Figure 1.--This portrait is identified a a copy of a portrait of Prince Karl of Liechtenstein (1765-95) and his family and is dated 1792. The woman is Maria Anna Josepha, Countess of Khevenhüller-Metsch (1770–1849), and their son, Karl (1790-1865). We sre not sure how they fit intothe royal family, The ruling prince, John II had no children. He must have been the perhaps the greandson or fraet grandson of an earlier ruling prince. We thught he might be a grandson of Aloysius II, but tat does not seem to be the case. The artist was Heinrich Füger. Notice the skeleton suit and leading strings.

Karl I (1569–1627) was the first member of the House of Liechtenstein to become a Prince of the Holy Roman Empire Atfirst thisb was an honorary title because the Liechtenstein family did not t possess any territory with semi-sovereignty (Landeshoheit) within the Holy Roman Empire. Karl played an imprtant role in imperial politics, helping to depose Rudolf II (1612). He also played a role in the early phase of the Thirty Year War. Karl aqcuired scveral small territories, but the family would not acquire what is now known as Liechtenstein until 1699. The family purchased the territory of Liechtenstein (1699 and 1712) and it was declared a principality (1719). The princes became the monarchs of Liechtenstein. Information is available on the complete line. And unlike other German principalities, the Liechtenstein and Luxembourg dynnasties contines to be the ruling family.

Alois I (1781–1805)

Johann I Joseph (1805-36)

Aloysius II (1836-1858)

Aloysius II was born in 1796. His father was John I of, Prince of Liechtenstein (1760- ). His mother was Josepha von Fürstenberg-Weitra (1776- ). He married Frances Kinsky (1831- ). They had seven children. Aloysius died in 1858. John and Framces succeeded him, but when both died childless, the crown passed to Franz Josef II, the grandson of Aloysius' third daughter Henrietta (1843- ).

John II the Good (1858-1929)

John II was born in 1840. His father was Aloysius II (1796- ). His mother was of Frances Kinsky (1813- ). He acceded to the throne in 1858 upon the death of hos father. He ruled over 60 years. The Prince signed the first Constitution in 1862. H cguided Liechtenstein through both the Austro-Prussian and Franco-Prussian Wars. Liechtenstein set between Austria and Switzerland had a long standing orienation toward Austria. Liechtenstein did not join the German unification (1871). It was never a member of the preceding North German Confederation, the political entity centeed on Prussia from which the German Empire was formed. Its historical, political, and strategic allegiance was oeuented toward the Austrian Empire, not Prussia. This long-standing alliance, combined with a timely declaration of neutrality and a unique sovereign path, ensured Liechtenstein remained independent. And the new German Empire for some reason did not push the issue. The members of the Diet were chosen by electors. He inmsisted on a neutral rance. And like Belgium was invaded and occupied bt Hermany during World War I (1914-18). After the War, promulgated the more democratic constitution (1921) which gave full political responsibility to the people of Liechtenstein. John II died without marrying and had no children (1929). .

Francis I (1929-1938)

Francis I was born in 1853. His father was Aloysius II (1796- ). His mother was of Frances Kinsky (1813- ). He inherited the throne in 1929 upon the death of his older brother John II. Francius also did not marry and had no children.

Franz Joseph II (1938-89)

Franz Joseph was born in 1906. His father was Prince Aloys (1869- ), a grandson of Aloysius II. His mother was Elisabeth Amalia Habsburg-Lotharingen (1878- ). Prince Franz Joseph II ruled Liechtenstein for 51 years. He in 1938 was the first Prince ever to take up residence in the castle of Vaduz. As far as we can tell, there was no Jewish community. Prince Josef Wenzel even banned Jewish commerce—-except at fairs (17th century). Liechtenstein generally followed Swiss policies and border practices. About 400 Jewish refugees tried to flee to Liechtenstein during the NAZI era. Some 235 were accepted but 165 were turned back. 【NAZI crimes】 The Principality allowed 144 Jews to become citizens 'in return for high fees'. Some pro-NAZI elements wanted the Jews deported, but Prince Franz ignored the demands. There were no deportations, slave labor, or property seizures. (Concentration camp labor was utilized for work om estates owned by the Royal Family in Czechoslovakia and Austria.) Apparently the number of Jews was so small that NAZI officials ignored them. Any action would have involved diplomatic complications with Switzerland--something the NAZIs wanted to avoid because Switzerland was so useful to them. Franz Joseph married Georgina of Wilczek in 1943 during World War II. They had five children: John III Adam (1945- ), Philip Erasmus (1946- ), Nicholas (1947- ), Nora (1950- ), and Franz Joseph of Wenceslas (1962- ). The boys appears to have been dressed alike as children. In one curious images all the boys wear the same long knickers, but with both belts and suspenders. Franz Joseph II died in 1989 and was succeeded by his eldest son John III Adam.

Hans Adam II (1989- )

Franz Joseph II von Liechtenstein was in 1984 succeeded by his oldest son Hans Adam, who in 1989 took the name Hans Adam II. He married Mary Aglae Kinsky in 1967. They had four children: Alois (1968- ), Maximilian (1969- ), Constantine (1972- ), and Tatiana (1973- ). Prince Hans Adam was granted all the Regency's executive powers in 1984 and rose to the throne upon his father's death in 1989. Hans Adam in late 1993 revised the Hausgesetz (the 'house code' of the ruling family), including the right for the population constitutionally to depose him or even abolish the monarchy altogether if they so wished.

Prince Alois ( - )

Pince Alois was born in 1968. We know nothing of his childhood at this time. He married to Princess Sophie of Bavaria (1967- ). Suggestions that Prince Hans Adam II would step down in favour of his son, Crown Prince Alois, have not so far occurred. Prince Alois married Sophie Wittelsbach in 1993. Prince Hans Adam II formally handed over day to day governing power to his Prince Alois (2004). The entire population of the principality was then invited to a garden party. Prince Adam continued, however to retain overall authority.

Sources

"Nazi crimes taint Liechtenstein." BBC News (April 14, 2005).

Created: 4:28 AM 1/21/2026
Last updated: 4:28 AM 1/21/2026