Liechtenstein Princely Family: History, Genealogy and Sovereign Princes

[CyrilVladisla]

Does Liechtenstein have a law that if the reigning Prince has only daughters, a daughter could succeed him?

 

[The Crown]

Does Liechtenstein have a law that if the reigning Prince has only daughters, a daughter could succeed him?

No, this is not possible. Only men can succeed him in Liechtenstein. This is the salic law.

 

[principessa]

Are there any ceremonies when a new Prince (Fürst) is inaugurated? And where takes this inaugurations place?

 

[Stefan]

Are there any ceremonies when a new Prince (Fürst) is inaugurated? And where takes this inaugurations place?

When Fürst Hans Adam succeded there was a ceremony where he and hereditary prince Alois took an oath at the National Day in 1990 (this was the first one after the death of his father in November 1989). But then the National Day bigger celebrated with a Field Mass on the meadow next to the Castle where nowaday the Act of State takes place.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

This is news to me! When did they ever have a semi-Salic succession? Was it was when they officially moved to Liechtenstein in 1938?

Semi-Salic succession was introduced in 1842. (I suppose it was repealed in 1993.) The article below describes some of the history of the Liechtenstein house laws.

https://verfassung.li/Art._3

The usage of semi-Salic succession was widespread in German house laws and constitutions during the 19th century. The house of Nassau, which now reigns over the grand duchy of Luxembourg, also stipulated semi-Salic succession in its house laws until 2012.

Were the house laws about marriage or membership and titles? If it was about membership and titles, that’s one thing. Can you kindly clarify which type of house law?

If you refer to the house law of 1993, which remains applicable today, you can read a full English translation of it here:

https://web.archive.org/web/2016030...li/en/fuerstenhaus/geschichte/hausgesetz.html

 

[SirGyamfi1]

Semi-Salic succession was introduced in 1842. (I suppose it was repealed in 1993.) The article below describes some of the history of the Liechtenstein house laws.

https://verfassung.li/Art._3

The usage of semi-Salic succession was widespread in German house laws and constitutions during the 19th century. The house of Nassau, which now reigns over the grand duchy of Luxembourg, also stipulated semi-Salic succession in its house laws until 2012.




If you refer to the house law of 1993, which remains applicable today, you can read a full English translation of it here:

https://web.archive.org/web/2016030...li/en/fuerstenhaus/geschichte/hausgesetz.html

Widespread in the German states and former Holy Roman Empire? You mean as in, in the event of no male heirs then female succession? These things happened in a few special cases like with the Sayn and Wittgenstein and others, but these things would typically require permission and wasn’t always guaranteed.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

Widespread in the German states and former Holy Roman Empire? You mean as in, in the event of no male heirs then female succession? These things happened in a few special cases like with the Sayn and Wittgenstein and others, but these things would typically require permission and wasn’t always guaranteed.

I'm not familiar with the succession arrangements of most of the numerous petty states of the Holy Roman Empire, but following its abolition, succession to German states tended to be governed by house laws, constitutions, and treaties. Many of them can be found on heraldica.org, whose FAQ also lists German states in which semi-Salic succession applied.

 

[SirGyamfi1]

I'm not familiar with the succession arrangements of most of the numerous petty states of the Holy Roman Empire, but following its abolition, succession to German states tended to be governed by house laws, constitutions, and treaties. Many of them can be found on heraldica.org, whose FAQ also lists German states in which semi-Salic succession applied.

I’m aware of the statutes that govern successions and yes there were semi-Salic successions notably in a branch of the Wettin dynasty. I just remembered

 

[Blog Real]

Are there wedding photos of Prince Franz Joseph II of Liechtenstein and Elisabeth von Gutmann?

 

[SirGyamfi1]

All I can say is that the family very big, in spite of some of the children who died young and those who died unmarried. Most of them live in Central Europe. Some descendants live in the U.K, USA.

 

[CyrilVladisla]

Painting of Prince Alois I of Liechtenstein by Peter Eduard Strohling
http://www.alamy.com/prince-alois-i-von-liechtenstein-image415063380.html

 

[Blog Real]

The "Treasure of Liechtenstein" museum shows, among other things, the ducal hat, also known as the "princely hood".
https://www.vaterland.li/liechtenst...schaetze-nicht-nur-von-dieser-welt-art-136181

https://www.landesmuseum.li/de/schatzkammer-dauerausstellung

The ducal hat of the princes of Liechtenstein is a 17th-century insignia. The original ducal hat consisted of gold, diamonds and pearls from the princely treasury of the House of Liechtenstein. After its temporary disappearance, the ducal hat is now again available in replica form.
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herzogshut_der_Fürsten_von_Liechtenstein

 

[Tatiana Maria]

Why did Prince Aloys Gonzaga Maria Adolf 1869-1955 renounced his succession rights in favor of his son 1923?

To save on taxes. The first three men in line to the headship of the house of Liechtenstein were 69, 54 and 53 years old respectively, and the princely house's fortune was already in poor condition as Czechoslovakian land reforms after World War One expropriated much of their property. By allowing the fortune to pass directly to 16-year-old Franz Joseph they could rescue themselves from needing to pay three sets of death taxes in quick succession.

As in most noble families, the headship of the house, the throne of the principality, and possession of the family wealth are normally held by the same person, so Aloys renounced all three.

Luxarazzi 101: Prince Alois of Liechtenstein & Archduchess Elisabeth of Austria

By 1923, the princely family had weathered a significant decrease in their Czechoslovakian holdings. What was more, the succession laws meant that the family faced a long series of inheritance taxes. Ruling Prince Johann II was 82, his brother and direct heir Franz was 69, and the next heir Franz de Paula (Alois' older brother) was 65. Alois was third in line and 53. The potential for four rapid deaths of heads of the family would have put the princely fortunes under further financial strain.

A radical solution was proposed that would eliminate most of these death duties. The status as head of the family and owner of the fortune would bypass Franz, Franz de Paula, and Alois, passing directly to Franz Josef upon Johann's death. While the elder Franz insisted on having his chance to rule, Franz de Paula and Alois also agreed to remove themselves from the line of succession. Alois officially renounced the princely throne on February 26, 1923.