Archive · 15 Aug 2026
Liechtenstein Opens Royal Succession to Women for First Time
Liechtenstein is a very small country in Europe, with about 40,000 people, located between Switzerland and Austria.
It is ruled by a prince, and one royal family—the princely house—has been in charge for centuries.
For a very long time, the rules said that only the first-born boy could become the next ruler.
Now, the royal family has voted to change those rules.
Hereditary Prince Alois, who runs most of the country today, announced the change during the country's national day celebration.
Under the new rule, the first-born child will become the heir to the throne whether they are a boy or a girl.
This means that for the first time in the country's centuries-long history, a woman could become princess or prince of Liechtenstein.
The change will not affect who is next in line right now, because the next heir is 31-year-old Prince Joseph Wenzel.
Liechtenstein was also the last country in Europe to let women vote in national elections—that only happened in 1984.
Last year, Brigitte Haas became the country's first female prime minister, so this change is another step toward treating women equally.
Liechtenstein's royal house is switching succession from male primogeniture to absolute primogeniture, allowing women to inherit the throne for the first time in centuries.
Hereditary Prince Alois announced the rule change in his national day speech, after it was approved Wednesday by a two-thirds majority of voting family members.
Under the new rule the first-born child, regardless of sex, will become heir to the throne; Prince Alois said the top of the succession line is unaffected in the immediate future.
Prince Hans-Adam II remains head of state but handed most powers to his eldest son, Alois, now 58, in 2004; Alois' eldest child is 31-year-old Prince Joseph Wenzel.
Liechtenstein, a monarchy unusually powerful by European standards, was the last European country to let women vote (1984) and last year named Brigitte Haas its first female prime minister.
- Who
- Hereditary Prince Alois, who announced the change on behalf of Liechtenstein's princely house; the decision was approved by royal family members eligible to vote.
- What
- The line of succession is being changed from male primogeniture to absolute primogeniture, meaning the first-born child, regardless of sex, will become heir to Liechtenstein's throne.
- When
- Announced Saturday in Prince Alois's national day speech; approved Wednesday by a two-thirds majority of voting family members.
- Where
- Liechtenstein, a principality of about 40,000 people bordering Switzerland and Austria.
- Why
- To combine continuity and renewal, in line with the princely house's tradition of long-term, well-thought-out decisions and the country's gradual expansion of women's rights.
- Country
- Liechtenstein (population about 40,000)
- Succession Change
- From male primogeniture to absolute primogeniture
- New Rule
- First-born child inherits the throne regardless of sex
- Approval
- Two-thirds majority of voting royal family members, Wednesday
- Announcement
- Hereditary Prince Alois, national day speech on Saturday
- Head of State
- Prince Hans-Adam II (most powers held by Alois since 2004)
- Current Heir
- Prince Joseph Wenzel, 31, eldest of Alois' four children
- Women's Milestones
- Voting rights in 1984 (last in Europe); first female PM Brigitte Haas last year