View source for Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein

{{Short description|Prince of Liechtenstein since 1989}}
{{EngvarB|date=November 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox royalty
| title        = [[Duke of Troppau]] and [[Duchy of Krnov|Jägerndorf]]<br/>[[Count of Rietberg]]
| name         = Hans-Adam II
| image        = Hans-Adam II 2025 (cropped).jpg
| caption      = Hans-Adam in 2025
| alt          = A photo of Hans-Adam II aged 80
| succession   = [[Prince of Liechtenstein]]
| reign        = 13 November 1989 – present
| predecessor  = [[Franz Joseph II, Prince of Liechtenstein|Franz Joseph II]]
| suc-type     = [[Heir apparent]]
| successor    = [[Alois, Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein|Alois]]
| regent       = Alois ({{abbr|2004|15 August 2004}}–present)
| succession1  = [[List of regents# Liechtenstein|Regent of Liechtenstein]]
| reign1       = 26 August 1984 – 13 November 1989
| reign-type1  = Regency
| regent1      = Franz Joseph II
| reg-type1    = Monarch
| birth_date   = {{birth date and age|1945|2|14|df=y}}
| birth_place  = [[Zürich]], Switzerland
| death_date   = 
| death_place  = 
| spouse       = {{marriage|[[Countess Marie Kinsky of Wchinitz and Tettau]]|30 July 1967|21 August 2021|reason=d}}
| issue        = {{plainlist|
*[[Alois, Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein]]
*[[Prince Maximilian of Liechtenstein|Prince Maximilian]]
*[[Prince Constantin of Liechtenstein|Prince Constantin]]
*Princess Tatjana}}
| full name    = Johannes Adam Ferdinand Alois Josef Maria Marco d'Aviano Pius
| house        = [[House of Liechtenstein|Liechtenstein]]
| father       = [[Franz Joseph II, Prince of Liechtenstein]]
| mother       = [[Countess Georgina von Wilczek]]
| religion     = [[Roman Catholic]]
}}
'''Hans-Adam II''' (Johannes Adam Ferdinand Alois Josef Maria Marco d'Aviano Pius; born 14 February 1945) is the [[Prince of Liechtenstein]], reigning since 1989. He is the son of [[Prince Franz Joseph II]] and his wife, [[Countess Georgina von Wilczek]]. He also bears the titles [[Duchy of Troppau|Duke of Troppau and Jägerndorf]], and [[Count of Rietberg]]. Under his reign, a [[2003 Liechtenstein constitutional referendum|2003 constitutional referendum]] expanded the powers of the Prince of Liechtenstein. In 2004, Hans-Adam transferred day-to-day governmental duties to his eldest son [[Alois, Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein|Hereditary Prince Alois]] as [[regent]], as his father had done to him in 1984 to prepare him for the role of Prince.<ref>{{Cite web |title=IFES Election Guide {{!}} Elections: Liechtenstein Parliamentary Mar 11 2005 |url=https://www.electionguide.org/elections/id/1407/ |access-date=2023-12-13 |website=www.electionguide.org}}</ref>

==Early life==
[[File:Hans-Adam Prince of Liechtenstein (1974) by Erling Mandelmann.jpg|thumb|Photo by [[Erling Mandelmann]], 1974]]
Hans-Adam II was born on 14 February 1945 in [[Zürich]], [[Switzerland]], as the eldest son of [[Franz Joseph II, Prince of Liechtenstein|Prince Franz Joseph II]] and [[Countess Georgina von Wilczek|Princess Gina]] of [[Liechtenstein]],<ref name="lisd.princeton.edu">{{cite web| url=https://lisd.princeton.edu/about/people/hsh-prince-hans-adam-ii| title=H.S.H. Prince Hans Adam II| website=Liechtenstein Institute on Self-Determination| access-date=2019-08-08| archive-date=8 August 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808021228/https://lisd.princeton.edu/about/people/hsh-prince-hans-adam-ii}}</ref> with his godfather being [[Pope Pius XII]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 February 1945 |title=Baby Prince Named for Pope |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1945/02/19/archives/baby-prince-named-for-pope.html |access-date=16 May 2023}}</ref> His father had succeeded as [[Prince of Liechtenstein]] in 1938 upon the death of his childless grand-uncle, [[Franz I, Prince of Liechtenstein|Prince Franz I]], and Hans-Adam was thus [[hereditary prince]] from birth.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Liechtenstein Royal Family |url=http://www.btinternet.com/~allan_raymond/Liechtenstein_Royal_Family.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630225034/http://www.btinternet.com/~allan_raymond/Liechtenstein_Royal_Family.htm |archive-date=30 June 2012 |access-date=16 May 2023 |website=Monarchies of Europe}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=18 February 1945 |title=Liechtenstein Princess Has Son |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1945/02/18/313639152.html |access-date=16 May 2023 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>

