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House of Liechtenstein

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House of Liechtenstein
Coat of arms of Liechtenstein
Coat of arms of Liechtenstein
Country Principality of Liechtenstein
Place of origin Liechtenstein Castle, Maria Enzersdorf, Austria
Founded 1608 (as a princely house)
Founder Karl I (first prince)
Current head Hans-Adam II
Titles Prince of Liechtenstein
Duke of Troppau
Duke of Jägerndorf,
Count of Rietberg
Style Serene Highness
Website www.fuerstenhaus.li

The House of Liechtenstein (German: Haus Liechtenstein), from which the principality takes its name, is the family which reigns by hereditary right over the principality of Liechtenstein. Only dynastic members of the family are eligible to inherit the throne. The dynasty's membership, rights and responsibilities are defined by a law of the family, which is enforced by the reigning prince and may be altered by vote among the family's dynasts, but which may not be altered by the Government or Parliament of Liechtenstein.[1]

History

The family originates from Liechtenstein Castle in Lower Austria (near Vienna), which the family possessed from at least 1136 to the 13th century, and from 1807 onwards.

The progenitor Hugo von Liechtenstein (d. 1156) built Liechtenstein Castle around 1122-36 on a fief that he received from the Babenberg margraves of Austria. He also received Petronell on the Danube and Rohrau Castle, near the then border with the Kingdom of Hungary, at first as a fief, from 1142 as a free property (allod).

Heinrich I (d. 1265), lord of Liechtenstein and Petronell, was given the lordship of Nikolsburg in southern Moravia as free property from Ottokar II of Bohemia, whom he supported politically, in 1249. It remained one of the most important seats until it was sold in 1560. In 1394, John I of Liechtenstein, lord of Nikolsburg (d. 1397), acquired the Feldsberg estate (then Lower Austria, today Valtice, Czech Republic). When he fell out of favor with Albert III, Duke of Austria, for whom he had long conducted government business, he lost his lands south of the Danube, but could keep Nikolsburg because Bohemia and Moravia did not come to the Habsburgs until 1526.

Through the centuries, the dynasty acquired vast swathes of land, predominantly in Moravia, Lower Austria, Silesia and Styria, though in all cases, these territories were parts of countries that were ruled by other dynasties, particularly the House of Habsburg, to whom several Liechtenstein princes served as close advisers.

At the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries, the three brothers Karl, Maximilian and Gundakar initiated a new period in the family history. The nobility and population in Austria, Hungary, and Bohemia had predominantly converted to Protestantism during the Reformation period of the 16th century; however, the three brothers converted back to the Catholic faith at the right time before the outbreak of the mainly religiously motivated Thirty Years' War. The Habsburgs, who ruled the Holy Roman Empire almost continuously until 1806 as Holy Roman Emperors, had always preserved their Catholic faith. The three brothers supported the ultra-catholic Emperor Ferdinand II in crushing the Bohemian Revolt. Maximilian, as Field Marshal, won the Battle of White Mountain. On diplomatic missions, Gundaker prepared the Catholic League, which fought for the Habsburgs in the Thirty Years' War. Karl restored order as Viceroy of Bohemia and oversaw the arrests and executions of the 27 Protestant leaders of the uprising. For this they were all three made Princes of the Holy Roman Empire. In addition, they were able to cheaply acquire huge lands from expelled and dispossessed Protestant nobles in Bohemia and Moravia, especially since Karl himself, as the Emperor's representative, carried out these confiscations. He also received the Duchy of Troppau and the Duchy of Krnov (Jägerndorf) in Silesia from the Emperor. The respective Fürst still holds these two ducal titles to this day.

The Moravian and Bohemian possessions acquired at the time included: Bučovice, Moravská Třebová, Moravský Krumlov, Uherský Ostroh (with Kunovice and Hluk), Šternberk and a palace in Prague (on Malostranské náměstí). In 1802 Velké Losiny was added. Most of these estates remained in the possession of the princely house until Czechoslovakia expropriated them in 1945. In 1622, Maximilian founded a monastery in Vranov, in whose family crypt almost all Liechtenstein princes were buried, until a new crypt was built in Vaduz in 1960.

Despite all the extensive land acquisitions, the rise of the House of Liechtenstein was still missing the decisive factor: Although they bore the title of Princes in the Empire, this was only an honorary title, because the family did not yet possess any territory with semi-sovereignty (Landeshoheit) within the Empire. All their lands were fiefs (feudal grants) granted to them by the Habsburg emperor in his capacity as both Bohemian king and Austrian archduke, but none of them depended directly on the Imperial crown, the group of so-called immediate territories that formed the apex of the fief pyramid and enjoyed the highest prestige and, more importantly, were represented with hereditary seats in the Imperial Diet (Reichstag). The then head of the family, Prince Hans-Adam I, was able to arrange the purchase from the Hohenems family of the minuscule Lordship of Schellenberg in 1699, and the County of Vaduz in 1712. Schellenberg and Vaduz were indeed a lordship and a county respectively, which were directly subordinate to the emperor as feudal lord.

On 23 January 1719, after the purchase had been made, Charles VI as Holy Roman Emperor decreed Vaduz and Schellenberg to be united and raised to the dignity of a Principality by the name of "Liechtenstein", in honour of "[his] true servant, Anton Florian of Liechtenstein", the successor of Hans-Adam I. On this date, the brand new principality of Liechtenstein became a member state of the Holy Roman Empire whereby the ruling princes became the monarchs of Liechtenstein and they finally received the longed-for hereditary seat in the Reichstag. However, the ruling princes did not set foot in their new principality for several decades, a testament to the pure political expediency of the purchases. Since the small country, far away from Vienna and Bohemia, consisted only of farming villages, the administration was installed in the nearest town, Feldkirch in Austria, where the prince had an office building built for his governor. Vaduz Castle, the center of the medieval county of that name, remained unused and was rented out as a restaurant for hikers until the late 19th century.

