Liechtenstein's Royal Family has made a shock announcement that will affect all future generations of the family. On Saturday, a national day, Liechtenstein revealed that women are not allowed to inherit the throne, with second-born sons overtaking first-born daughters in the line of succession. The tiny European nation remains the only monarchy on the continent to operate under agnatic primogeniture rules.
Move to Absolute Primogeniture
A newly released statement revealed that the nation will now move to absolute primogeniture, the favoured model of European monarchies, although Monaco still operates under a male-favoured primogeniture system.
The statement read: "Dear citizens of Liechtenstein, the ability to combine continuity with renewal is a principle we also uphold within the Princely House. Throughout our centuries-long history, we have benefited greatly from making decisions with a long-term perspective and careful deliberation. I am pleased to inform you today of a decision of great importance to our House - one that has been discussed within the family, in part, for decades. It entails an amendment to the House Law; concrete work on this began late last year, and on Wednesday, it secured the necessary two-thirds majority among family members entitled to vote."
Implications for Future Generations
It continued: "This amendment grants all female descendants of the Princely House the same rights of participation in matters concerning the House Law as their male counterparts. Furthermore, the order of succession is shifting from male primogeniture to absolute primogeniture. This means that, in the future, the firstborn child - regardless of gender - will become the heir to the throne and, subsequently, the Princess or Prince of Liechtenstein."
Prince Hans-Adam II has been head of the monarchy since 1989. The rule change won't affect his son, Hereditary Prince Alois, as well as his grandson, Prince Alois's son, Prince Joseph Wenze. Prince Joseph Wenze is currently unmarried and has no children. However, if he has a future daughter, she will be known as the first Princess of Liechtenstein in the country's history.