In 1956, he entered the [[Schottengymnasium]] in [[Vienna]]. In 1960, he transferred to the [[Lyceum Alpinum Zuoz|Lyceum Alpinium Zuoz]] in [[Switzerland]], earning a Swiss [[Matura]] and a German [[Abitur]] in 1965. He then worked as a bank trainee in [[London]] before enrolling at the [[University of St. Gallen]] to study [[business administration]], graduating with a [[Licentiate (degree)|licentiate]] in 1969. He is fluent in [[English language|English]] and [[French language|French]] in addition to his native [[German language|German]].<ref>{{cite web |date=2021-03-30 |title=H.S.H. Prince Hans-Adam II |website=Das Fürstenhaus von Liechtenstein |url=https://fuerstenhaus.li/en/the-princely-house/h-s-h-prince-hans-adam-ii/ |access-date=2022-08-15 |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 1984, Prince Franz Joseph II, while legally remaining [[head of state]] and retaining the title of sovereign prince, formally handed the power of making day-to-day governmental decisions to his eldest son as a way of beginning a [[dynasty|dynastic]] transition to a new generation.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hofmann |first=Paul |date=July 23, 1989 |title=WHAT'S DOING IN: Liechtenstein |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/07/23/travel/what-s-doing-in-liechtenstein.html |access-date=16 May 2023}}</ref> Hans-Adam formally succeeded as Prince of Liechtenstein upon the death of his father on 13 November 1989.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-10-26/europe-s-richest-royal-gets-richer-as-family-bank-lures-wealthy| title=The Richest Royal in Europe Just Keeps Getting Richer| last=Pendleton| first=Devon| date=26 October 2017| website=[[Bloomberg News]]| access-date=2019-08-08}}</ref>

==Powers==
A [[2003 Liechtenstein constitutional referendum|referendum]] to adopt Hans-Adam's revision of the [[Constitution of Liechtenstein]] to expand his powers passed in 2003. The prince had threatened to abdicate and leave the country if the referendum did not result in his favour.<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/2853991.stm Liechtenstein prince wins powers] BBC News Online, 16 March 2003. Retrieved 29 December 2006.</ref>

On August 15, 2004, Hans-Adam formally handed the power of making day-to-day governmental decisions to his eldest son [[Alois, Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein|Hereditary Prince Alois]] as [[regent]], as a way of beginning a [[dynasty|dynastic]] transition to a new generation. Legally, Hans-Adam remains the [[head of state]].<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/1066002.stm "Country profile: Liechtenstein – Leaders"]. ''BBC News''. 6 December 2006. Retrieved 29 December 2006.</ref> Hans-Adam's father [[Franz Joseph II, Prince of Liechtenstein|Franz Joseph II]] had similarly done so for him on 26 August 1984.<ref>{{cite news |date=23 July 2023 |title=WHAT'S DOING IN: Liechtenstein |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/07/23/travel/what-s-doing-in-liechtenstein.html |access-date=17 May 2023}}</ref>

In [[2012 Liechtenstein constitutional referendum|a July 2012 referendum]], the people of Liechtenstein overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to curtail the political power of the princely family. A few days before the vote, [[Alois, Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein|Hereditary Prince Alois]] announced he would veto any relaxing of the ban on [[abortion]], also up for referendum. 76 per cent of those voting in the first referendum supported Alois' power to veto the outcome of future referendums.<ref name=bbc>Foulkes, Imogen (1 July 2012). [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18649156 "Liechtenstein referendum rejects curbs on royal powers"]. ''BBC News''.</ref> Legislators, who serve on a part-time basis, rose in the hereditary prince's defence on 23 May, voting 18 to 7 against the citizens' initiative.<ref>{{cite journal| url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2012/06/29/the-prince-vs-the-paupers/| title=The Prince vs. the 'Paupers'| first=Michael Z.| last=Wise| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131209032045/http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2012/06/29/the_prince_vs_the_paupers?page=0,2| archive-date=9 December 2013| journal=Foreign Policy| date=29 June 2012}}</ref>

==Viewpoints and controversies==
Throughout his reign, Hans-Adam has been a prominent proponent of strengthening Liechtenstein's economic and political independence from Switzerland, with which Liechtenstein has been in a [[customs union]] since 1924.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Thöny |first=Sina |date=14 February 2025 |title=Fürst Hans-Adam II. – eine politische Karriere in sieben Zitaten |url=https://www.vaterland.li/liechtenstein/politik/fuerst-hans-adam-ii-eine-politische-karriere-in-sieben-zitaten-art-590118 |access-date=21 February 2025 |work=[[Liechtensteiner Vaterland]] |language=de}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Marxer |first=Roland |date=31 December 2011 |title=Zollanschlussvertrag |url=https://historisches-lexikon.li/Zollanschlussvertrag |access-date=25 October 2023 |website=[[Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein]] |language=de}}</ref> In a speech from 1970 nicknamed the "backpack speech", Hans-Adam declared his intentions to push for an independent Liechtenstein foreign policy.<ref name=":2" /> He was a major proponent of Liechtenstein joining the [[United Nations]], which the country successfully did in 1990.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=15 August 1990 |title=Tiny Liechtenstein Joining the U.N. |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/new-york/syracuse/syracuse-post-standard/1990/08-15/page-5/ |access-date=19 February 2024 |work=[[Syracuse Post Standard]] |pages=5}}</ref>