With the end of the Holy Roman Empire in 1806, the Principality of Liechtenstein became sovereign and was recognized in this status by the Congress of Vienna in 1814/1815. Johann I became the first sovereign ruler. He acquired a number of castles and estates in Austria for his numerous sons, which are still mostly inhabited by their descendants today. The reigning princes continued to live in their magnificent Vienna residences, Liechtenstein City Palace and Liechtenstein Garden Palace, and on their Moravian and Bohemian estates, with Lednice and Valtice (German names: Eisgrub and Feldsberg) as their main residence. The border between Austria and Bohemia-Moravia, both member states of the Austro-Hungarian Empire under the Habsburg rule, ran through the park between the two castles. The local administration of the Principality of Liechtenstein was overseen by a governor, and the government office was located at the prince's seat.

It was not until the Occupation of Czechoslovakia (1938–1945) by Nazi Germany at the beginning of World War II that the residence was moved from Valtice to Vaduz. The prince had opposed the annexation of Czech territory, including Valtice and Lednice, into Sudetenland, and as a consequence his properties were confiscated by the Nazis, and the family then relocated to Vaduz in 1939. Austria had also been annexed by Germany through the Anschluss in 1938.

After the Second World War, not only were the family's Czechoslovak properties expropriated, but in Allied-occupied Austria most of their properties were also located in the Soviet occupation zone and were therefore inaccessible until the end of the occupation in 1955. Due to the expropriations in Czechoslovakia as a result of the Beneš decrees in 1945, the family lost a large part of their land holdings, with about 1,200 square kilometers (463 square miles), 7.5 times the total area of the Principality itself.[2] It was only able to restore its prosperity, including the upkeep of numerous castles in Austria and of the world-famous art collections, in the last quarter of the 20th century by expanding its small Liechtenstein bank into the internationally operating financial company LGT Group.

According to the Constitution of the Princely House of Liechtenstein of 26 October 1993, all members other than the reigning prince shall bear the titles of Prince or Princess of Liechtenstein and Count or Countess of Rietberg.

Rulers

Partitions of Liechtenstein under the House of Liechtenstein

Counties of Vaduz
and Schellenburg under
House of Tübingen (1050-1416)
and successors (1416-1712) 		Lordship of Liechtenstein
(1130-1608)
Lordship of
Petronell
(1209-1307) 		Lordship
of Rohrau
(1209-1308)
Rohrau inherited
by the Stadeck family
Lordship of
Liechtenstein
(1156-1608) 		Lordship of
Ravensperg
(1350-1427)
Lordship of
Nikolsburg
(1427-1461)
Lordship of
Feldsberg
(1445-1585)
Lordship of
Steyregg
(1445-1548)
Feldsberg branch since 1585 Lordship of
Wilfersdorf
(1585-1709)
Raised to:
Principality of Liechtenstein
(1608–present)[3]
End of the monarchy in Germany, Austria and Czechia (since 1918)
Principality lost sovereignty over properties in these countries
  • Table of rulers
  • Ruler — Born — Reign — Ruling part — Consort — Death — Notes
  • Hugo I — c.1100
    ? — 1130 – 1150 — Lordship of Liechtenstein — Unknown
    at least one child — c.1150
    aged 49–50 — Founder of the line of lords of Liechtenstein.
  • Dietrich I — c.1130
    Son of Hugo I — 1150 – 1192 — Lordship of Liechtenstein — Virat of Pfaffstetten
    five children — 1192
    aged 61–62
  • Dietrich II[4] — c.1150
    Son of Dietrich I and Virat of Pfaffstetten — 1192 – 12 April 1209 — Lordship of Liechtenstein —? of Guntramsdorf
    three children — 12 April 1209
    aged 58–59
  • Henry I — c.1190
    First son of Dietrich II — 12 April 1209 – 11 May 1265 — Lordship of Liechtenstein — Diemut
    one child

    Matilda
    five children — 11 May 1265
    aged 74–75 — Children of Dietrich II, divided their inheritance.
  • Dietrich III — c.1190
    Second son of Dietrich II — 12 April 1209 – 1258 — Lordship of Rohrau — Margaret
    at least one child — 1258
    aged 67–68
  • Albert I — c.1200
    Third son of Dietrich II — 12 April 1209 – 1280 — Lordship of Petronell — Unknown
    three children — 1280
    aged 79–80?
  • Dietrich IV — c.1220
    Son of Dietrich III and Margaret — 1258 – 1278 — Lordship of Rohrau — Diemutha of Faldenberg
    (d.1292)
    1250
    one child — 1278
    aged 57–58
  • Frederick — c.1230?
    First son of Henry I and Matilda — 11 May 1265 – 1310 — Lordship of Liechtenstein — Agnes of Himperg
    one child — 1310
    aged 69–70? — Children of Henry I, ruled jointly. Frederick's namesake son, Frederick (II) predeceased him; the heirs were the sons of Henry II.
  • Henry II — c.1230?
    Second son of Henry I and Matilda — 11 May 1265 – 13 April 1314 — Petrissa of Zelking
    (d.1318)
    two children — 13 April 1314
    aged 73–74?
  • Hartneid I — c.1230?
    Third son of Henry I and Matilda — 11 May 1265 – 13 April 1314 — Unmarried — 1277
    aged 46–47?
  • Diemutha — c.1250
    Daughter of Dietrich IV and Diemutha of Faldenberg — 1278 – 25 January 1308 — Lordship of Rohrau — Liutold, Lord of Stadeck
    (d.31 March 1295)
    c.1265
    at least one child

