they are selling them.
Perhaps they will use the funds to buy even more valuable pieces either for their own personal collection or to display at the Liechtenstein Museum in Vienna or the Kunstmseum in Vaduz.

[HRH Kerry]

...Visions and strategies for the Liechtenstein financial center, the integration of foreign inhabitants in Liechtenstein society, and the disentanglement of Church and State are some of the most important topics raised by Reigning Prince Hans-Adam II and Hereditary Prince Alois, Prime Minister Otmar Hasler, and Deputy Prime Minister Klaus Tschütscher in their perspectives for the New Year. Other topics include combating unemployment, realizing equal opportunity, family policy, and changes in education policy...

Liechtenstein, Offshore, Perspectives For 2008 - Government of Liechtenstein - 31/01/2008, Offshore Centres

[Alisa]

A few small photos from the opening of the new Parliament building in Liechtenstein back on Feb. 18.

Guest included Prince Hans-Adam, Princess Marie, and Hereditary Prince Alois.

Seite 20

Seite 21

source: Exclusiv magazine.

[HRH Kerry]

I seriously doubt that its about funds. The article stated that the family has been collecting for over 400 years. Wow!!! I imagine that it's time to "clean house" and possibly collect other works. Besides, they have so much that they've never been able to properly use it all.

Hmmm. Imagine that!

[BurberryBrit]

Here's a link to the actual artwork for anyone wealthy enough to bid :) :
LotFinder

[HRH Kerry]

Thanks for the link, BB. There are 462 items to be auctioned off with their estimated bid range. Most, if not all, might go higher than expected. Highly coveted items? I think worldwide, museums and private collectors are going to have a field day!

[HRH Kerry]

Here's an article from last year that gives us a little more insight into the family's history with art. Hans Adam also speaks of the family's museums. Thought I would post the article here since we've been on the subject of art.


Why I have become a great collector

Europe's greatest museum buyer explains the strategy behind his acquisitions

LONDON. In June we revealed that Liechtenstein, Europe's smallest country, is now its biggest museum buyer. Although figures are not publicly available, we reported that the head of state, His Serene Highness Prince Hans-Adam II...

Why I have become a great collector - The Art Newspaper

[lucien]

Oops,accidently had it posted in the "current event " thread.

Amsterdam,tuesday april 1st.

Liechtenstein - Christie's

[lucien]

PPE Agency

Courtesy PPE/Nieboer.

At this moment,at 19.30PM local time the auction is still well underway and there are 130 lots left.It is such a huge success,untill now the turnover is estimated at 4,6 million euro,over 2 million more then expected of the total.