Hans-Adam instigated the [[1992 Liechtenstein constitutional crisis]] by calling for a referendum regarding Liechtenstein's accession to the [[European Economic Area]] to be held in advance of the corresponding one in Switzerland, against the wishes of both [[Fourth Hans Brunhart cabinet|the government]] and the [[Landtag of Liechtenstein]]. On 28 October 1992, he threatened to dissolve the Landtag and dismiss the [[Prime Minister of Liechtenstein]], [[Hans Brunhart]], over the dispute and appoint an acting prime minister in his place. In response, approximately 2,000 people demonstrated in front of the government house in [[Vaduz]]. On the same day, the government and Hans-Adam II negotiated and came to an agreement that scheduled the referendum after the corresponding one in Switzerland, though notably it affirmed that Liechtenstein would commit to agreements with the EEA despite the result in Switzerland.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Marxer |first=Wilfried |date=31 December 2011 |title=Staatskrise (28.10.1992) |url=https://historisches-lexikon.li/Staatskrise_(28.10.1992) |access-date=18 February 2024 |website=[[Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein]] |language=de}}</ref> The event forced the customs union between Liechtenstein and Switzerland to be revised to grant Liechtenstein greater freedom in deciding its foreign policy, and Liechtenstein subsequently joined the EEA in 1995.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last1=Sele |first1=Patrick |last2=Hochuli |first2=Gerhard |last3=Büchel |first3=Donat |date=31 December 2011 |title=Schweiz |url=https://historisches-lexikon.li/Schweiz |access-date=18 February 2024 |website=[[Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein]] |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=10 April 1995 |title=Trade alliance gets OK |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/ca/manitoba/winnipeg/winnipeg-free-press/1995/04-10/page-4 |access-date=18 February 2024 |work=[[Winnipeg Free Press]] |pages=4}}</ref>

In 1995, Hans-Adam was the subject of a complaint to the [[European Convention on Human Rights]] against the state of Liechtenstein for the violation of freedom of speech and right to an effective remedy. This was prompted by Hans-Adam sending a letter to former [[Deputy Prime Minister of Liechtenstein]], [[Herbert Wille]], which stated that he would not appoint Wille to a public office due to him expressing the opinion in a speech that the [[The courts of Liechtenstein|Liechtenstein state court]] should hold the final say over the prince regarding disputes with the [[constitution of Liechtenstein]]. In 1999, the ECHR ruled that a violation had taken place and the state of Liechtenstein was convicted.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=31 December 2011 |title=Wille, Herbert |url=https://historisches-lexikon.li/Wille,_Herbert |access-date=21 February 2025 |website=[[Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein]] |language=de}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=31 December 2011 |title=Liechtenstein, Hans-Adam II. von |url=https://historisches-lexikon.li/Liechtenstein,_Hans-Adam_II._von |access-date=21 February 2025 |website=[[Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein]] |language=de}}</ref>

In an interview with Radio Liechtenstein in February 2021, Prince Hans-Adam II expressed his support for same-sex marriage but said he opposed allowing same-sex couples to adopt.<ref>{{cite web |date=22 February 2021 |title=Prince Of Liechtenstein: "Gays Can Get Married, But They Can't Adopt" |url=https://gaynation.co/prince-of-liechtenstein-gays-can-get-married-but-they-cant-adopt/ |website=Gay Nation}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=17 February 2021 |title=Gleichgeschlechtliche Ehe: Von Entrüstung bis Zustimmung |trans-title=Same-sex marriage: From outrage to approval |url=https://www.vaterland.li/liechtenstein/politik/von-entruestung-bis-zustimmung;art169,442890# |website=Liechtensteiner Vaterland |language=German}}</ref>

=== Books ===
Hans-Adam has written the political treatise ''The State in the Third Millennium'' ({{ISBN|978-3-905881-04-2}}), which was published in late 2009.<ref name=":5" /> In it, he argues for the continued importance of the [[nation-state]] as a political actor. He makes the case for democracy as the best form of government, which he sees [[Chinese democracy movement|China]] and Russia as in transition towards, although the path will be difficult for these nations. He also declared his role in a princely family as something that has legitimacy only from the assent of the people. He stated that government should be limited to a small set of tasks and abilities, writing that people "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".<ref name="state">{{cite news |date=22 November 2010 |title=H.S.H. Prince Hans-Adam II – The State in the Third Millennium |url=http://www.hoover.org/multimedia/uncommon-knowledge/57561 |access-date=2 December 2010 |website=[[Uncommon Knowledge]]}}</ref> Hans-Adam is a friend of the German [[anarcho-capitalist]] economist [[Hans-Hermann Hoppe]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Woods |first1=Tom |date=18 August 2017 |title=Ep. 979 Liechtenstein: The Closest Thing to a Libertarian Country? |url=https://tomwoods.com/ep-979-liechtenstein-the-closest-thing-to-a-libertarian-country/ |access-date=31 May 2022 |website=Tomwoods.com}}</ref>

Hans-Adam wrote to the foreword to a ''Sourcebook, on Self-Determination and Self-Administration'', which was edited by [[Wolfgang F. Danspeckgruber]] and [[Arthur Watts (lawyer)|Arthur Watts]] ({{ISBN|1-55587-786-9}}, 1997), and in the ''Encyclopedia Princetoniensis''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Encyclopedia Princetoniensis: The Princeton Encyclopedia of Self-Determination (PESD) - Liechtenstein Institute on Self-Determination |url=http://lisd.princeton.edu/projects/encyclopedia-princetoniensis-princeton-encyclopedia-self-determination-pesd |website=lisd.princeton.edu}}</ref>