    Ulrich I, Lord of Walsee
    (d.23 January 1329)
    c.1295
    at least one child — 25 January 1308
    aged 57–58 — Through her first marriage, Rohrau was passed to the Stadeck family.
  • Rohrau inherited by Stadeck family
  • Hugo II — c.1240
    First son of Albert I — 1280 – 1295 — Lordship of Petronell — Unknown
    at least one child — 1295
    aged 54–55 — Brothers, they are all named Lord of Petronell, which may indicate a co-rulership.
  • Albert II — c.1240
    Second son of Albert — 1280 – 1290 —? of Wildungsmauer
    no children — 1290
    aged 49–50
  • Peter — c.1240
    Third son of Albert — 1280 – 1285 — Unmarried — c.1285
    aged 44–45?
  • Dietrich V — c.1260
    Son of Hugo II — 1295 – 1307 — Lordship of Petronell — Unmarried — 1307
    aged 46–47 — After his death Petronell returned to Liechtenstein.
  • Petronell returned to Liechtenstein
  • Hartneid II — c.1280?
    Son of Henry II and Petrissa of Zelking — 13 April 1314 – 1350 — Lordship of Liechtenstein — Agnes of Heinzel
    (d.1353)
    thirteen children — 1350
    aged 69–70?
  • Henry III — c.1320?
    First son of Hartneid II and Agnes of Heinzel — 1350 – 1369 — Lordship of Liechtenstein —? of Walsee
    one child — 1369
    aged 48–49? — Children of Hartneid I, divided their inheritance. Anna's part was inherited by Kranichberg; John's part returned to Liechtenstein.
  • Hartneid III the Elder — c.1320?
    Fifth son of Hartneid II and Agnes of Heinzel — 1350 – 1377 — Anna of Sternberg
    (d.1376)
    four children — 1377
    aged 56–57?
  • Henry IV the Younger — c.1320?
    Eighth son of Hartneid II and Agnes of Heinzel — 1350 – 1383 — Unmarried — 1383
    aged 62–63?
  • John I — 1335
    Second son of Hartneid II and Agnes of Heinzel — 1350 – 14 March 1397 — Lordship of Liechtenstein
    (at Nikolsburg) — Agnes of Klingenberg
    (d.c.1385)
    one child

    Catharina of Pottendorf
    no children

    Elisabeth of Puchheim
    (d.1408)
    no children — 14 March 1397
    Mikulov
    aged 63–64
  • Anna — c.1320?
    Daughter of Hartneid II and Agnes of Heinzel — 1350 – 13 February 1357 — Lordship of Liechtenstein
    (at Petronell) — Siegfried, Lod of Kranichberg
    (d.1342)
    c.1300?
    at least one child — 13 February 1357
    aged 36–37?
  • Hartneid IV the Younger — c.1320?
    Seventh son of Hartneid II and Agnes of Heinzel — 1350 – 1395 — Lordship of Ravensperg — Afra of Walsee
    (d.1430)
    three children — 1395
    aged 74–75?
  • Christopher I — c.1350?
    Son of Henry III — 1369 – 1413 — Lordship of Liechtenstein — Barbara of Schenna
    no children — 1413
    aged 69–70? — Cousins, ruled jointly.
  • John II — — c.1350?
    First son of Hartneid III and Anna of Sternberg — 1369 – 1412 — Margaret of Capellen
    no children

    Agnes of Kuenring
    (d.c.1420)
    three children — 1412
    aged 69–70?
  • Henry V — c.1350?
    Second son of Hartneid III and Anna of Sternberg — 1369 – 1418 — Dorothea of Eckartsau
    six children

    Anna of Zelking
    (d.1448)
    no children — 1418
    aged 69–70?
  • Hartneid V — c.1350?
    Son of Hartneid IV and Afra of Walsee — 1395 – 1427 — Lordship of Ravensperg — Dorothea of Capellen
    (d.1426)
    no children — 1427
    aged 76–77? — Left no children. Ravensperg returned to Liechtenstein.
  • Ravensperg returned to Liechtenstein
  • John III — c.1390?
    Son of John II and Agnes of Kuenring — 1418 – 4 June 1427 — Lordship of Liechtenstein — Hedwig of Pottendorf
    one child — 4 June 1427
    aged 36–37? — Left no male descendants. Liechtenstein passed to his cousins.
  • George I — c.1390
    First son of Henry V and Dorothea of Eckartsau — 4 June 1427 – 1444 — Lordship of Liechtenstein — Hedwig of Pottendorf
    six children — 1444
    aged 53–54 — Cousins of John III, divided the inheritance. George married the widow of his cousin.
  • Christopher II — c.1390?
    Second son of Henry V and Dorothea of Eckartsau — 4 June 1427 – 22 June 1445 — Lordship of Nikolsburg — Anna of Puchheim
    two children — 22 June 1445
    aged 54–55?
  • John IV — — c.1430?
    First son of George I and Hedwig of Pottendorf — 1444 – 1474 — Lordship of Liechtenstein — Bertha of Rosenberg
    October 1449
    one child — 1474
    Vienna
    aged 53–54? — Children of George I; divided their inheritance.
  • Christopher III — c.1430?
    Third son of George I and Hedwig of Pottendorf — 1444 – 1506 — Unknown
    c.1470
    four children

