The Principality of Liechtenstein is the last independent principality of the Holy Roman Empire. After the fall of the empire, Liechtenstein aligned itself with Austria-Hungary until the end of World War I. Since that time, Liechtenstein has been most closely aligned with its neutral neighbor Switzerland. The honours system of Liechtenstein is made up of an order of merit, established in 1937, and a limited number of commemorative medals that were awarded during the 20th century. [1]
Liechtenstein, officially the Principality of Liechtenstein, is a doubly landlocked German-speaking microstate in the Central European Alps, between Austria in the east and north and Switzerland in the west and south. Liechtenstein is a semi-constitutional monarchy headed by the prince of Liechtenstein of the House of Liechtenstein, currently led by Hans-Adam II. It is Europe's fourth-smallest country, with an area of just over 160 square kilometres and a population of 40,023. It is the world's smallest country to border two countries, and is one of the few countries with no debt.
Political identity came to the territory now occupied by the Principality of Liechtenstein in 814, with the formation of the subcountry of Lower Rhætia. Liechtenstein's borders have remained unchanged since 1434, when the Rhine established the border between the Holy Roman Empire and the Swiss cantons.
Hans-Adam II is the Prince of Liechtenstein. He is the son of Prince Franz Joseph II and his wife, Countess Georgina von Wilczek. He also bears the titles Duke of Troppau and Jägerndorf, and Count of Rietberg. Under his reign, a 2003 constitutional referendum expanded the powers of the Prince of Liechtenstein. In 2004, Hans-Adam transferred day-to-day governmental duties to his eldest son Hereditary Prince Alois as regent, like his father had granted him in 1984 to prepare him for the role.
Franz Joseph II was the reigning Prince of Liechtenstein from 25 July 1938 until his death in November 1989.
Countess Marie Aglaë Bonaventura Theresia Kinsky von Wchinitz und Tettau was Princess of Liechtenstein from 13 November 1989 until her death in 2021 as the wife of Prince Hans-Adam II. By birth, she was a member of the House of Kinsky.
Same-sex marriage will soon be legal in Liechtenstein. In November 2022, the Landtag passed a motion calling on the government to introduce a bill legalizing same-sex marriage, with broad support from across the political spectrum. A bill legalizing same-sex marriage was introduced in February 2024 and passed its final reading in the Landtag on 16 May 2024 by a 24–1 vote. It received royal assent from Prince Alois on 9 July 2024, and is scheduled to enter into force on 1 January 2025. Polling suggests that a majority of Liechtensteiners support the legal recognition of same-sex marriage.
Princess Norberta of Liechtenstein, Marchioness of Mariño, popularly known as Princess Nora, is a member of Liechtenstein princely family. She is the fourth child and only daughter of Franz Joseph II, Prince of Liechtenstein and his wife Georgina von Wilczek, and the younger sister of Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein.
Prince Constantin of Liechtenstein, known professionally as Constantin Liechtenstein, was a member of the Princely House of Liechtenstein, and a businessman. He was the third son of Prince Hans-Adam II and his wife, Countess Marie Kinsky of Wchinitz and Tettau. He was the chief executive officer of the LGT Group from 2020 to 2023.
Prince Maximilian of Liechtenstein, Count of Rietberg, known professionally as Max von Liechtenstein, is a Liechtensteiner prince and businessman. He is the second son of Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein and his wife, Countess Marie Kinsky of Wchinitz and Tettau.
Prince Nikolaus of Liechtenstein is a Liechtensteiner lawyer, diplomat and prince. He is a younger brother of the reigning prince of Liechtenstein, Hans-Adam II. He was also the non-resident Ambassador of Liechtenstein to the Holy See.
Prince Joseph Wenzel of Liechtenstein, Count of Rietberg is the eldest child of Alois, Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein, and his wife, Duchess Sophie Elizabeth Marie Gabrielle in Bavaria, He is also the eldest grandchild of the current ruling prince of Liechtenstein, Hans-Adam II, and Countess Marie Kinsky of Wchinitz and Tettau.
Princess Angela of Liechtenstein, Countess of Rietberg is a Panamanian-American fashion designer and member of the Liechtenstein princely family. Born in Panama and raised in the United States, Angela became the first woman of primarily African descent to marry into a reigning European dynasty. She married Prince Maximilian of Liechtenstein in January 2000 and the couple has a son, Prince Alfons, who is sixth in the line of succession to the Liechtensteiner throne.
Alexander Frick was a political figure from Liechtenstein who served as Prime Minister of Liechtenstein from 1945 to 1962.
The Order of Merit of the Principality of Liechtenstein is an order of merit of the Principality of Liechtenstein that is awarded for services rendered to the principality. Franz I, Prince of Liechtenstein founded the Order of Merit of the Principality of Liechtenstein on 22 July 1937.
The House Order of Hohenzollern was a dynastic order of knighthood of the House of Hohenzollern awarded to military commissioned officers and civilians of comparable status. Associated with the various versions of the order were crosses and medals which could be awarded to lower-ranking soldiers and civilians.
Georgina Norberta Jane Marie Antonie Raphaela von Wilczek was Princess of Liechtenstein from 1943 to 1989 as the wife of Prince Franz Joseph II. She was the mother of Prince Hans-Adam II and was widely known as Gina.
Prince Alfons of Bavaria was a member of the Bavarian Royal House of Wittelsbach and a General of Cavalry.
Alois, Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein is the eldest son of Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein, and Countess Marie Kinsky von Wchinitz und Tettau, and the heir apparent to the throne of Liechtenstein. Alois has been regent of the country since 15 August 2004, while his father remains the official head of state.
This is an index of Liechtenstein related topics.
Carl Josef Anton von In der Maur auf Strelburg und zu Freifeld was an Austrian aristocrat and statesman who twice served in the court of Johann II as the Governor of Liechtenstein from 1884 until 1892 and again from 1897 until 1913.