=== Interest in UFO research ===
Hans-Adam has financed research into [[UFOs]] for decades and is said to have a great personal interest in [[ufology]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-02-15 |title=Liechtensteins Fürst Hans-Adam II. sponserte UFO-Forschung |url=https://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/fuerst-hans-adam-ii-sponserte-ufo-forschung-765893030698 |access-date=2024-12-23 |website=Tages-Anzeiger |language=de}}</ref> This became public through the diaries of the well-known ufologist and astronomer [[Jacques Vallée]], whom Hans-Adam had invited to his castle. He also worked with the American businessman [[Robert Bigelow]], who has also financed UFO research. Hans-Adam's interest in the phenomenon is said to have been sparked by a UFO sighting by his aunt in [[Munich]] in the 1950s.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kummer |first=Christoph |date=2020-05-26 |title=Der Fürst und das UFO, das Richtung Schweiz verschwand |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/ger/kultur/ufo-forschung_der-fuerst-von-liechtenstein-und-das-ufo-das-richtung-schweiz-verschwand/45769790 |access-date=2024-12-23 |website=SWI swissinfo.ch |language=de-CH}}</ref>

==Entrepreneurship and personal wealth==
[[File:Fürst Hans-Adam II. von und zu Liechtenstein (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|Hans-Adam II led the [[LGT Bank]] on an expansion course until his accession to the throne in 1989.]]

Before his accession to the throne, he transformed [[LGT Bank]] which is wholly owned by his family, from a small local bank into an internationally operating financial group. As of 2003 he had a family fortune of US$7.6 billion and a personal fortune of about US$4 billion,<ref>{{cite news |last=Fleck |first=Fiona |title=Voters give billionaire prince new powers |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/liechtenstein/1424873/Voters-give-billionaire-prince-new-powers.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/liechtenstein/1424873/Voters-give-billionaire-prince-new-powers.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |location=London |date=17 March 2003 |access-date=23 October 2009 }}{{cbignore}}</ref> making him one of the world's richest heads of state, and Europe's wealthiest monarch.<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6215825.stm "Liechtenstein redraws Europe map"]. ''BBC News''. 28 December 2006. Retrieved 29 December 2006.</ref>

He inherited his main residence, [[Vaduz Castle]] in Liechtenstein, furthermore in Austria [[Liechtenstein Castle]], [[Wilfersdorf Castle]] (with a wine farm), the [[Liechtenstein Museum|Liechtenstein Garden Palace]] and the [[Stadtpalais Liechtenstein|Liechtenstein City Palace]] in Vienna. In addition to real estate, viticulture, agriculture and forestry, the prince owns a number of companies, the most important being the American company [[RiceTec]].{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}

He also inherited an extensive art collection, much of which is displayed for the public at the [[Liechtenstein Museum]] in Vienna. As of July 2022, his net worth was estimated by ''[[Bloomberg Billionaires Index]]'' around US$6.20 billion, making him the 380th richest person on earth.<ref name="HansA2_net">{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/profiles/prince-hansadam/ |title=Bloomberg Billionaires Index: Prince Hans Adam II |website=Bloomberg News |access-date=2022-07-31}}</ref> However, he placed these assets in a family foundation, the [[Prince of Liechtenstein Foundation]], from which each family member receives an equal annual allowance and which maintains the family's castles, cultural assets, collections and museums and last but not least, the costs of the princely court including even some salaries for princes who are ambassadors abroad, which are not a burden on the taxpayer.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}

His successful entrepreneurship allowed him to buy back parts of the family art collection<ref>[https://www.liechtensteincollections.at/en/presentation/exhibitions/odysseys-of-art-masterpieces-collected-by-the-princes-of-liechtenstein "Odysseys of Art: Masterpieces Collected by the Princes of Liechtenstein"]. ''Hong Kong Palace Museum 2022–2023''.</ref> which his father had to sell after World War II due to lack of money after his vast land holdings in [[Czechoslovakia]] had been expropriated (measuring 7.5 times the total area of the Principality itself) and after his Austrian properties had become inaccessible until the end of the [[Allied-occupied Austria|Soviet occupation]] in 1955. In addition, he continues to expand the collection of classical paintings and applied arts to this day.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}