    Amalia of Starhemberg
    (1450-1502)
    1493
    no children — 1506
    aged 75–76?
  • Henry VI the Lame — c.1430?
    Second son of George I and Hedwig of Pottendorf — 1444 – 1483 — Lordship of Steyregg — Agnes of Starhemberg
    (1455-1501)
    16 November 1473
    four children — 1483
    aged 52–53?
  • George II — c.1430?
    Fourth son of George I and Hedwig of Pottendorf — 1444 – 1484 — Lordship of Feldsberg — Agnes of Eckartsau
    two children — 1484
    aged 53–54?
  • William — c.1430?
    First son of Christopher II and Anna of Puchheim — 22 June 1445 – 12 August 1459 — Lordship of Nikolsburg — Barbara Frangepan
    (d.1490)
    no children — 12 August 1459
    Selibice
    aged 28–29? — Left no surviving descendants, and Nikolsburg returned to Liechtenstein.
  • Nikolsburg returned to Liechtenstein
  • Regency of Agnes of Starhemberg (1483-1494)
  • George III — — 1480
    Son of Henry VI and Agnes of Starhemberg — 1483 – 6 August 1548 — Lordship of Steyregg — Magdalena of Polheim
    (1497-c.1525)
    1518
    four children — 6 August 1548
    aged 52–53?
  • Hartmann I — c.1470?
    Son of George II and Agnes of Eckartsau — 1484 – 1539 — Lordship of Feldsberg — Amalia of Hohenlohe
    (d.1511)
    1507
    no children

    Johanna of Mainburg
    (d.1521)
    c.1510
    three children — 1539
    aged 68–69?
  • Wolfgang I — 1473
    Son of Christopher III and Amalia of Starhemberg — 1506 – 1520 — Lordship of Liechtenstein — Genowefa of Schaunberg
    (d.1519)
    1498
    four children — 1520
    aged 48–49
  • John V — 1500
    Son of Wolfgang I and Genowefa of Schaunberg — 1520 – 17 June 1552 — Lordship of Liechtenstein — Anna of Liechtenstein-Steyregg
    1535
    (annulled 1545?)
    six children

    Esther of Dietrichstein
    (4 July 1525 - 20 February 1597)
    1543
    three children — 17 June 1552
    aged 53–54?
  • George Hartmann — 1513
    Son of Hartmann I and Johanna of Mainburg — 1539 – 12 July 1562 — Lordship of Feldsberg — Susanna of Liechtenstein-Steyregg
    (d.1595)
    1542
    thirteen children — 12 July 1562
    aged 48–49
  • Anna — 1523
    Daughter of George III and Magdalena of Polheim — 6 August 1548 – 1595 — Lordship of Steyregg — John V, Lord of Liechtenstein
    1535
    (annulled 1545?)
    six children — 1595
    aged 71–72? — Through he marriage, Steyregg returned to Liechtenstein.
  • Steyregg returned to Liechtenstein
  • George IV — 1535
    First son of John V and Anna of Liechtenstein-Steyregg — 17 June 1552 – 1579 — Lordship of Liechtenstein — Eleanor of Königsberg
    (1541-1591)
    1559
    no children — 1579
    aged 43–44? — Children of John V, ruled jointly. None of them left heirs, and Liechtenstein was inherited by Feldsberg branch.
  • Wolfgang II — 1536
    Second son of John V and Anna of Liechtenstein-Steyregg — 17 June 1552 – 1585 — Benigna of Polheim
    (d.1588)
    no children — 1585
    aged 48–49
  • Hartmann II — 6 April/May 1544
    Valtice
    Son of George Hartmann and Susanna of Liechtenstein-Steyregg — 12 July 1562 – 11 October 1585 — Lordship of Feldsberg — Anna Maria of Ortenburg
    28 October 1568
    Neu-Ortenburg Castle
    nine children — 11 October 1585
    Lednice
    aged 41
  • Charles — — 30 July 1569
    Valtice
    First son of Hartmann II, Lord of Liechtenstein-Feldsberg and Anna Maria of Ortenburg — 11 October 1585 – 12 February 1627 — Lordship of Liechtenstein
    (as Prince) — Anna Maria Šemberová of Boskovice and Černá Hora
    1590
    five children — 12 February 1627
    Prague
    aged 57 — In 1585, reunited his family patrimony, but re-divided it again. In 1608, the brothers were titled Prince, but this title was empty, as none of their holdings ever held the dignity of Principality. In fact they remained as lords of their estates. Maximilian's estates were inherited by Charles's son Charles Eusebius.
  • Maximilian I — — 6 November 1578
    Lednice
    Second son of Hartmann II, Lord of Liechtenstein-Feldsberg and Anna Maria of Ortenburg — 11 October 1585 – 29 April 1645 — Lordship of Liechtenstein
    (in Rabensburg and Hohenau an der March; as Prince) — Catherine Šemberová of Boskovice and Černá Hora
    1597
    no children — 29 April 1645
    Győr
    aged 66
  • Gundakar — — 30 January 1580
    Lednice
    Third son of Hartmann II, Lord of Liechtenstein-Feldsberg and Anna Maria of Ortenburg — 11 October 1585 – 5 August 1658 — Lordship of Wilfersdorf
    (as Prince) — Agnes of East Frisia
    29 March 1604
    Prague
    seven children

