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 (I suppose it was repealed in 1993.)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 (I suppose it was repealed in 1993.)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.

 

[Blog Real]

Prince Franz Josef II on his state visit to Berlin on March 2, 1939.

«Ein Signal ins Gefüge des NS-Apparates hinein, Land und Fürst in Ruhe zu lassen» (Abo)

Eine Studie untersucht die Rolle Liechtensteins im internationalen Staatensystem zwischen 1933 und 1945.

www.vaterland.li

Photo: https://c10.quickcachr.fotos.sapo.pt/i/G761754c1/22680030_r8lCD.jpeg

 

[Blog Real]

Karl I (30 July 1569 – 12 February 1627) was the first member of the Liechtenstein family to become a monarch of Liechtenstein; thus, he was the founder of the Princely Family of Liechtenstein.
More information: Karl I, Prince of Liechtenstein - Wikipedia

 

[Blog Real]

Anna Maria Šemberová of Boskovice and Černá Hora and Aussee (1575 – 6 June 1625) was a Moravian noblewoman who, through her marriage to Karl I, was the first Princess of Liechtenstein and Duchess of Troppau and Jägerndorf.
Baroness Anna Maria Šemberová of Boskovice and Černá Hora and Aussee was born in 1575 in Vienna to Baron Jan Šembera z Boskovic a Černohorský and Baroness Anna Krajířové z Krajku, who were both members of the Moravian nobility.
More information: Anna Maria Šemberová of Boskovice and Černá Hora - Wikipedia

 

[Blog Real]

Karl Eusebius (11 April 1611 – 5 April 1684) was the Prince of Liechtenstein. He inherited this title in 1627 from his father Karl I. He was 16 and thus considered underage, and his uncles Prince Gundakar and Maximillian acted as regents until 1632. From 1639 to 1641 Karl was Chief Captain of High and Low Silesia.
After the Thirty Years' War Karl effectively restored his dominions economically. Karl was also an extensive patron of architecture of the period.
More information: Karl Eusebius, Prince of Liechtenstein - Wikipedia

Princess Johanna Beatrix von Dietrichstein (1625 – 26 March 1676), was a German noblewoman, by birth a member of the princely House of Dietrichstein. On 6 August 1644 Johanna Beatrix married Karl Eusebius, Prince of Liechtenstein (11 April 1611 – 5 April 1684).
More information: Johanna Beatrix of Dietrichstein - Wikipedia

 

[Blog Real]

Hans-Adam I (Johann Adam Andreas; 16 August 1662 – 16 June 1712) was the son of Karl Eusebius, Prince of Liechtenstein and Princess Johanna Beatrix of Dietrichstein.

On 18 January 1699 he acquired the seigneury of Schellenberg, and on 22 February 1712 the county of Vaduz. These two domains would later form the present principality of Liechtenstein. He was also Duke of Troppau and Jägerndorf.
More information: Hans-Adam I, Prince of Liechtenstein - Wikipedia

Erdmuthe Maria Theresia of Dietrichstein (17 April 1662 – 16 March 1737), was an Austrian noblewoman, Princess of Liechtenstein by marriage to Hans-Adam I, Prince of Liechtenstein.
Born in Nikolsburg, she was the fifth child and second (but eldest surviving) daughter of Ferdinand Joseph, 3rd Prince of Dietrichstein, member of the princely House of Dietrichstein, and his wife, Princess Marie Elisabeth of Eggenberg (1640-1715), Duke of Krumau and Princely Count (gefürsteter Graf) of Gradis am Sontig.
More information: Erdmuthe Maria Theresia of Dietrichstein - Wikipedia

Josef Wenzel I (Josef Wenzel Lorenz; 9 August 1696 – 10 February 1772), often referred to as just Wenzel, was the Prince of Liechtenstein between 1712 and 1718, and 1748 and 1772, as well as regent of Liechtenstein between 1732 and 1745. He first succeeded his distant cousin Hans-Adam I, even though he was not next in line. The actual heir was his uncle Anton Florian, who was not very popular among the family. Therefore Hans-Adam chose Josef Wenzel as his heir. He later decided to hand over the Principality in exchange for his getting the Dominion of Rumburk in 1718. Thirty years later he inherited Liechtenstein again after his nephew Prince Johann Nepomuk Karl died without male issue.
More information: Joseph Wenzel I, Prince of Liechtenstein - Wikipedia

Anna Maria Antonie of Liechtenstein (11 September 1699 in Vienna – 20 January 1753 in Vienna), was a princess consort of Liechtenstein; married 19 April 1718 to her cousin prince Joseph Wenzel I, Prince of Liechtenstein.
More information: Anna Maria of Liechtenstein - Wikipedia