==Personal life==
{{Princely family of Liechtenstein}}
On 30 July 1967, at [[Vaduz Cathedral|St. Florin's]] in [[Vaduz]], he married his second cousin once removed [[Marie, Princess of Liechtenstein|Countess Marie Kinsky of Wchinitz and Tettau]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=31 July 1967 |title=Liechtenstein's Crown Prince Takes a Bride |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1967/07/31/archives/liechtensteins-crown-prince-takes-a-bride.html |access-date=18 May 2023}}</ref> They have four children and fifteen grandchildren: 
* [[Alois, Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein|Alois Philipp Maria, Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein]], Regent of Liechtenstein, [[County of Rietberg|Count of Rietberg]] (born on 11 June 1968 in [[Zürich]], Canton of Zürich, Switzerland). Married to German [[Sophie, Hereditary Princess of Liechtenstein|Duchess Sophie Elisabeth Marie Gabrielle in Bavaria]] (born on 28 October 1967) in July 1993. They have four children:
** [[Prince Joseph Wenzel of Liechtenstein|Prince Joseph Wenzel Maximilian Maria of Liechtenstein]], Count of Rietberg (born on 24 May 1995 at [[Portland Hospital]] in [[London]], [[England]], United Kingdom).
** [[Princess Marie Caroline of Liechtenstein|Princess Marie Caroline Elisabeth Immaculata of Liechtenstein, Countess of Rietberg]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fuerstenhaus.li/en/the-princely-house/h-s-h-hereditary-prince-alois/|title=H.S.H. Hereditary Prince Alois|website=Liechtenstein Princely House Official Website|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717135156/https://fuerstenhaus.li/en/the-princely-house/h-s-h-hereditary-prince-alois/|archive-date=17 July 2022|access-date=17 July 2022|url-status=live|quote=Princess Marie Caroline, born 17 October 1996}}</ref> (born on 17 October 1996 in [[Grabs, Switzerland|Grabs]], [[Canton of St. Gallen]], Switzerland).
** Prince Georg Antonius Constantin Maria of Liechtenstein, Count of Rietberg (born on 20 April 1999 in Grabs, Canton of St. Gallen, Switzerland).
** Prince Nikolaus Sebastian Alexander Maria of Liechtenstein, Count of Rietberg (born on 6 December 2000 in Grabs, Canton of St. Gallen, Switzerland).
* [[Prince Maximilian of Liechtenstein|Prince Maximilian Nikolaus Maria of Liechtenstein]], Count of Rietberg (born on 16 May 1969 in [[St. Gallen]], Canton of St. Gallen, Switzerland), known professionally as Max von Liechtenstein.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.finews.asia/people/31250-lgt-max-von-liechtenstein-asia-coronavirus-crash-recruiting-growth-costs-asia-singapore-hong-kong|title=Max von Liechtenstein: "Corona Separates Wheat from Chaff"|date=17 March 2020 |access-date=2 July 2022|archive-date=2 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702130313/https://www.finews.asia/people/31250-lgt-max-von-liechtenstein-asia-coronavirus-crash-recruiting-growth-costs-asia-singapore-hong-kong|url-status=live}}</ref> Married to Panamanian-American [[Princess Angela of Liechtenstein|Angela Gisela Brown]] (born on 3 February 1958) in January 2000. They have one son:
** [[Prince Alfons of Liechtenstein|Prince Alfons "Alfonso" Constantin Maria of Liechtenstein, Count of Rietberg]]<ref name=Tatler>{{Cite news | url= https://www.tatler.com/article/who-is-princess-angela-of-liechtenstein|last= Tregaskes|first= Chandler|title= Royally stylish: The Princess of Liechtenstein whose wedding might have inspired the Duchess of Sussex|work= [[Tatler]]|date= 12 June 2020|access-date= 3 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702141951/https://www.tatler.com/article/who-is-princess-angela-of-liechtenstein|archive-date=2 July 2022|url-status=live|quote=Princess Angela and Prince Maximillian of Liechtenstein have one son, Alfonso, who was born in 2001 ...}}</ref> (born on 18 May 2001 in [[London]], England, United Kingdom).
* [[Prince Constantin of Liechtenstein|Prince Constantin Ferdinand Maria of Liechtenstein]], Count of Rietberg (born on 15 March 1972 in [[St. Gallen]], Canton of St. Gallen, Switzerland – died on 5 December 2023), known professionally as Constantin Liechtenstein.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pv-invest.com/en/participation-of-the-liechtenstein-group-lays-the-foundation-for-further-expansion/|title=PARTICIPATION OF THE LIECHTENSTEIN GROUP LAYS THE FOUNDATION FOR FURTHER EXPANSION|website=PV Invest|date=11 March 2021|location=[[Klagenfurt]]|access-date=14 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814151217/https://www.pv-invest.com/en/participation-of-the-liechtenstein-group-lays-the-foundation-for-further-expansion/|archive-date=14 August 2022|url-status=live|quote=Constantin Liechtenstein and Johannes Meran, managing directors of Liechtenstein Beteiligungs GmbH: "We are convinced that PV-Invest is the suitable partner for the future growth strategy of the Liechtenstein Group in the business area "Renewable Energies" due to the many years of expertise of the management and the successful track record."}}</ref> Married to Austrian Countess Marie Gabriele Franziska [[Kálnoky family|Kálnoky de Kőröspatak]] (born on 16 July 1975) in May 1999. They have three children:
** Prince Moritz Emanuel Maria of Liechtenstein, Count of Rietberg (born on 27 May 2003 in [[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]], United States)
** Princess Georgina "Gina" Maximiliana Tatiana Maria of Liechtenstein, Countess of Rietberg<ref>{{Cite news | url= https://www.derstandard.at/story/2132217/nachwuchs-bei-der-liechtensteiner-fuerstenfamilie|author= Editorial Staff|title= Nachwuchs bei der Liechtensteiner Fürstenfamilie|trans-title=Offspring in the Liechtenstein princely family|language=German|work= Derstandard|date= 7 August 2005|access-date= 12 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812125008/https://www.derstandard.at/consent/tcf/story/2132217/nachwuchs-bei-der-liechtensteiner-fuerstenfamilie|archive-date=12 August 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> (born on 23 July 2005 in [[Vienna]], Austria)
** Prince Benedikt Ferdinand Hubertus Maria of Liechtenstein, Count of Rietberg (born on 18 May 2008 in Vienna, Austria)
* Princess Tatjana Nora Maria of Liechtenstein, Countess of Rietberg (born on 10 April 1973 in [[St. Gallen]], Canton of St. Gallen, Switzerland), also known after marriage as Tatjana von Lattorff.