Liechtenstein has allowed women to inherit the throne after centuries of male primacy — AFP
On August 15, the Princely House of Liechtenstein announced a historic change to the rules of succession—from now on, a child may become the first in line to the throne regardless of gender. At the same time, the new rules will apply only to the future descendants of Crown Prince Alois and will not alter the current line of succession.
This announcement was made on the national holiday of this small country.
“The order of succession is changing from primogeniture through the male line 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,” reads the statement from the House of Liechtenstein.
This announcement granted women equal rights to claim the throne.
Liechtenstein is a constitutional monarchy. Prince Hans-Adam II has been head of state since 1989, although since 2004 most official duties have been performed by his son Alois, the Crown Prince and Regent.
“With this change in the law, we aim to ensure that both the Principality of Liechtenstein and the Princely House are led by the person best prepared for this responsibility,” Alois noted in a statement.
Alois and his wife Sophie, the Hereditary Princess, have four children, the eldest of whom—Joseph Wenzel Maximilian Maria—was born in 1995.
Originally from Lower Austria, the Princes of Liechtenstein acquired the County of Vaduz and the Lordship of Schellenberg in 1699 and 1712, respectively. In 1719, these two territories were united and elevated to the status of an imperial principality.
This was reported by AFP.
Earlier, Ukraine opened an honorary consulate in Liechtenstein.
In Liechtenstein, hackers stole data from 31,000 companies.