    Elizabeth Lucretia, Duchess of Cieszyn
    23 April 1618
    three children — 5 August 1658
    Wilfersdorf Castle
    aged 78
  • Regency of Maximilian I, Prince of Liechtenstein-Rabensburg and Gundakar, Prince of Liechtenstein-Wilfersdorf (1627-1632)
  • Charles Eusebius — — 11 April 1611
    Valtice
    Son of Charles and Anna Maria Šemberová of Boskovice and Černá Hora} — 12 February 1627 – 5 April 1684 — Lordship of Liechtenstein
    (as Prince) — Johanna Beatrix of Dietrichstein
    6 August 1644
    Vienna
    five children — 5 April 1684
    Kostelec nad Černými lesy
    aged 72
  • Hartmann III — — 9 January 1613
    Vienna
    Son of Gundakar and Agnes of East Frisia — 5 August 1658 – 11 February 1686 — Lordship of Wilfersdorf
    (as Prince) — Sidonia Elisabeth of Salm-Reifferscheidt
    27 October 1640
    Koln
    twenty-three children — 11 February 1686
    Wilfersdorf Castle
    aged 73
  • Hans-Adam I the Rich — — 16 August 1662
    Brno
    Son of Charles Eusebius and Johanna Beatrix of Dietrichstein — 5 April 1684 – 16 June 1712 — Lordship of Liechtenstein
    (as Prince; with the Lordships of Schellenberg since 1699, and Vaduz since 1712) — Erdmuthe Maria Theresia of Dietrichstein
    16 February 1681
    Vienna
    seven children — 16 June 1712
    Vienna
    aged 49 — On 18 January 1699[5] he acquired the seigneury of Schellenberg, and on 22 February 1712 the county of Vaduz.[6] These two domains would later form the present principality of Liechtenstein.
  • Maximilian II — 25 July 1641
    Wilfersdorf Castle
    First son of Hartmann III and Sidonia Elisabeth of Salm-Reifferscheidt — 11 February 1686 – 21 April 1709 — Lordship of Wilfersdorf
    (as Prince) — Johanna Beatrice of Liechtenstein
    29 April 1669
    Wilfersdorf Castle
    two children

    Eleonora Margaret of Sonderburg-Wiesenburg
    1 October 1673
    Wilfersdorf Castle
    two children

    Maria Elisabeth of Liechtenstein
    30 October 1702
    Wilfersdorf Castle
    four children — 21 April 1709
    Český Krumlov
    aged 67 — Left no descendants. He was succeeded by his brother.
  • Anton Florian — — 28 May 1656
    Wilfersdorf
    Second son of Hartmann III and Sidonia Elisabeth of Salm-Reifferscheidt — 21 April 1709 – 16 June 1712 — Lordship of Wilfersdorf
    (as Prince) — Eleonore Barbara von Thun und Hohenstein
    15 October 1679
    Krupka
    eleven children — 11 October 1721
    Vienna
    aged 65 — Heirs of Hans-Adam I. Maria Theresa inherited the duchy of Opava from her father and, as she survived her offspring, Opava returned to Liechtenstein after her death. The same happened for Maria Elisabeth. As for Anton Florian, he was the heir of his brother in Wilfersdorf, and eventually inherited the majority of Liechtenstein family's estates. However, Hans-Adam left the core of today's Liechtenstein to another heir: Joseph Wenzel (16 June 1712 – 12 March 1718), heir of Schellenberg and Vaduz.[7] This nomination was against the family inheritance settlement of 1606, and Joseph Wenzel eventually returned these properties to Anton Florian in exchange for the Lordship of Rumburk.
    In 1719, after settling he inheritance question, Anton Florian was rewarded with the Principality of Liechtenstein, created by Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor with the fusion of Schellenberg and Vaduz.
  • 16 June 1712 – 11 October 1721 — Lordship of Liechtenstein
    (as Prince; with Schellenberg and Vaduz since 1718)

    Principality of Liechtenstein
    (since 23 January 1719)[8]
  • Maria Elisabeth — — 8 May 1683
    Vienna
    First daughter of Hans-Adam I and Erdmuthe Maria Theresia of Dietrichstein — 16 June 1712 – 8 May 1744 — Lordship of Liechtenstein
    (as Princess; in Göding, Fryšava pod Žákovou horou, Bonitz, Kyjovice and Jaroslavice) — Maximilian II, Prince of Liechtenstein-Wilfersdorf
    30 October 1702
    Wilfersdorf Castle
    four children

    Leopold, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Wiesenburg
    3 May 1715
    Lemgo
    five children — 8 May 1744
    Vienna
    aged 61
  • Maria Theresa — — 11 May 1694
    Vienna
    Fourth daughter of Hans-Adam I and Erdmuthe Maria Theresia of Dietrichstein — 16 June 1712 – 20 February 1772 — Lordship of Liechtenstein
    (as Princess; in the Duchy of Opava) — Thomas Emmanuel of Savoy, Count of Soissons
    24 October 1713
    Vienna
    one child — 20 February 1772
    Vienna
    aged 77
  • Joseph Johann Adam — — 25 May 1690
    Vienna
    Son of Anton Florian and Eleonore Barbara von Thun und Hohenstein — 11 October 1721 – 17 December 1732 — Principality of Liechtenstein — Maria Gabriella of Liechtenstein
    1 December 1712
    Vienna
    one child

    Marianna of Thun and Hohenstein
    3 February 1716
    Vienna
    no children

    Maria Anna of Oettingen-Spielberg
    3 August 1716
    Vienna
    five children

    Maria Anna Kottulinsky
    22 August 1729
    Głogów
    two children — 16 June 1712
    Valtice
    aged 42
  • Regency of Joseph Wenzel of Liechtenstein (1732-1745) — Left no surviving male children. The principality went to his aunt and uncle.
  • Johann Nepomuk Charles — — 8 July 1724
    Vienna
    Son of Joseph Johann Adam and Maria Anna of Oettingen-Spielberg — 17 December 1732 – 22 December 1748 — Principality of Liechtenstein — Maria Josepha von Harrach
    19 March 1744
    Vienna
    three children — 22 December 1748
    Vyškov
    aged 20
  • Anna Maria — — 11 September 1699
    Vienna
    Daughter of Anton Florian and Eleonore Barbara von Thun und Hohenstein — 22 December 1748 – 20 January 1753 — Principality of Liechtenstein
    (suo jure heiress) — Johann Ernst of Thun-Hohenstein
    (1694–1717)
    1716
    Vienna
    no children