<ref name="sosvillage">{{cite web|url=https://www.sos-kinderdorf.li/en/team|title=SOS KINDERDORF|access-date=4 June 2022|quote=H.S.H. Tatjana von Lattorff. Our patroness: Princess of Liechtenstein|website=SOS Village Liechtenstein|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604134308/https://www.sos-kinderdorf.li/en/team|archive-date=4 June 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> She graduated from [[European Business School Madrid|European Business School]] in [[Madrid]], Spain and is fluent in German, English, French and Spanish.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://elpais.com/diario/1995/03/31/agenda/796600803_850215.html|title=Tatiana de Liechtenstein, una novia para el Príncipe|trans-title=Tatjana of Liechtenstein, a bride for the Prince|date=31 March 1995|access-date=24 July 2022|archive-date=24 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220724143839/https://elpais.com/diario/1995/03/31/agenda/796600803_850215.html|first=Ines |last=García Albi|website=[[El País]]|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.revistavanityfair.es/realeza/articulos/liechtenstein-bajo-el-rey-sol/16813|title=Liechtenstein bajo el Rey Sol|trans-title=Liechtenstein under the Sun King|date=31 March 1995|access-date=24 July 2022|archive-date=24 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220724144824/https://www.revistavanityfair.es/realeza/articulos/liechtenstein-bajo-el-rey-sol/16813|first=Alberto |last=Pinteño|website=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] Spain|url-status=live}}</ref> Princess Tatjana is a patron of SOS Children's Village Liechtenstein,<ref name="sosvillage"/> president of Princess Gina of Liechtenstein Foundation<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.volksblatt.li/nachrichten/Liechtenstein/Vermischtes/vb/223957/spatenstich-fur-das-wohnheim-birkahus-erfolgt|title=Spatenstich für das Wohnheim "Birkahus" erfolgt|trans-title=Groundbreaking Ceremony for the "Birkahus" Residential Home|date=24 January 2019|access-date=13 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713120556/https://www.volksblatt.li/nachrichten/Liechtenstein/Vermischtes/vb/223957/spatenstich-fur-das-wohnheim-birkahus-erfolgt|archive-date=13 July 2022|url-status=live|newspaper=Liechtensteiner Volksblatt}}</ref> and also president of the board of trustees of Prince Franz Josef of Liechtenstein Foundation.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.volksblatt.li/nachrichten/Liechtenstein/Vermischtes/vb/216337/anerkennung-und-unterstutzung-fur-soziales-engagement|title=Anerkennung und Unterstützung für soziales Engagement|newspaper=Liechtensteiner Volksblatt|trans-title=Recognition and Support for Social Commitment|date=14 September 2018|access-date=13 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713121044/https://www.volksblatt.li/nachrichten/Liechtenstein/Vermischtes/vb/216337/anerkennung-und-unterstutzung-fur-soziales-engagement|archive-date=13 July 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2020, she became the president of the [[Vienna International School]] Association.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |title=Tatjana von Lattorff Curriculum Vitae|url=https://www.vis.ac.at/fileadmin/user_upload/VIS/Newsletter/Archive_2021/2October/Invitation_to_the_Extraordinary_General_Assembly_December_10__2020_online_incl.CVs-compressed.pdf |website=Vienna International School Association|access-date=28 June 2023|archive-date=28 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628153336/https://www.vis.ac.at/fileadmin/user_upload/VIS/Newsletter/Archive_2021/2October/Invitation_to_the_Extraordinary_General_Assembly_December_10__2020_online_incl.CVs-compressed.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Married to German Baron Matthias Claus-Just Carl Philipp von Lattorff (born on 25 March 1968 in [[Graz]], [[Styria]], Austria) on 5 June 1999. Baron Philipp is the eldest son of Baron Claus-Jürgen von Lattorff and Countess Julia [[Batthyány]] von Angol-Ujvár.<ref name="burke's peerage">{{cite web |url=http://www.burkespeerage.com/royalFamily_Liechtenstein.php |author=[[William Bortrick]] |title=HSH Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein. The Royal Family of Liechtenstein. House of Liechtenstein |publisher=Burke's Peerage |access-date=1 April 2020|archive-date=15 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615023849/https://www.burkespeerage.com/royalFamily_Liechtenstein.php|url-status=live}}</ref> He worked for [[Boehringer Ingelheim]] as a CEO and is the vice president of [[Federation of Austrian Industries]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://steiermark.iv.at/-en-/Federation-of-Austrian-Industries/-Dummy-/Organisation/Federal---regional-presidents/CVs/Vice-President--Philipp-von-Lattorff.html|title=Vice President: Philipp von Lattorff|website=steiermark.iv.at|date=24 July 2022|archive-date=24 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220724151208/https://steiermark.iv.at/-en-/Federation-of-Austrian-Industries/-Dummy-/Organisation/Federal---regional-presidents/CVs/Vice-President--Philipp-von-Lattorff.html|url-status=live}}</ref> They have seven children:
** Lukas Maria von Lattorff (born on 13 May 2000 in [[Wiesbaden]], [[Hesse]], Germany)
** Elisabeth Maria Angela Tatjana von Lattorff (born on 25 January 2002 in Grabs, Canton of St. Gallen, Switzerland)
** Marie Teresa von Lattorff (born on 18 January 2004 in Grabs, Canton of St. Gallen, Switzerland)
** Camilla Maria Katharina von Lattorff (born on 4 November 2005 in [[Monza]], [[Lombardy]], Italy)
** Anna Pia Theresia Maria von Lattorff (born on 3 August 2007 in [[Goldgeben]], [[Lower Austria]], Austria)
** Sophie Katharina Maria von Lattorff (born on 30 October 2009 in Goldgeben, Lower Austria, Austria)
** Maximilian Maria von Lattorff (born on 17 December 2011 in Goldgeben, Lower Austria, Austria)

