Hereditary Prince Alois von Liechtenstein
Prince Alois, the eldest son of the Prince Hans Adam and Princess Marie von Liechtenstein was born on 11 June 1968 in Zurich and was given the names Alois Philipp Maria. The newly born Prince received his first name in memory of his great grandfather Prince Alois von Liechtenstein, the father of the reigning Prince at that time, Franz Josef II.
Prince Alois spent his youth at Vaduz Castle, together with his parents, brothers and sister, and grandparents. He attended the primary school in Vaduz-Ebenholz and entered the Liechtenstein Grammar School in 1979. He passed the Matura examination in the spring of 1987. Subsequently, he entered the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, Great Britain, where he completed his officer's training. On receiving his commission as second lieutenant, he served for six months in the Coldstream Guards in Hong Kong and London.
In October 1988, Prince Alois enrolled as a student of jurisprudence at Salzburg University. He completed the four-year course (1993 - 1996) with a master's degree.
As the eldest son of the reigning Prince, Hereditary Prince Alois is destined to be the successor to the throne, in accordance with the laws of the House of Liechtenstein. For this reason he has been prepared since early childhood for his future office as Head of State. His father assumed control as deputy of the Ruling Prince, Franz Josef II on 26 August 1984. As his deputy, he required his son at an early stage to attend political discussions and deliberations with representatives of the Government and entrusted him with representational duties. This was formalised with Prince Hans Adam II transferring all his powers to Prince Alois in 2004.
On 15 August 1990, on the occasion of the declaration of allegiance, Prince Hans Adam II and Hereditary Prince Alois jointly swore to uphold the Constitution. On 3rd July 1993, His Serene Highness (HSH) Hereditary Prince Alois of Liechtenstein was married to Her Royal Highness (HRH) Duchess Sophie of Bavaria.
Owing to the stay abroad of the Royal Couple, their first child was born on 24 May 1995 in London; he was given the names Joseph Wenzel Maximilian Maria. Princess Marie Caroline Elizabeth Immaculata was born in Grabs (Switzerland) in 1996, with Prince Georg Antonius Constantin Maria, born in 1999; and Prince Nikolaus Sebastian Alexander Maria, born in 2000.
The private interests of the Hereditary Prince centre on sport, especially tennis and skiing. Politics, history, art and science are other fields in which he has a keen interest.
Karl I - Karl Eusebius - Hans Adam I - Anton Florian - Josef I - Johann Nepomuk - Josef Wenzel - Franz Josef I - Alois I - Johann I - Alois II - Johann II - Franz - Franz Josef II - Hans Adam II - The Future - CP Alois