Liechtenstein changes succession rules to allow women to inherit throne

Liechtenstein announced Saturday that it has changed its royal succession rules to allow women to ascend the throne, a shift from centuries of male-only inheritance.

Hereditary Prince Alois made the declaration during the country's National Day celebrations in Vaduz on August 15. The change was approved Wednesday by the necessary two-thirds majority of family members eligible to vote on matters governed by the House Law.

"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."

According to Alois's remarks posted on the princely house's website, the vote allows that "all female descendants of the Princely House will be granted the same participation rights in matters governed by the House Law as male descendants."

The rule change will not affect the current line of succession. Prince Hans-Adam II, who has been the head of the royal family since 1989, will continue to be succeeded by Alois, his first-born child. Alois has carried out most official royal duties over the last two decades.

Liechtenstein, a central European country with a population of approximately 44,000, is one of the world's smallest nations. The change to absolute primogeniture aligns the principality's succession practices with those of several other European monarchies that have adopted similar rules in recent years.