HSH Prince Hans-Adam II, the ruling Prince of Liechtenstein, has angered European Jews through comments he made during an interview published this past Monday in the Liechtensteiner Volksblatt.

The 64-year-old Prince stated that it was the tiny alpine nation’s banking secrecy laws which allowed “some Jews to buy their safety during the Holocaust by using money they had deposited in Liechtenstein or Switzerland.” He also claimed that the laws helped citizens of Europe’s former communist countries, and are still “saving the lives” of those currently living in Third-World countries run by “bloodthirsty dictators.”

The comments were escalated by the current feud between Liechtenstein and their northern neighbour, Germany. Germany has been pressuring the government of Liechtenstein to clamp down on their confidential banking laws that it claims allows wealthy Germans to avoid paying taxes. German authorities last year paid a former LGT Group employee (the Liechtenstein national bank owned by the Princely Family) to obtain the names of Germans who are believed to be tax cheats.

Hans-Adam also fired a shot at Germany themselves, stating: “Germany and many other countries have an unbelievable mess with their state finances…Germany should clean up its own act, and think about its past.”

The Prince’s comments were heavily criticised by the German Central Council of Jews; with their General Secretary Stephan Kramer telling Bild newspaper that “the comments are a mockery of the Holocaust and its survivors.” As Liechtenstein was a mainly neutral player in World War II, Kramer claims it is “historically incorrect” for the Prince’s portrayal of Liechtenstein as the “merciful helper of the Jews” to be voiced.

Kramer ended his interview by commenting on the Prince’s reigning status: “His Highness would be better off retiring.”

Information about the Liechtenstein Princely Family can be found in this forum.

JessRulz Liechtenstein Royals Finances, Germany, Hans-Adam II, Holocaust, LGT Group

Last Saturday, August 15th, the Princely Family of Liechtenstein came out in the country’s capital Vaduz to celebrate National Day. HSH Prince Hans-Adam II, the sovereign of the tiny principality, and his wife HSH Princess Marie Aglaë were at the head of the festivities.

Click to see the PPE gallery

The couple were joined by their eldest son, HSH Hereditary Prince Alois, and his family (wife HSH Hereditary Princess Sophie and three of their children Princess Marie-Caroline, Prince Georg and Prince Nikolaus); and their third son HSH Prince Constantin and his family (wife HSH Princess Marie and their children Prince Moritz, Princess Georgina and Prince Benedikt).

The first stop for the Princely Family was an open-air church service; before walking back to Vaduz Castle. Here, the citizens of Vaduz were welcomed by the family to snacks and refreshments, following a speech by the Hereditary Prince, who has been the Regent of Liechtenstein since 2004. This year’s National Day marked the 5th anniversary of Prince Alois becoming Regent for his father.

Prince Alois spoke of the need for Liechtenstein’s public spending to be lowered due to the current economic crisis, even though Liechtenstein was faring well when compared to other nations. The Prince also announced that Liechtenstein’s education system will be reformed.

Following their father’s speech, Princes Georg and Nikolaus tucked into some large pretzels, while their grandfather celebrated the day with a cold beer. All the children, as well as Hans-Adam and Marie Aglaë!, were all in high spirits and enjoyed the celebrations.

Click here to read the Liechtenstein National Day thread.

JessRulz Liechtenstein Royals Hans-Adam II, Hereditary Prince Alois, National Day, Princess Marie Aglaë