They remained married until her death on 21 August 2021 at the age of 81.

The Prince is an honorary member of K.D.St.V. Nordgau Prag Stuttgart, a [[Catholic]] students' [[Fraternities and sororities|fraternity]] that is a member of the [[Cartellverband der katholischen deutschen Studentenverbindungen|Union of Catholic German Student Fraternities]].

The Prince donated $12 million in 2000 to found the Liechtenstein Institute on Self-Determination (LISD) at [[Princeton University]]'s [[Princeton School of Public and International Affairs]].<ref>Bloom, Molly. (12 December 2000) [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18649156 Opening of Liechtenstein institute draws international dignitaries]. ''[[The Daily Princetonian]]''</ref><ref>Liechtenstein Institute on Self-Determination at Princeton University [https://lisd.princeton.edu/ Mission & Outreach: The Liechtenstein Institute] (retrieved 23 January 2015)</ref> In his childhood, he joined the [[Pfadfinder und Pfadfinderinnen Liechtensteins]] in Vaduz.<ref>[http://www.liechtenstein.li/eliechtenstein_main_sites/portal_fuerstentum_liechtenstein/fl-fueh-fuerstenhaus/fl-fueh-fuerstenfamilie/fl-fueh-fuerstenfamilie-hansadam2.htm "Fürst Hans-Adam II".] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080123173303/http://www.liechtenstein.li/eliechtenstein_main_sites/portal_fuerstentum_liechtenstein/fl-fueh-fuerstenhaus/fl-fueh-fuerstenfamilie/fl-fueh-fuerstenfamilie-hansadam2.htm |date=23 January 2008 }} Retrieved 29 January 2008.</ref> He is also a former member of the Viennese Scout Group "''Wien 16-Schotten''".<ref name="EBF">{{cite journal| last=Brósch-Fohraheim| first=Eugen| title=Schwedischer König als Pfadfinder in Wien-Zusammenkunft der "Weltpfadfinderstiftung" in Wien 2008| language=de| journal=29 Live| page=21| date=October 2008}}</ref> He is a member of the [[World Scout Foundation]].<ref>[http://www.ppoe.at/wir/wsf_pressegespraech_fotos.html "Seine Majestät Carl XVI Gustaf König von Schweden zu Gast in Wien"]. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211120002/http://www.ppoe.at/wir/wsf_pressegespraech_fotos.html |date=11 December 2008}}. Retrieved 29 October 2008.</ref>

His younger son Prince Constantin died on 5 December 2023 at the age of 51.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://fuerstenhaus.li/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/MM_Prinz-Constantin_20231206_FINAL.pdf |title=Medienmitteilung aus dem Fürstenhaus (Media Release from the Princely House) |language=de |access-date=10 December 2023 |date=6 December 2023 |url-status=live |publisher=Das Fürstenhaus von Liechtenstein (The Princely House of Liechtenstein) |archive-date=10 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210174151/https://fuerstenhaus.li/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/MM_Prinz-Constantin_20231206_FINAL.pdf }}</ref>

== Ancestry ==
{{Ahnentafel|Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein|[[Franz Joseph II, Prince of Liechtenstein]]|[[Countess Georgina von Wilczek]]|[[Prince Alois of Liechtenstein (1869-1955)]]|[[Archduchess Elisabeth Amalie of Austria]]|Count Ferdinand von Wilczek|Countess Norbertine Kinsky von Wchinitz und Tettau|[[Prince Alfred of Liechtenstein (1842-1907)]]|[[Princess Henriette of Liechtenstein]]|[[Archduke Karl Ludwig of Austria]]|[[Infanta Maria Theresa of Portugal]]|Count Johann Nepomuk von Wilczek|Countess Elisabeth Wilhelmine Kinsky von Wchinitz und Tettau|Count Oktavian Zdenko Kinsky von Wchinitz und Tettau|Countess Georgine Ernestine Festétics de Tólna|align=center|boxstyle_1=background-color: #fcc;|boxstyle_2=background-color: #fb9;|boxstyle_3=background-color: #ffc;|boxstyle_4=background-color: #bfc;|collapsed=yes}}

==Titles, styles and honours==
===Titles and styles===
* 14 February 1945 – 13 November 1989: ''His Serene Highness'' The Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein
* 13 November 1989 – present: ''His Serene Highness'' The Prince of Liechtenstein

The official title of the monarch is "Prince of Liechtenstein, [[Duchy of Troppau|Duke of Troppau]] and [[Duchy of Krnov|Jägerndorf]], [[County of Rietberg|Count of Rietberg]], Sovereign of the House of Liechtenstein" ([[German language|German]]: ''Fürst von und zu Liechtenstein, Herzog von Troppau und Jägerndorf, Graf zu Rietberg, Regierer des Hauses von und zu Liechtenstein'').<ref>{{cite web| title=Hausgesetz| url=http://www.fuerstenhaus.li/de/fuerstenhaus/geschichte/hausgesetz.html| website=Sekretariat Seiner Durchlaucht des Fürsten von Liechtenstein| access-date=22 October 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919005650/http://www.fuerstenhaus.li/de/fuerstenhaus/geschichte/hausgesetz.html| archive-date=19 September 2015}}</ref>

