Liechtenstein ends male-only succession to royal throne

Liechtenstein’s royal house has announced that it will change its rules of succession, allowing female members of the princely family to inherit the throne in the future.

Hereditary Prince Alois announced the change in a speech marking the country’s national day on August 15, as European media outlets reported. 

The royal stated that the reform was approved on Wednesday by the required two-thirds majority of family members entitled to vote on such matters.

According to a transcript of his remarks published on the princely house’s website, Alois said the vote meant that "all female descendants of the Princely House will be granted the same participation rights in matters governed by the House Law as male descendants."

"The line of succession will be adjusted from male primogeniture to absolute primogeniture," Alois said. "That means that in the future, the first-born child will, regardless of sex, become the heir to the throne and later the princess or prince of Liechtenstein."

The change is not expected to affect the top of the line of succession in the immediate future.

Succession remains with male heirs for now

Prince Hans-Adam II remains Liechtenstein’s head of state, although he handed most of his powers to Alois, his eldest son, in 2004. Alois, who is now 58, assumed those responsibilities in line with a tradition among Liechtenstein’s monarchs of transferring governing powers to their heirs before formally leaving the throne.

The eldest of Alois’ four children is 31-year-old Prince Joseph Wenzel, who remains first in line to the throne under the current succession order.

Under the new system, however, the eldest child of a future heir would inherit the throne regardless of gender.

Despite its modest size, Liechtenstein is a wealthy Alpine nation of around 40,000 people situated between Switzerland and Austria. Its monarchy has unusually extensive powers by European standards.

The reigning prince has the authority to veto the results of referendums, appoint judges and dismiss the government.

The country has traditionally been socially conservative. In 1984, it became the last European country to grant women the right to vote in national elections, after male voters narrowly approved the change in a referendum backed by Hans-Adam II.

Liechtenstein appointed its first female prime minister last year, when Brigitte Haas took office.

By Nazrin Sadigova