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Alois ends male-only
Liechtenstein ended centuries of male-only succession by moving from male primogeniture to absolute primogeniture, with Hereditary Prince Alois announcing the change in his National Day speech.
“Hereditary Prince Alois announced on Friday that the firstborn child will now inherit regardless of gender”
Alois said, "The line of succession will be adjusted from male primogeniture to absolute primogeniture," adding that "in the future, the first-born child will, regardless of sex, become the heir to the throne."
The reform was approved on Wednesday with a two-thirds majority of eligible family members, and it was described as applying only to future descendants of Alois and Princess Sophie's children.
Prince Hans-Adam II remains head of state, though he transferred most powers to Alois in 2004, and Alois’s eldest child is 31-year-old Prince Joseph Wenzel.
The change places Liechtenstein among European monarchies that have adopted absolute primogeniture, including Sweden, the Netherlands, Norway, Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, and the United Kingdom.
Participation rights for women
Liechtenstein’s royal house said the amendment grants female descendants the same participation rights in House Law matters as male descendants, and it framed the shift as a change in the order of succession.
Alois told citizens, "all female descendants of the Princely House will be granted the same participation rights in matters governed by the House Law as male descendants," and he added, "That means that in the future, the first-born child will, regardless of sex, become the heir to the throne."
The rule change was also described as not affecting the top of the line of succession in the immediate future, with Prince Hans-Adam II still head of state while most powers were handed to Alois in 2004.
CBS News reported that Liechtenstein is a wealthy nation of 40,000 people that borders Switzerland and Austria, and it said the ruling prince has the power to veto referendum results, appoint judges and fire the government.
The BBC and other outlets tied the announcement to Liechtenstein’s National Day timing, while the reform was presented as a shift from male primogeniture to absolute primogeniture rather than a government-initiated change.
Future line, not retroactive
Multiple reports emphasized that the succession change is not retroactive, with the rule applying only to future descendants of Alois and Princess Sophie and leaving existing family members outside the immediate impact.
“It applies only to future descendants of Alois and Princess Sophie's children”
upday News said, "It applies only to future descendants of Alois and Princess Sophie's children," and it added that Princess Marie Caroline, born in 1996, will not become eligible for succession under the new law.
The Straits Times reported that the House of Liechtenstein said, "The order of succession is being changed from male primogeniture to absolute primogeniture," and it described the purpose as ensuring the principality and the Princely House are led by the person best prepared.
The same Straits Times account said Prince Hans‑Adam II has been head of state since 1989, while Alois has carried out most official duties since 2004, and it placed Alois and Sophie as parents of four children.
With the immediate line unchanged, the practical effect was described as future generations potentially including firstborn daughters, while the current heir remained Prince Joseph Wenzel, the eldest of Alois’s four children.