===Honours and awards===
{{see also|List of honours of the Liechtensteiner princely family by country}}

====Foreign====
* Austria
** {{Flagicon|Austria-Hungary}} [[House of Habsburg|Austrian-Hungarian Imperial and Royal family]]: 1,305th Knight with Collar of the [[Order of the Golden Fleece]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geneall.net/D/per_page.php?id=7267|title=Johannes Adam II, Fürst von und zu Liechtenstein, * 1945 - Geneall.net|website=www.geneall.net}}</ref>
** {{flag|Austria}}: Grand Cross of the [[Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria|Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria, Grand Star]]<ref>[http://www.parlament.gv.at/PAKT/VHG/XXIV/AB/AB_10542/imfname_251156.pdf Parliamentary question, page=903].</ref>
* {{flagicon|Kingdom of Bavaria}} [[House of Wittelsbach|Bavarian Royal Family]]: Knight Grand Cross of the [[Order of Saint Hubert]]

====Awards====
* {{flag|Austria}}: [[Honorary degree]] of the [[University of Innsbruck]]<ref>{{cite press release| url=http://www.uibk.ac.at/public-relations/presse/archiv/2012/062201/index.html.de| title=Uni Innsbruck ehrt verdiente Persönlichkeiten| trans-title=University of Innsbruck honors deserving individuals| website=University of Innsbruck}}</ref>
* {{flag|Romania}}: Honorary degree of the [[Babeș-Bolyai University]]<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.romaniaregala.ro/jurnal/principele-suveran-de-liechtenstein-omagiat-la-cluj/| title=Principele Suveran de Liechtenstein, omagiat la Cluj - Familia Regală a României / Royal Family of Romania|website=www.romaniaregala.ro}}</ref>

==Arms==
{{Infobox COA wide
|image = File:Staatswappen-Liechtensteins.svg
|crest = 
|coronet = [[Ducal hat of Liechtenstein]]
|escutcheon = Quarterly: I Or, an eagle displayed Sable crowned and armed Or charged with a [[crescent]] treflée, issuing from the middle thereof a cross pattée Argent ([[Silesia]]); II barry of eight Or and Sable, a crown of rue bendways throughout Vert (Kuenring); III per pale Gules and Argent ([[Duchy of Troppau]]); IV Or, a [[harpy]] displayed Sable the human parts Argent crowned and armed Or ([[Cirksena]]); on a point entée Azure, a [[Bugle (instrument)|bugle-horn]] stringed Or ([[Duchy of Krnov|Duchy of Jägerndorf]]); en surtout, an inescutcheon per fess or and Gules ([[House of Liechtenstein]]).<ref>{{cite web |title=The Emblems |url=https://fuerstenhaus.li/en/the-monarchy/the-emblems/ |website=The Princely House of Liechtenstein |date=13 April 2021 |access-date=20 June 2023}}</ref>
|supporters = 
|motto = 
}}

==See also==
{{portal|Biography|Royalty}}
*[[Line of succession to the Liechtensteiner throne]]
*[[List of monarchs of Liechtenstein]]
*[[Prince of Liechtenstein Foundation]]
*[[Princely Family of Liechtenstein]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commons category}}
* {{Official website|https://fuerstenhaus.li/en/the-princely-house/h-s-h-prince-hans-adam-ii/}}
* [https://news.bbc.co.uk/media/audio/39998000/rm/_39998530_liechtenstein.ram 2004: Royal power handover – Prince Alois says democracy still strong] Real Audio sound file from the BBC.
* [http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid84373922001?bclid=91018198001&bctid=692108154001 Interview] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303224203/http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid84373922001?bclid=91018198001&bctid=692108154001 |date=3 March 2016 }} with [[Peter Robinson (speechwriter)|Peter Robinson]] of [[Uncommon Knowledge]]{{dead link|date=May 2023}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150115080136/http://lisd.princeton.edu/ Web archive]

{{s-start}}
{{s-hou|[[Princely Family of Liechtenstein|House of Liechtenstein]]|14 February|1945|Living}}
{{s-reg}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Franz Joseph II, Prince of Liechtenstein|Franz Josef II]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of monarchs of Liechtenstein|Prince of Liechtenstein]]|years=1989–present}}
{{s-inc|heir=[[Alois, Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein|Alois]]|heir-type=Heir apparent}}
{{s-end}}
{{Monarchs of Liechtenstein}}
{{Current sovereigns}}
{{Liechtensteiner princes}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hans-Adam 02, Prince of Liechtenstein}}
[[Category:1945 births]]
[[Category:20th-century Roman Catholics]]
[[Category:21st-century Roman Catholics]]
[[Category:20th-century princes of Liechtenstein]]
[[Category:21st-century princes of Liechtenstein]]
[[Category:Knights of the Golden Fleece of Austria]]
[[Category:Bailiffs Grand Cross of Honour and Devotion of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Grand Star of the Decoration for Services to the Republic of Austria]]
[[Category:University of St. Gallen alumni]]
[[Category:Liechtenstein people of Polish descent]]
[[Category:Liechtenstein people of Czech descent]]
[[Category:Liechtenstein billionaires]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of Merit of the Principality of Liechtenstein]]
[[Category:Liechtenstein princes]]
[[Category:Princes of Liechtenstein]]
[[Category:Liechtenstein bankers]]