Recently, Their Serene Highnesses Hereditary Prince Alois and Hereditary Princess Sophie of Liechtenstein hosted the traditional New Year’s reception held at Vaduz Castle. Over 580 guests attended the event along with Prince Hans-Adam II and Princess Marie of Liechtenstein. During the reception the princely family mingled with local dignitaries as well as ordinary people.
Source: Vaterland
On December 21, 2011, His Serene Highness Prince Hans-Adam II of Liechtenstein participated in the 2011 Light of Peace From Bethlehem ceremony held at the Mauren Pfarrkirche in Vaduz, Liechtenstein. To view photos please click here.
Meanwhile, Their Serene Highnesses Princess Marie and Hereditary Princess Sophie of Liechtenstein visited the St. Lawrence Nursing Home in Schaan. During their visit they presented gifts as well as mingled with the residents. To view photos please click here.
Source and photo courtesy of Volksblatt
Earlier this month CNN’s Richard Quest sat down with H.S.H. Hereditary Prince Alois of Liechtenstein regarding the country’s reputation as a “tax haven”. Click the link below to watch the interview as well as to read an article.
On September 26, 2011, H.S.H. the Hereditary Prince Alois of Liechtenstein met with leaders from Austria, Germany, and Switzerland at their annual meeting at Vaduz castle in Liechtenstein.
According to the newspaper, Volksblatt, the theme of this afternoon’s meeting was education. During a brief press conference Prince Alois spoke of the importance for Liechtenstein to maintain close relations with other German-speaking countries. With regards to education, the Austrian Prime Minister, Heinz Fischer, noted the importance of education in the German-speaking countries and the German Prime Minister, Christian Wulff agreed… as he should.
Video of the German leaders on their way to Vaduz Castle.
Source and photo courtesy of: Volksblatt
On August 15, 2011, the tiny country of Liechtenstein celebrated its National Day. In attendance were Prince Hans-Adam II and his wife Princess Marie along with Prince Alois, Princess Sophie, Prince Constantin, Princess Marie and other members of the princely family. Unfortunately, this year Princess Angela and Prince Maximilian were not in attendance (at least I haven’t seen them).
To watch several videos from today please click the links below:
Source: Volksblatt
On February 28, 2011, HSH Prince Hans-Adam of Liechtenstein received the Ambassador of Malta, Maximilian Turnauer, at Schloss Vaduz in Liechtenstein.
The purpose of Mr. Turnauer’s visit was to receive the “…Grand Cross of the Princely Liechtenstein Order of Merit, for his contribution to the country of Liechtenstein…”
To view photos from the event please click the link: Vaterland.li
On February 14, 1945, HSH Prince Johannes (Hans) Adam Ferdinand Alois Josef Maria Marko d’Aviano Pius von und zu Liechtenstein was born in Zurich, Switzerland to HSH Prince Francis Joseph II and HSH Princess Georgine “Gina” Norberte Johanna Franziska Antonie Marie Raphaela von Wilczek.
Besides speaking four languages fluently, the dashing Prince is highly educated. In 1969, he graduated from the University of St. Gellen in Switzerland with a Bachelor of Arts in Business and Economics.
In 1967, HSH The Hereditary Prince Hans-Adam married Countess Marie Aglaë Kinsky of Wchinitz and Tettau in Vaduz, Liechtenstein. The couple eventually had four children, and today they are proud grandparents of fourteen.
On November 13, 1989, Hans-Adam II ascended to the throne and became the Sovereign Prince of Liechtenstein. With a head for business, HSH Prince Hans-Adam is the wealthiest ruler in Europe having amassed a personal fortune over 12.1 billion US dollars (9 billion Euros.)
In 2009, HSH Prince Hans-Adam published a book entitled, The State in the Third Millennium, whereupon he discusses the issue of:
...the centrality of democracy in the modern nation-state and makes the case for limited government: ‘[The United States and Europe] have to free the state from all the unnecessary tasks and burdens with which it has been loaded during the last hundred years, which have distracted it from its two main tasks: maintenance of the rule of law and foreign policy.’ Using the examples of China and Russia to illustrate the difficulty of transitioning from dictatorships to democracy, he asserts the primacy of establishing economic freedom. Finally, he speaks to the importance of America maintaining its preeminent role in world affairs. (Hoover Institution, Stanford University)
I haven’t read the book, but after watching a lengthy interview with the Prince I must say that I am intrigued with his thesis. To watch the interview with HSH Prince Hans-Adam please click the link: An Interview with HSH Prince Hans-Adam II of Liechtenstein
Any way, Happy 66th Birthday to Prince Hans-Adam. You’re awesome!
The Royal Correspondent 