Joseph Johann Adam (25 May 1690 – 17 December 1732) was the Prince of Liechtenstein from 1721 to his death in 1732.
Born in Vienna, he was the only living son of Anton Florian, Prince of Liechtenstein and Eleonore Barbara von Thun und Hohenstein. Johann Josef Adam served under his father for a short time during the War of the Spanish Succession and later fought against the French under the Duke of Marlborough.
On 1 December 1712, Joseph married firstly his cousin Maria Gabriele, Princess of Liechtenstein (12 July 1692 – 7 November 1713).
On 3 February 1716, Joseph married secondly Marianne, Countess of Thun-Hohenstein (27 September 1698 – 23 February 1716), but his new bride died only 20 days after the wedding.
On 3 August 1716, in Vienna, Joseph married thirdly to Maria Anna Katharina, Countess of Oettingen-Spielberg (21 September 1693 – 15 April 1729).
On 22 August 1729, Joseph married fourthly to Maria Anna, Countess Kottulinsky von Kottulin (12 May 1707 – 6 February 1788).
More information: Joseph Johann Adam, Prince of Liechtenstein - Wikipedia

Johann Nepomuk Karl (Johann Nepomuk Karl Borromäus Josef Franz de Paula; 6 July 1724 – 22 December 1748) was the Prince of Liechtenstein between 1732 and 1748.
He was the son of Joseph Johann Adam, Prince of Liechtenstein and his second wife, Countess Maria Anna Katharina of Oettingen-Spielberg (1693-1729).
In Vienna on 19 March 1744 Johann Nepomuk Karl married his cousin Maria Josepha, Countess of Harrach-Rohrau (20 November 1727 – 15 February 1788), daughter of Count Friedrich August von Harrach-Rohrau and his wife, Princess Maria Eleonora of Liechtenstein (1793-1757).
More information: Johann Nepomuk Karl, Prince of Liechtenstein - Wikipedia

 

[Blog Real]

Anton Florian (28 May 1656 – 11 October 1721) was the Prince of Liechtenstein between 1718 and 1721.
Anton Florian was born in Wilfersdorf, in what is now Lower Austria. During the War of the Spanish Succession, he went to Spain, where he was the Chief Intendant and Prime Minister of the Archduke Karl, who became Emperor Charles VI after the sudden death of his brother in 1711. Florian returned to Vienna for Charles's coronation. He was the Obersthofmeister (Imperial Chief Intendant) and Chairman of the Secret Council until he died in 1721.
More information: Anton Florian, Prince of Liechtenstein - Wikipedia

Countess Eleonore Barbara Catharina von Thun und Hohenstein (4 May 1661 – 10 February 1723) was an Austrian noblewoman who, as the wife of Anton Florian, Prince of Liechtenstein, was the Princess of Liechtenstein from 1718 to 1721. She accompanied her husband on diplomatic missions to Rome and Barcelona.
She accompanied her husband on diplomatic missions to Rome and Barcelona. After her husband's death in 1721, she spent the remaining two years of her life in Vienna. Her husband was succeeded by their son, Prince Joseph Johann Adam. Eleonore's daughter, Princess Anna Maria, later became Princess consort of Liechtenstein as the wife of Joseph Wenzel I.
More information: Eleonore Barbara von Thun und Hohenstein - Wikipedia

Franz Joseph I, Prince of Liechtenstein, born Franz de Paula Josef Johann Nepomuk Andreas (19 November 1726 – 18 August 1781), was the Prince of Liechtenstein from 1772 until his death.
Born in Milan, in what is now northern Italy, he was the son of Prince Emanuel of Liechtenstein and Maria Anna Antonia, Countess of Dietrichstein-Weichselstädt, Baroness zu Hollenburg und Finkenstein (10 September 1706 – 7 June 1777). Franz Josef was the eldest of their thirteen children. He was a nephew of Joseph Wenzel I, whom he succeeded on 10 February 1772.
Franz Joseph had been recognised heir to Liechtenstein since 1723, when his uncle's only son had died.
Mote information: Franz Joseph I, Prince of Liechtenstein - Wikipedia

Leopoldine von Sternberg (Maria Leopoldine Walburga Eva; 11 December 1733, Vienna – 1 March 1809, Valtice) was a princess consort of Liechtenstein by marriage to Prince Franz Joseph I. She is noted to have belonged to the discussion circle of Eleonore of Liechtenstein, who acted as political advisers to Emperor Joseph II.
More information: Leopoldine von Sternberg - Wikipedia

 

[Blog Real]

