Liechtenstein has changed its royal succession rules to allow women to inherit the throne, ending a centuries-old preference for male heirs.
The announcement was made on Friday, the tiny central European principality’s national day, as hundreds gathered below Vaduz Castle, the official residence of Prince Hans-Adam II.
The new rules replace male primogeniture with absolute primogeniture, meaning the first-born child will inherit the throne regardless of whether the child is male or female.
“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.”
The change does not immediately alter the current line of succession.
Prince Hans-Adam II, who has headed the royal family since 1989, is expected to be succeeded by his eldest son, Hereditary Prince Alois.
Alois, who has undertaken most of his father’s official duties for about two decades, has four children with his wife, Hereditary Princess Sophie.
The new succession arrangement will apply to their descendants.
Explaining the decision, Alois said the reform was intended to ensure that the country and its ruling family were led by the person considered most prepared for the responsibility.
“With this change in the law, we want to ensure that both the Principality of Liechtenstein and the Princely House are led by the person who has been best prepared for this responsibility.”
Liechtenstein, with a population of about 44,000, is a doubly landlocked country situated between Switzerland and Austria.
Unlike many European monarchs, its prince retains significant political powers.
The move follows similar reforms elsewhere in Europe.
Britain changed its succession rules in 2011 to allow the first-born child of a monarch to inherit the throne regardless of gender.
