Liechtenstein Updates Royal Succession Rules to Allow Women On Throne

Sun Sep 06 2026 05:19:24 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Liechtenstein has shifted from male‑to‑female primogeniture, allowing future heirs irrespective of gender.

On its national day, the Principality of Liechtenstein officially changed its succession law to absolute primogeniture, letting a firstborn child inherit the throne regardless of sex. The change does not affect the present heir, Prince Alois, but will apply to his four children. The reform aligns Liechtenstein with broader European monarchies that have adopted gender‑neutral succession, such as Britain in 2011. It underscores the principality’s constitutional monarchy and signals a modern approach to succession amid its limited population of about 44,000 people.

Liechtenstein Updates Royal Succession Rules to Allow Women On Throne

Hundreds of people gather on the slopes below Vaduz Castle on National Day

Liechtenstein has announced that it has changed royal succession rules to allow women to ascend the throne.

The declaration came on the national day of the tiny Central European nation, which has a population of just 44,000.

Prince Hans‑Adam II, the current ruler, has been head of the royal family since 1989. The rule change will not affect his heir, Hereditary Prince Alois, who was his firstborn son.

Alois has carried out most official royal duties for the last two decades.

"The order of succession is being changed from male primogeniture to absolute primogeniture," the House of Liechtenstein said in a statement. "This means that in future the first‑born child, regardless of sex, will become heir to the throne and later princess or prince of Liechtenstein."

The change will not affect the current succession line but will apply to the descendants of Alaol’s four children and their spouses.

In a statement, Alois said: "With this change in the law, we want to ensure that both the Principality of Liechtenstein and the Princely House are led by the person who has been best prepared for this responsibility."

Liechtenstein is a doubly land‑locked country tucked between Switzerland and Austria, and its ruler enjoys sweeping political powers, unlike many of his European counterparts.

Britain had already adopted absolute primogeniture in 2011, allowing first‑born daughters of a monarch to inherit the throne.