Liechtenstein Changes Succession Rules, Women Gain the Right to the Throne

The Principality of Liechtenstein announced today that it has abolished the rule preventing women from claiming the throne.

The decision was announced by Prince Alois during the Principality’s National Day celebrations, after the family council approved the reform on Wednesday by a two-thirds majority. The system of male-preference primogeniture will be replaced by absolute primogeniture.

The change does not currently affect the direct line of succession. Prince Joseph Wenzel, born in 1995 and the eldest son of Alois and Princess Sophia, remains the heir presumptive.

Under the previous rule, the crown could pass only to male descendants through the male line. Following the reform, future princesses will have the same rights as their brothers to be included in the line of succession. This transforms Liechtenstein from the only active monarchy in Europe that completely excluded women into a system that is even more progressive than Spain’s.

Spain continues to give preference to men over women when they are in the same degree of kinship, and the same principle also applies in Monaco. With this decision, the Alpine principality ends a distinction that had set it apart from Sweden, the Netherlands, Norway, Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg and the United Kingdom, which had changed their succession rules earlier.

The significance of the reform goes beyond symbolism. Succession to the throne is determined not by a law passed by the government or by a popular vote, but by the Princely House’s own law, a centuries-old family regulatory framework with constitutional recognition. For this reason, the initiative was undertaken by the ruling family itself.

The history of the House of Liechtenstein predates that of the state. The family took its name from a castle south of Vienna that it has owned since the 12th century. In 1608, it acquired the title of Prince of the Holy Roman Empire and strengthened its territorial base after acquiring Schellenberg and Vaduz. Then, in 1719, Emperor Charles VI united the two territories into a single principality and recognized its sovereignty.

Alois’ announcement came at a time when protests were taking place in the country over the broad powers he holds as the de facto head of state. He has performed this role since 2004 under the authority of his father, Hans-Adam II, who has officially held the throne since 1989. The constitution allows the prince to appoint judges, dismiss members of the executive branch, grant pardons and veto legislation.

Liechtenstein, a small Central European state between Switzerland and Austria, has a population of more than 40,000. This year, the official ceremony at Vaduz Castle once again upheld the tradition of speeches, toasts, a banquet and traditional music. However, the decision on succession rules was made public at a time when some citizens are questioning the extent of the powers the monarchy should continue to hold, while those of other European royal families have long been limited to representative roles.

Outside Europe, women in the royal families of Jordan and Japan are still unable to ascend the throne.