A piece of land in the Alpine mountains, located between Switzerland and Austria, is almost the name of the possession of one of the oldest families in Europe. For the past twenty-eight years, Lichtenstein has been ruled by Hans-Adam II - a brilliant financier, an outstanding politician, a principled person. It is about him that we will speak.
Origin of Hans-Adam II
The reigning prince of Liechtenstein was born on February 14, 1945, by Franz Joseph II and Countess Gina (Dahlias, Gina) von Widczek (Wilzek). The prince's father ruled Lichtenstein for more than fifty years and was one of the few monarchs of the twentieth century who did not leave the territory of their country throughout the duration of the reign. Mother Hans-Adam II belonged to the Czech princely-count family. Later, four more children were born in the family: Prince Philip, Prince Nikolaus of Lichtenstein, Princess Norbert and Franz Joseph Wenceslasaus.
A Brief History of the Liechtenstein House
Hans-Adam became heir by birth. The history of the Liechtenstein house to which it belongs dates back to the twelfth century. At first, the clan was headed by not very principled individuals who changed religion and political views, depending on what was more profitable at one time or another.
At the beginning of the seventeenth century, one of the representatives of the house received the title of Crown Prince, but at first all privileges and high ranks existed only on paper. The Principality of Liechtenstein was proclaimed in 1719, it was located in the territories that one of the heirs of the title acquired.
For almost two centuries, the small principality simply had no idea how to properly manage its independence. A constitution was adopted, a constitutional monarchy was organized. At first, several rulers changed, and only Franz Joseph II, who enjoyed popular love, could gain a foothold on the throne.
Education and career start
The son of Franz Joseph II, Prince Hans-Adam II, first studied at a regular secondary school in Vaduz, then was transferred to the Schottengymnasium in Vienna. He graduated from a lecture course at Zuoz, entered the commercial university in Switzerland. Hans-Adam II was an intern at several London banks. He is fluent in English and French (except German, which is the prince’s mother tongue).
Empowerment
Already at twenty-seven, Hans-Adam II, whose biography is described in our review, became the financial head of Liechtenstein. He quickly turned a disparate principality into a successful financial corporation. At the beginning of the twenty-first century, precisely because of this, a real international scandal erupted.
The cause of the scandal was terrorist organizations, which allegedly receive money through Liechtenstein, and criminal groups that "launder" funds through a small principality. Hans-Adam II immediately tried to put pressure on the government to initiate an investigation. The government, of course, refused. The refusal was explained by the fact that the expansion of the prince's powers is a step back, a step towards an absolute monarchy, which has remained a relic of the past. Then the prince, who at the beginning of the reign was not allowed to rewrite the constitution in order to expand the powers of the monarch, decided on a scandal.
Prince of Liechtenstein, Hans-Adam II, then publicly declared that if members of the government did not listen to him, he would move to a neighboring country. Naturally, he will relocate with the family and all financial capitals. The total capital of the monarchy’s family is estimated at five billion dollars, and for such a small country, leaving such an important amount of the economy would probably cause political death. The long-awaited popular referendum, which greatly expanded the powers of the prince, took place in 2003.
Political Transformation
Hans-Adam II (pictured) became the fifteenth ruling monarch of Liechtenstein on November 13, 1989, having received the right to take the throne from his father, Prince Franz Joseph II.
According to the constitution, the prince is the head of state. He represents the country in foreign policy (but for the conclusion of international treaties the consent of the government is still necessary) and has the right to pardon, appoints the head and four members of the government. The signature of Hans-Adam II is necessary for the entry into force of normative acts that have been put forward by deputies. The prince also holds the opening and closing ceremonies of parliamentary sessions, making a solemn speech, has the right to dissolve parliament ahead of schedule.
Hans-Adam II equalized women with men in rights (the country remained the last in Europe, where the fair sex did not have voting rights), spoke out for the membership of the principality in the UN (the country became a member of the UN in 1990). Hans repeatedly emphasized that even such small countries (like Liechtenstein) can and should actively participate in international relations, contributing to the preservation of peace and cooperation between countries.
The wife of Prince Liechtenstein
In 1967, the prince married Maria Aglaya, descended from the family of Count Kinsky and Countess von Ledeburg-Viheln. She was born in Prague, but in 1945, Maria's family fled the country to Germany, and in 1957 the girl moved to the UK and then to Paris. Mary became the mother of the four children of the prince.
