Hans-Adam II: Reigning Prince of Liechtenstein

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:43

A piece of land in the Alpine mountains, located between Switzerland and Austria, is almost the nominal possession of one of the oldest families in Europe. For the last twenty-eight years, Liechtenstein has been ruled by Hans-Adam II - a brilliant financier, an outstanding politician, a man of principle. It is about him that will be discussed.

The Origin of Hans-Adam II

The Ruling Prince of Liechtenstein was born on February 14, 1945 to Franz Joseph II and Countess Gina (Georgina, Gina) von Widczek (Wilzek). The prince's father ruled Liechtenstein for more than fifty years and was one of the few monarchs of the twentieth century who did not leave the territory of his country throughout the duration of his reign. The mother of Hans-Adam II belonged to the Czech princely-count family. Later, four more children were born in the family: Prince Philipp, Prince Nikolaus of Liechtenstein, Princess Norbert and Franz Josef Wenzeslaus.

A Brief History of the House of Liechtenstein

Hans-Adam became the heir by birthright. The history of the House of Liechtenstein, to which it belongs, can be traced back to the twelfth century. At first, the clan was headed by not particularly principled individuals who changed their religion andpolitical views, depending on what was more profitable at one time or another.

At the beginning of the seventeenth century, one of the representatives of the house received the title of crown prince, but at first all privileges and high ranks existed only on paper. The Principality of Liechtenstein was proclaimed in 1719, it was located in the territories that one of the heirs of the title acquired.

For almost two centuries, the small principality simply had no idea how to properly dispose of its independence. A constitution was adopted, a constitutional monarchy was organized. At first, several rulers changed, and only Franz Joseph II, who enjoyed popular love, was able to gain a foothold on the throne.

Education and early career

The son of Franz Joseph II, Prince Hans-Adam II, first studied at a regular secondary school in Vaduz, then was transferred to the Schottengymnasium in Vienna. He completed a course of lectures in Zuose and entered a commercial university in Switzerland. Hans-Adam II was an intern at several London banks. He is fluent in English and French (except for German, which is native to the prince).

Empowerment

Already at the age of twenty-seven, Hans-Adam II, whose biography is described in our review, became the financial head of Liechtenstein. He quickly turned the scattered principality into a successful financial corporation. At the beginning of the twenty-first century, it was because of this that a real international scandal erupted.

The cause of the scandal was terrorist organizations that allegedly receive money through Liechtenstein, and criminal groups laundering funds through a small principality. Hans-Adam II immediately tried to put pressure on the government to initiate an investigation. The government, of course, refused. The refusal was explained by the fact that the expansion of the powers of the prince is a step back, a step towards absolute monarchy, which remained a relic of the past. Then the prince, who at the beginning of his reign was not allowed to rewrite the constitution in order to expand the powers of the monarch, decided on a scandal.

Prince of Liechtenstein Hans-Adam II then publicly stated that if the members of the government do not listen to him, he will move to a neighboring country. Naturally, he will move with his family and all financial capital. The total capital of the royal family is estimated at five billion dollars, and for such a small country, the exit from the economy of such a significant amount could possibly be the cause of political death. The long-awaited national referendum, which greatly expanded the powers of the prince, took place in 2003.

Transformations in politics

Hans Adam II (pictured) became the fifteenth reigning monarch of Liechtenstein on November 13, 1989, having received the right to sit on the throne from his father, Prince Franz Joseph II.

According to the constitution, the prince is the head of state. He represents the country in foreign policy (but the consent of the government is still required for the conclusion of international treaties) andhas the right to pardon, appoints the head and four members of the government. The signature of Hans-Adam II is necessary for the entry into force of the normative acts that were put forward by the deputies. Also, the prince conducts the opening and closing ceremonies of parliamentary sessions, delivering a solemn speech, has the right to dissolve parliament ahead of schedule.

Hans-Adam II equalized women with men in rights (the country was the last in Europe where the fair sex did not have the right to vote), spoke in favor of membership of the Principality in the UN (the country became a member of the UN in 1990). Hans repeatedly emphasized that even such small countries (like Liechtenstein) can and should actively participate in international relations, contributing to the preservation of peace and cooperation between countries.

Wife of Prince Liechtenstein

In 1967, the prince married Maria Aglaya, descended from the family of Count Kinsky and Countess von Ledeburg-Wicheln. She was born in Prague, but in 1945 Maria's family fled the country to Germany, and in 1957 the girl moved to the UK and then to Paris. Maria became the mother of four children of the prince.

Children of the princely family

The family of Prince Liechtenstein has three sons and a daughter. In 1993, the eldest son of Hans-Adam II, Alois, tied the knot with Sophia, Duchess of Bavaria, in 1995, a son, Prince Josef, was born to the crown couple. Since 2004, the ruling monarch of Liechtenstein has officially transferred some of the powers to his heir, Prince Aloid.