    Joseph Wenzel I
    19 April 1718
    Vienna
    five children — 20 January 1753
    Vienna
    aged 53 — Spouses, inherited the principality. She was sister of Joseph Johann Adam, and heir of her nephew John Nepomuk, He was a nephew of Anton Florian and, after ruling for a brief period the lordships of Schellanberg and Vaduz, and being regent for John Nepomuk, finally takes full possession of all the family's property. However, the couple didn't have surviving offspring; the principality went to their nephew, son of Joseph Wenzel's brother.
  • Joseph Wenzel I — — 9 August 1696
    Prague
    Son of Philip Erasmus of Liechtenstein-Wilfersdorf and Christina Theresa of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rochefort — 22 December 1748 – 10 February 1772 — Principality of Liechtenstein — Anna Maria
    19 April 1718
    Vienna
    five children — 10 February 1772
    Vienna
    aged 75
  • Franz Joseph I — — 19 November 1726
    Milan
    Son of Emanuel of Liechtenstein and Anna Antonia of Dietrichstein-Weichselstädt — 10 February 1772 – 18 August 1781 — Principality of Liechtenstein — Leopoldine of Sternberg
    6 July 1750
    Valtice
    eight children — 18 August 1781
    Metz
    aged 54 — Nephew of Joseph Wenzel.
  • Aloys I — — 14 May 1759
    Vienna
    First son of Franz Joseph I and Leopoldine of Sternberg — 18 August 1781 – 24 March 1805 — Principality of Liechtenstein — Karoline of Manderscheid-Blankenheim
    15 November 1783
    Valtice
    no children — 24 March 1805
    Vienna
    aged 45 — Left no children. The principality was inherited by his brother.
  • Johann I Joseph — — 26 June 1760
    Vienna
    Second son of Franz Joseph I and Leopoldine of Sternberg — 24 March 1805 – 29 April 1836 — Principality of Liechtenstein — Josepha of Fürstenberg-Weitra
    12 April 1792
    Vienna
    fourteen children — 20 April 1836
    Vienna
    aged 75
  • Aloys II — — 25 May 1796
    Vienna
    Son of Johann I Joseph and Josepha of Fürstenberg-Weitra — 29 April 1836 – 12 May 1858 — Principality of Liechtenstein — Franziska Kinsky of Wchinitz and Tettau
    8 August 1831
    Vienna
    eleven children — 12 May 1858
    Lednice
    aged 54
  • Johann II the Good — — 5 October 1840
    Lednice
    First son of Aloys II and Franziska Kinsky of Wchinitz and Tettau — 12 May 1858 – 11 February 1929 — Principality of Liechtenstein — Unmarried — 11 February 1929
    Valtice
    aged 88 — Left no children. The principality passed to his brother.
  • Franz I — — 28 August 1853
    Liechtenstein Castle
    Second son of Aloys II and Franziska Kinsky of Wchinitz and Tettau — 11 February 1929 – 25 July 1938 — Principality of Liechtenstein — Elisabeth von Gutmann
    22 July 1929
    Lainz, near Vienna
    eight children — 25 July 1938
    Valtice
    aged 84
  • Regency of Franz Joseph of Liechtenstein (March–July 1938)
  • Franz Joseph II — — 16 August 1906
    Frauenthal Castle
    Son of Aloys of Liechtenstein and Elisabeth Amalie of Austria — 25 July 1938 – 13 November 1989 — Principality of Liechtenstein — Georgina von Wilczek
    7 March 1943
    Vaduz Cathedral
    five children — 13 November 1989
    Grabs
    aged 83 — Cousin of Franz I, as grandson of Henriette (sister of Johann II and Franz I) and Alfred (himself grandson of Johann I Joseph). Became heir and regent early in 1938.
  • Regency of Hans-Adam of Liechtenstein (1984-1989)
  • Hans-Adam II — — 14 February 1945
    Milan
    Son of Franz Joseph II and Georgina von Wilczek — 13 November 1989 – present — Principality of Liechtenstein — Marie Aglaë Kinsky von Wchinitz und Tettau
    30 July 1967
    Vaduz Cathedral
    four children — Living
  • Regency of Alois of Liechtenstein (2004-present)

