Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein

Hans-Adam II
Prince of Liechtenstein
Hans-Adam II von und zu Liechtenstein.jpg
Hans-Adam II
Reign 13 November 1989 – present
Born 14 February 1945 (1945-02-14) (age 64)
Birthplace Zürich, Switzerland
Predecessor Prince Franz Joseph II
Heir-Apparent Hereditary Prince Alois
Consort Princess Marie
Offspring Hereditary Prince Alois
Prince Maximilian
Prince Constantin
Princess Tatjana
Royal House House of Liechtenstein
Father Prince Franz Joseph II
Mother Countess Georgina von Wilczek

Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein (Johannes (Hans) Adam Ferdinand Alois Josef Maria Marko d'Aviano Pius von und zu Liechtenstein, styled HSH The Sovereign Prince of Liechtenstein; born 14 February 1945, Zurich), is the currently reigning 15th Prince of Liechtenstein and son of Franz Joseph II, Prince of Liechtenstein (1906-1989) and his wife Countess Georgina von Wilczek (1921-1989). He also bears the titles Duke of Troppau and Jägerndorf, Count of Rietberg. He descends directly in male line of only three of the previous fourteen Princes of Liechtenstein, and of another (and again from two of the above mentioned three) in female line.

Contents

Powers

The Prince of Liechtenstein has sweepingly broad powers; a referendum to adopt Hans-Adam's revision of the constitution to expand his powers passed in 2003.[1] The changes also included a republican option, whereby the Prince was henceforth formally barred from vetoing any bill to establish a republic. In addition, the right to secede for the parishes which make up the Principality was recognized. Prince Hans-Adam had threatened that he and his family would move to Austria if the referendum had failed. Despite opposition from Mario Frick, a former Prime Minister, the Prince's referendum motion was carried by the electorate. Actually, the personal influence of the Ruling Prince is increased by the republican option within the constitution, because, in this strongly pro-monarchy principality, he may more easily use the implied threat to resign as a means to pressure elected representatives and the electorate into accepting measures which he favours.

On 15 August 2004 Prince Hans-Adam II formally turned the power of making day-to-day governmental decisions over to his son Prince Alois, as a way of beginning a transition to a new generation. Formally, Hans-Adam remains Head of State.[2]

Personal wealth

Prince Hans-Adam owns LGT banking group and has a personal fortune of 5 billion dollars. He owns an extensive art collection, which is displayed for the public at the Liechtenstein Museum in Vienna, Austria. In December 2006, he was reported to be one of the world's richest heads of state.[3]

Personal life

Hans-Adam's mother tongue is German but he is also fluent in English, French and Italian.

On 30 July 1967, at Vaduz, Liechtenstein, he married his cousin Marie Aglaë, Countess Kinsky von Wchinitz und Tettau (born 1940) who in connection with the wedding, became Her Serene Highness The Hereditary Princess of Liechtenstein .

Their children are:

1969 he graduated from the prestigious University of St. Gallen with a degree in Business and Economic Studies.

The Prince is an honorary member of K.D.St.V. Nordgau Prag Stuttgart, a Catholic students' fraternity that is a member of the Cartellverband der katholischen deutschen Studentenverbindungen. Prince Hans Adam II chairs the Advisory Council of the Liechtenstein Institute on Self-determination at Princeton University, LISD. In his childhood he joined the Pfadfinder und Pfadfinderinnen Liechtensteins in Vaduz.[5] He is also a former member of the Vienese Scout Group "Wien 16-Schotten".[6] He is a member of the World Scout Foundation[7].

Today he and his wife are patrons of Pfadfinder und Pfadfinderinnen Liechtensteins.

He is the 1,305th Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece in Austria.

Titles

According to their House Laws[8], the Reigning Prince shall bear the title:

Reigning Prince of Liechtenstein, Duke of Troppau and Jägerndorf, Count of Rietberg, Sovereign of the House of Liechtenstein

See also

Princely Family of Liechtenstein
Coat of arms of Liechtenstein.png

HSH The Prince
HSH The Princess

  • HSH The Hereditary Prince
    HRH The Hereditary Princess
    • HSH Prince Joseph Wenzel
    • HSH Princess Marie-Caroline
    • HSH Prince Georg Antonius
    • HSH Prince Nikolaus Sebastian
  • HSH Prince Maximilian
    HSH Princess Angela
    • HSH Prince Alfons
  • HSH Prince Constantin
    HSH Princess Marie
    • HSH Prince Moritz
    • HSH Princess Georgina
    • HSH Prince Benedikt
  • HSH Princess Tatjana

External links

Monarchical styles of
Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein coa.png
Reference style His Serene Highness
Spoken style Your Serene Highness
Alternative style Sire

References

  1. Liechtenstein prince wins powers BBC News Online, 16 March 2003. Retrieved 29 December 2006.
  2. Country profile: Liechtenstein - Leaders BBC News, 6 December 2006. Retrieved 29 December 2006.
  3. Liechtenstein redraws Europe map BBC News Online, 28 December 2006. Retrieved 29 December 2006.
  4. http://pages.prodigy.net/ptheroff/gotha/kalnoky.html Countly House of Kálnoky
  5. Fürst Hans-Adam II.Retrieved 29 January 2008.
  6. Brósch-Fohraheim, Eugen (October 2008). "Schwedischer König als Pfadfinder in Wien-Zusammenkunft der "Weltpfadfinderstiftung" in Wien 2008" (in German). 29 live: 21. 
  7. Seine Majestät Carl XVI Gustaf König von Schweden zu Gast in WienRetrieved 29 October 2008.
  8. Liechtenstein House Laws [1]
Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein
House of Liechtenstein
Born: 16 April 1955
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Franz Josef II
Prince of Liechtenstein
1989 – present
Incumbent
Designated heir:
Alois
Family information
Prince Aloys
House of Liechtenstein
Prince Franz Josef II Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein
Elisabeth Amalie of Austria
Duke Ferdinand of Wilczek Georgina von Wilczek
Norbertine Kinsky of Wchinitz and Tettau