Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hans-Adam II |
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| Duke of Troppau and Jägerndorf Count of Rietberg |
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Hans-Adam II in 2025
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| Prince of Liechtenstein | |||||
| Reign | 13 November 1989 – present | ||||
| Predecessor | Franz Joseph II | ||||
| Heir apparent | Alois | ||||
| Regent | Alois (2004–present) | ||||
| Prime Ministers |
See list
Hans Brunhart
Markus Büchel Mario Frick Otmar Hasler Klaus Tschütscher Adrian Hasler Daniel Risch Brigitte Haas |
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| Born | 14 February 1945 Zürich, Switzerland |
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| Spouse |
Countess Marie Kinsky of Wchinitz and Tettau
(m. 1967; died 2021) |
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| House | Liechtenstein | ||||
| Father | Franz Joseph II, Prince of Liechtenstein | ||||
| Mother | Countess Georgina von Wilczek | ||||
| Religion | Roman Catholic | ||||
Hans-Adam II (born Johannes Adam Ferdinand Alois Josef Maria Marco d'Aviano Pius on February 14, 1945) is the reigning Prince of Liechtenstein. He has been the head of the country since 1989. He is the son of Prince Franz Joseph II and Countess Georgina von Wilczek. Besides being the Prince, he also holds the titles of Duke of Troppau and Jägerndorf, and Count of Rietberg.
During his rule, the people of Liechtenstein voted in a referendum in 2003 to give the prince more power. In 2004, Hans-Adam II passed the daily tasks of governing to his oldest son, Hereditary Prince Alois. This made Alois the regent, which is a person who rules for a monarch. This was done to prepare Alois for his future role as Prince, just as Hans-Adam's father had done for him.
Contents
Early Life and Education
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Hans-Adam II was born on February 14, 1945, in Zürich, Switzerland. He was the oldest son of Prince Franz Joseph II and Princess Gina. Because his father was the ruling prince, Hans-Adam was the hereditary prince (the next in line to rule) from the day he was born. His godfather was Pope Pius XII.
He started his schooling in 1956 at the Schottengymnasium in Vienna, Austria. Later, he moved to a school in Switzerland and graduated in 1965. After school, he worked at a bank in London. He then went to the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland to study business administration, finishing in 1969. He speaks German, English, and French fluently.
In 1984, his father, Prince Franz Joseph II, gave him the power to handle the day-to-day government decisions. This helped prepare him to become the next prince. Hans-Adam II officially became the Prince of Liechtenstein when his father passed away on November 13, 1989.
Reign and Powers
In 2003, a vote was held in Liechtenstein. The people decided to approve changes to the Constitution of Liechtenstein that gave Prince Hans-Adam II more powers. The Prince had said he might step down if the vote did not go in his favor.
On August 15, 2004, Hans-Adam II appointed his son, Hereditary Prince Alois, as his regent. This means Alois handles the daily government work, but Hans-Adam II is still legally the head of state. This is a common way for the ruling family to pass responsibilities to the next generation.
In 2012, another vote was held to see if the people wanted to reduce the political power of the princely family. The people of Liechtenstein voted strongly against this idea, showing their support for the prince's role in government.
Business and Wealth
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Before he became the ruling prince, Hans-Adam II focused on his family's bank, LGT Bank. He helped it grow from a small local bank into a major international financial group. His business success has made him one of the richest monarchs in Europe.
The Prince owns several properties, including Vaduz Castle, which is his main home in Liechtenstein. He also owns castles, palaces, and a winery in Austria. Besides property, the family owns companies in forestry, farming, and even an American rice company called RiceTec.
He also has a large art collection, which was passed down through his family. Many of these artworks are shown to the public at the Liechtenstein Museum in Vienna. The family's wealth is managed by the Prince of Liechtenstein Foundation. This foundation takes care of the family's castles, art, and museums. It also provides an allowance for family members.
His business skills helped him buy back some of the family's art that his father had to sell after World War II. He continues to add new paintings and other art to the collection.
Personal Life
On July 30, 1967, Hans-Adam II married Countess Marie Kinsky of Wchinitz and Tettau. They were married for over 50 years until her death in 2021. They had four children and fifteen grandchildren.
Children
- Alois, Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein (born 1968). He is married to Duchess Sophie in Bavaria. They have four children:
- Prince Joseph Wenzel (born 1995)
- Princess Marie Caroline (born 1996)
- Prince Georg (born 1999)
- Prince Nikolaus (born 2000)
- Maximilian (born 1969). He is married to Angela Brown. They have one son:
- Prince Alfons (born 2001)
- Constantin (1972–2023). He was married to Countess Marie Kálnoky de Kőröspatak. They had three children:
- Prince Moritz (born 2003)
- Princess Georgina (born 2005)
- Prince Benedikt (born 2008)
- Princess Tatjana (born 1973). She is married to Baron Matthias von Lattorff. They have seven children:
- Lukas (born 2000)
- Elisabeth (born 2002)
- Marie Teresa (born 2004)
- Camilla (born 2005)
- Anna (born 2007)
- Sophie (born 2009)
- Maximilian (born 2011)
The Prince is involved in several organizations. In 2000, he donated $12 million to start the Liechtenstein Institute on Self-Determination (LISD) at Princeton University. He was also a member of the Boy Scouts in Liechtenstein and Vienna and is a member of the World Scout Foundation.
Titles and Honours
The Prince's full, official title is: His Serene Highness The Prince of Liechtenstein, Duke of Troppau and Jägerndorf, Count of Rietberg, Sovereign of the House of Liechtenstein.
Throughout his life, he has received many honours and awards from different countries and organizations, including:
- A Knight with Collar of the Order of the Golden Fleece from the Austrian Imperial Family.
- The Grand Star of the Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria.
- Honorary degrees from the University of Innsbruck in Austria and Babeș-Bolyai University in Romania.
See also
In Spanish: Juan Adán II de Liechtenstein para niños
- Line of succession to the Liechtensteiner throne
- List of monarchs of Liechtenstein
- Prince of Liechtenstein Foundation
- Princely Family of Liechtenstein