21st-century princely family

  • The Prince (the monarch)
    • The Hereditary Prince and Hereditary Princess (the Prince's son and daughter-in-law)
    • Prince Maximilian and Princess Angela (the Prince's son and daughter-in-law)
      • Prince Alfons (the Prince's grandson)
    • Princess Marie (the Prince's daughter-in-law)
      • Prince Moritz (the Prince's grandson)
      • Princess Georgina (the Prince's granddaughter)
      • Prince Benedikt (the Prince's grandson)
    • Princess Tatjana (the Prince's daughter)
  • Prince Philipp and Princess Isabelle (the Prince's brother and sister-in-law)
    • Prince Alexander and Princess Astrid (the Prince's nephew and niece-in-law)
    • Prince Wenzeslaus (the Prince's nephew)
    • Prince Rudolf and Princess Tılsım (the Prince's nephew and niece-in-law)
      • Princess Alienor Faye (the Prince's great-niece)
      • Princess Laetitia (the Prince's great-niece)
      • Prince Karl Ludwig (the Prince's great-nephew)
  • Prince Nikolaus and Princess Margaretha (the Prince's brother and sister-in-law)
    • Princess Maria-Anunciata (the Prince's niece)
    • Princess Marie-Astrid (the Prince's niece)
    • Prince Josef-Emanuel and Princess María Claudia (the Prince's nephew and niece-in-law)
      • Prince Leopold (the Prince's great-nephew)
      • Prince Nikolai (the Prince's great-nephew)
  • The Dowager Marchioness of Mariño (the Prince's sister)
  • Prince Andreas and Princess Silvia[9] (the Prince's first cousin and first cousin in-law)
    • Prince Stefan (the Prince's first cousin once removed)
    • Prince Christian (the Prince's first cousin once removed)
    • Prince Emanuel (the Prince's first cousin once removed)
  • Prince Gregor[10] (the Prince's first cousin)
  • Princess Maria-Pia of Liechtenstein (the Prince's first cousin)
  • Princess Katharina of Liechtenstein (the Prince's first cousin)
  • Princess Birgitta of Liechtenstein (the Prince's first cousin)
  • Princess Maria Elisabeth (the Prince's first cousin)
  • Prince Hubertus Alois (the Prince's first cousin)
    • Prince Leopold (the Prince's first cousin once removed)
  • Princess Marie Therese Eleonore (the Prince's first cousin)
    • Prince Alfred Paolo and Princess Alice Stori (the Prince's second cousin once removed and wife)
      • Princess Emilia Laura (the Prince's second cousin twice-removed)
      • Prince Franz Cosimo (the Prince's second cousin twice-removed)
      • Princess Giulia Marina (the Prince's second cousin twice-removed)
    • Prince Lukas Wolfgang and Princess Nathalie (the Prince's second cousin once-removed and wife)
      • Princess Nora Manureva (the Prince's second cousin twice-removed)
      • Princess Lucie Louise (the Prince's second cousin twice-removed)
    • Princess Livia Margherita (the Prince's second cousin once-removed)
  • Princess Annemarie (the Prince's second cousin's widow)
    • Prince Emanuel and Princess Sonja Maria (the Prince's second cousin once-removed and wife)
      • Prince Leopold (the Prince's second cousin twice-removed)
      • Prince Heinrich (the Prince's second cousin twice-removed)
      • Princess Charlotte (the Prince's second cousin twice-removed)
    • Prince Ulrich (the Prince's second cousin once-removed)
  • Prince Anton and Princess Rosmarie (the Prince's second cousin and wife)
    • Princess Ludmilla (the Prince's second cousin once-removed)
    • Prince Georg Clemens (the Prince's second cousin once-removed)
  • Prince Eugen and Princess Maria Theresia (the Prince's second cousin and wife)
    • Prince Johannes and Princess Kinga (the Prince's second cousin once-removed and wife)
    • Princess Anna Theodora Maria (the Prince's second cousin once-removed)
    • Princess Marie Ileana Josefa (the Prince's second cousin once-removed)
  • Prince Albrecht Johannes (the Prince's second cousin)
    • Prince Albrecht Johannes Christoph (the Prince's second cousin once-removed)
    • Princess Lorenza (the Prince's second cousin once-removed)
  • Princess Barbara Eleonora Marie of Yugoslavia (the Prince's second cousin)
  • Princess Monica Maria Theresia Elisabeth (the Prince's second cousin)
  • Princess Clotilde (the Prince's first cousin once-removed's widow)
  • Princess Diemut Margarete Maria (the Prince's second cousin)
  • Prince Gundakar and Princess Marie (the Prince's second cousin and second cousin-in-law)
    • Princess Leopoldine (the Prince's second cousin once-removed)
    • Princess Marie Immaculée (the Prince's second cousin once-removed)
    • Prince Johann and Princess Felicitas (the Prince's second cousin once-removed and wife)
      • Princess Josefine (the Prince's second cousin twice-removed)
    • Princess Margarete (the Prince's second cousin once-removed)
    • Prince Gabriel (the Prince's second cousin once-removed)
  • Prince Alfred Heinrich and Princess Raffaella (the Prince's second cousin and wife)
  • Princess Adelgunde Maria Anna Therese (the Prince's second cousin)
  • Prince Karl Emmeran (the Prince's second cousin)
  • Princess Maria Eleonore (the Prince's second cousin)
  • Prince Hugo Karl August (the Prince's second cousin)
    • Princess Maria Aurelia Margarethe (the Prince's second cousin once-removed)
  • Princess Roberta (the Prince's second cousin's widow)
  • Prince Michael Karl and Princess Hildegard (the Prince's second cousin and wife)
    • Princess Therese Maria (the Prince's second cousin once-removed)
    • Princess Gisela Maria (the Prince's second cousin once-removed)
  • Princess Charlotte (the Prince's second cousin)
  • Prince Christof (the Prince's second cousin)
  • Prince Karl Maria (the Prince's second cousin)
    • Prince Stefan and Princess Florentine (the Prince's fifth cousin once-removed and fifth cousin-in-law once-removed)
    • Prince Lukas (the Prince's fifth cousin twice-removed)
    • Prince Konrad (the Prince's fifth cousin twice-removed)
    • Princess Anna (the Prince's fifth cousin twice-removed)
    • Princess Rita (the Prince's fifth cousin twice-removed)

Tree list

Below are all male and male-line dynastic descendants of Johann I Joseph, Prince of Liechtenstein. The numbers represent the positions in the line of succession.