Aloys I (Aloys Josef Johannes Nepomuk Melchior; 14 May 1759 – 24 March 1805) was the Prince of Liechtenstein from 18 August 1781 until his death in 1805.[1] He was born in Vienna, the third son of Franz Josef I, Prince of Liechtenstein.
During his reign, Liechtenstein carried out the last execution in its history when Barbara Erni was beheaded in Eschen for theft.
He was the 836th Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece in Austria.
Aloys married Karoline Gräfin von Manderscheid-Blankenheim in Feldsberg on 15 November/16 November 1783. The couple were childless. Following Aloys' death in Vienna, Liechtenstein went to his brother Johann I.
More information: Aloys I, Prince of Liechtenstein - Wikipedia

Karoline Felicitas Engelberte of Manderscheid-Blankenheim (13 November 1768 – 1 March 1831) was a princess consort of Liechtenstein; married on 16 November 1783 to Prince Aloys I of Liechtenstein.
Karoline was born on 13 November 1768 in Vienna. She was the daughter of Count Johann Wilhelm of Manderscheid-Blankenheim zu Geroldseck and Countess Johanna Maximiliana Franziska of Limburg-Stirum (daughter of Count Christian Otto of Limburg-Stirum). She had no children with her spouse.
More information: Karoline of Manderscheid-Blankenheim - Wikipedia

Karoline of Manderscheid-Blankenheim as Iris by Élisabeth Vigée-Lebrun (1793)

Johann I Joseph (Johann Baptist Josef Adam Johann Nepomuk Aloys Franz de Paula; 26 June 1760 – 20 April 1836) was Prince of Liechtenstein between 1805 and 1806 and again from 1814 until 1836. He was the last Liechtenstein prince to rule under the Holy Roman Empire between 1805 and 1806 and as regent of Liechtenstein from 1806 until 1814. He was the fourth son of Franz Joseph I, Prince of Liechtenstein.
As Prince of Liechtenstein, Johann made forward-thinking reforms, but also had an absolutist governing style. In 1818 he granted a constitution, although it was limited in its nature. He expanded agriculture and forestry and radically reorganized his administration, in an attempt to take the requirements of what was then a modern estate into account.
On 12 April 1792 in Vienna, he married Landgravine Josepha of Fürstenberg-Weitra (Vienna, 21 June 1776 – Vienna, 23 February 1848), Dame of the Imperial Court and Dame of the Order of the Starry Cross. They had 14 children.
More information: Johann I Joseph, Prince of Liechtenstein - Wikipedia

Landgravine Josepha of Fürstenberg-Weitra (21 June 1776 – 23 February 1848) was princess consort of Liechtenstein as wife of Johann I Joseph, Prince of Liechtenstein. By virtue of her birth, she was member of the House of Fürstenberg. Around 1801 Beethoven made a dedication to Josepha, his Sonata No. 13 in E-flat Major, op.27, no. 1.
Josepha was born at Vienna, Austria, the first daughter of Joachim Egon, Landgrave of Fürstenberg-Weitra (1749–1828) and his wife, Countess Sophia Maria of Oettingen-Wallerstein (1751–1835).
More information: Landgravine Josepha of Fürstenberg-Weitra - Wikipedia

Aloys II (Aloys Maria Josef Johann Baptista Joachim Philipp Nerius; 25/26 May 1796 – 12 November 1858) was the sovereign Prince of Liechtenstein from 20 April 1836 until his death in 1858.
He was a son of Johann I Joseph, Prince of Liechtenstein, and Landgravine Josepha of Fürstenberg-Weitra, and a nephew of Prince Aloys I. Aloys II married Countess Franziska Kinsky of Wchinitz and Tettau and had two sons and three daughters with her, with their two sons later ruling Liechtenstein as Johann II and Franz I. Aloys contributed actively to Liechtenstein's economic and political development.
More information: Aloys II, Prince of Liechtenstein - Wikipedia

Countess Franziska de Paula Kinsky von Wchinitz und Tettau (8 August 1813, Vienna – 5 February 1881, Vienna) was princess consort of Liechtenstein from 1836 to 1858 as the wife of Aloys II, Prince of Liechtenstein, and her son's regent from 1858 to 1860.
She was born as the younger daughter of Count Franz de Paula Joseph Kinsky von Wchinitz und Tettau (1784-1823) (younger brother of Ferdinand, Prince Kinsky) and his wife, Countess Therese Antonia Barbara von Würben und Freudenthal (1789-1874).
On 8 August 1831 she married Aloys II, Prince of Liechtenstein in Vienna. It was a double wedding as on the same day her elder sister Countess Maria Anna (1809-1892) married Prince Frederick Wilhelm of Solms-Braunfels (1801–1868), eldest surviving son of Prince Frederick William of Solms-Braunfels and Duchess Friederike of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.
Franziska acted as regent during the reign of her son, Johann II, from 10 February 1859 to November 1860.
More information: Countess Franziska Kinsky of Wchinitz and Tettau - Wikipedia