Women who were passed over – Liechtenstein

The Principality of Liechtenstein is the only European monarchy which completely bars women from the throne. So, how many women missed out on being a reigning princess due to this rule?

Princess Anna Maria of Liechtenstein (1601 – 1640)

Karl I became the first Prince of Liechtenstein in 1608. He and his wife, Anna Maria Šemberová of Boskovice and Černá Hora and Aussee, had three surviving children. His youngest child, Karl Eusebius, succeeded him in 1627. His eldest daughter, Princess Anna Maria, was thus passed over. She married Maximilian, Prince of Dietrichstein, in 1618. They had thirteen children together, including a daughter named Johanna Beatrix, who married her cousin Karl Eusebius. Princess Anna Maria died on  6 November 1655.

Princess Eleonora Maria of Liechtenstein (1647 – 1704)

Karl Eusebius, Prince of Liechtenstein and his wife and cousin, Johanna Beatrix, had nine children together, of which several died young. He was succeeded by his youngest child, who became Hans-Adam I, Prince of Liechtenstein. His eldest surviving child was Princess Eleonora Maria. She was born on 15 May 1647. On 4 July 1666, she married Prince Johann Seyfried von Eggenberg, and they had four children together. She died on 4 August 1703.

Princess Maria Elisabeth of Liechtenstein (1683 – 1744)

Hans-Adam I, Prince of Liechtenstein and his wife, Princess Edmunda Maria of Dietrichstein-Nikolsburg, had seven children together but their two sons both predeceased their father without leaving any heirs. Their eldest daughter was Princess Maria Elisabeth. She was born on 8 May 1683. On 3 May 1715, she married the future Leopold, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Wiesenburg, and they had five daughters together. She died on 4 May 1744. Her father was succeeded by a distant cousin who became Joseph Wenzel I, Prince of Liechtenstein.

Princess Leopoldina of Liechtenstein (1754 – 1823)

Joseph Wenzel I, Prince of Liechtenstein, had no surviving children, and he was succeeded by his nephew, who became Franz Joseph I, Prince of Liechtenstein. Franz Joseph and his wife, Leopoldine von Sternberg, had eight children together, though not all survived to adulthood. He was succeeded by his eldest surviving son, who became Aloys I, Prince of Liechtenstein. His eldest surviving child was Princess Leopoldina, who was born on 30 January 1754. On 1 September 1771, Leopoldina married Charles Emmanuel, Landgrave of Hesse-Rotenburg, and they had two children together. She died on 16 October 1823.

Princess Marie Franziska of Liechtenstein (1834 – 1909)

Aloys II, Prince of Liechtenstein and his wife, Countess Franziska Kinsky of Wchinitz and Tettau, had 11 children together, nine daughters and two sons. One daughter died as a teenager. Aloys II was succeeded by his sixth child and eldest son, who became Johann II, Prince of Liechtenstein. Aloys II’s eldest child was Princess Marie Franziska. She was born on 20 September 1834. On 29 October 1860, she married Count Ferdinand of Trauttmansdorff-Weinsberg, and they had six children together. She died on 1 December 1909.