  • Prince Johann I Josef (1760–1836)
    • Prince Alois II (1796–1858)
      • Prince Johann II (1840–1929)
      • Prince Franz I (1853–1938)
    • Prince Franz de Paula (1802–1887)
      • Prince Alfred (1842–1907)
        • Prince Franz (1868–1929)
        • Prince Alois (1869–1955)
          • Prince Franz Josef II (1906–1989)
            • Prince Hans-Adam II (born 1945)
            • (9) Prince Philipp (born 1946)
              • (10) Prince Alexander (born 1972)
              • (11) Prince Wenzeslaus (born 1974)
              • (12) Prince Rudolf (born 1975)
                • (13) Prince Karl Ludwig (born 2016)
            • (14) Prince Nikolaus (born 1947)
              • Prince Leopold (1984)
              • (15) Prince Josef-Emanuel (born 1989)
                • (16) Prince Leopold (born 2023)
                • (17) Prince Nikolai (born 2025)
            • Prince Franz Josef "Wenzel" (1962–1991)
          • Prince Karl Alfred (1910–1985)
            • Prince Dominik (1950–2009)
            • (18) Prince Andreas (born 1952)
            • (19) Prince Gregor (born 1954)
          • Prince Georg Hartmann (1911–1998)
            • (20) Prince Christoph (born 1958)
          • Prince Ulrich Dietmar (1913–1978)
          • Prince Alois Heinrich (1917–1967)
          • Prince Heinrich Hartneid (1920–1993)
            • (21) Prince Hubertus (born 1971)
        • Prince Johannes (1873–1959)
          • Prince Alfred (1907–1991)
            • Prince Franz (1935–2026)
              • (22) Prince Alfred (born 1972)
                • (23) Prince Franz (born 2009)
              • (24) Prince Lukas (born 1974)
            • Prince Friedrich (1937–2010)
              • (25) Prince Emanuel (born 1978)
                • (26) Prince Leopold (born 2010)
                • (27) Prince Heinrich (born 2012)
              • (28) Prince Ulrich (born 1983)
            • (29) Prince Anton (born 1940)
              • (30) Prince Georg (born 1977)
          • Prince Emanuel (1908–1987)
          • Prince Johannes (1910–1975)
            • (31) Prince Eugen (born 1939)
              • (32) Prince Johannes (born 1969)
            • Prince Albrecht (1940–2017) (took the title of Baron von Lanškroun)
          • Prince Constantin (1911–2001)
        • Prince Alfred Roman (1875–1930)
          • Prince Hans-Moritz (1914–2004)
            • (33) Prince Gundakar (born 1949)
              • (34) Prince Johann (born 1993)
              • (35) Prince Gabriel (born 1998)
            • (36) Prince Alfred (born 1951)
            • (37) Prince Karl (born 1955)
            • (38) Prince Hugo (born 1964)
          • Prince Heinrich (1916–1991)
            • Prince Vincenz (1950–2008)
            • (39) Prince Michael (born 1951)
            • (40) Prince Christof (born 1956)
            • (41) Prince Karl (born 1957)
        • Prince Heinrich (1877–1915)
        • Prince Karl Aloys (1878–1955)
          • Prince Wilhelm (1922–2006) (took the title of Graf von Hohenau), restored his title in 1980
            • (42) Prince Heinrich (born 1964)
          • (43) Prince Wolfgang (born 1934)
            • (44) Prince Leopold (born 1978)
              • (45) Prince Lorenz (born 2012)
        • Prince Georg (Pater Ildefons, O.S.B.) (1880–1931)
      • Prince Aloys (1846–1920)
      • Prince Heinrich (1853–1914)
    • Prince Karl Johann (1803–1871)
      • Prince Rudolf (1833–1888)
      • Prince Philipp (1837–1901)
        • Prince Karl (1862–1893)
        • Prince Joseph (1863)
    • Prince Friedrich (1807–1885)
    • Prince Eduard Franz (1809–1864)
      • Prince Aloys (1840–1885)
        • Prince Friedrich (1871–1959)
          • Prince Aloys (1898–1943)
            • Prince Luitpold (1940–2016)
              • Prince Friedrich (1970)
              • (46) Prince Carl (born 1978)
          • Prince Alfred (1900–1972)
            • Prince Alexander (1929–2012)
              • (47) Prince Christian (born 1961)
                • (48) Prince Augustinus (born 1992)
                • (49) Prince Johannes (born 1995)
                • (50) Prince Archer (born 2004)
              • (51) Prince Stefan (born 1961)
                • (52) Prince Lukas (born 1990)
                • (53) Prince Konrad (born 1992)
              • (54) Prince Emanuel (born 1964)
                • (55) Prince Josef (born 1998)
            • Prince Franz de Paula (1935–1987)
          • Prince Alexander (1901–1926)
        • Prince Eduard (1872–1951)
          • Prince Johannes (1899–1979)
          • Prince Ferdinand (1901–1981)
    • Prince August (1810–1824)
    • Prince Rudolf (1816–1848)

See also

References

  1. Back to citation Princely House of Liechtenstein. House Laws Archived 2012-06-15 at the Wayback Machine
  2. Back to citation Fürst kämpft um Schlösser und Ländereien in Tschechien (Prince fights for castles and estates in the Czech Republic), 22 Dec 2018
  3. Back to citation Remained lords titled Princes until the purchase of Schellenberg and Vaduz, which, from 1719, became the effective territory of the Princes, and what still remains today as Principality of Liechtenstein.
  4. Back to citation Sometimes numbered Dietrich I
  5. Back to citation Principality of Liechtenstein
  6. Back to citation Raton, Pierre (1970). Liechtenstein: History and Institutions of the Principality. Vaduz: Liechtenstein Verlag. p. 20. ASIN B0006D0J8E.
  7. Back to citation Wanger, Harald (1995). Fürsten von Liechtenstein. Triesen: van Eck. p. 77. ISBN 3-905501-22-8.
  8. Back to citation Principality of Liechtenstein
  9. Back to citation "Prince Andreas of Liechtenstein". Royalpedia. 2025-07-31. Retrieved 2026-02-26.
  10. Back to citation "Prince Gregor of Liechtenstein". Royalpedia. 2025-03-03. Retrieved 2026-02-26.
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