{
  "id": 1044486,
  "title": "Liechtenstein changes its rules to allow women to inherit the Alpine principality’s throne",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/liechtenstein-changes-its-rules-to-allow-women-to-inherit-the-alpine-1044486",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-15T13:20:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/entertainment/2026/08/15/liechtenstein-changes-its-rules-to-allow-women-to-inherit-the-alpine-principalitys-throne"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Liechtenstein's royal family announced on Saturday that the nation's rules of succession will be altered to permit a woman to potentially inherit the principality's throne in the future. Hereditary Prince Alois made this announcement during a speech marking the country's national day, following its approval by a two-thirds majority of family members on Wednesday. Alois stated that this change is an effort to strike a balance between continuity and renewal, emphasizing that decisions in the princely house have traditionally been made with long-term and well-considered thought.\n\nThe line of succession will transition from male primogeniture to absolute primogeniture, meaning the first-born child, regardless of gender, will inherit the throne and later become either the princess or prince of Liechtenstein. Currently, Prince Hans-Adam II holds the position of head of state, but he transferred most of his powers to his eldest son, Alois, in 2004. Alois' eldest child, 31-year-old Prince Joseph Wenzel, is the second in line.\n\nLiechtenstein, a wealthy nation of 40,000 people situated between Switzerland and Austria, possesses a relatively potent monarchy compared to European standards. The ruling prince retains the authority to veto referendum outcomes, appoint judges, and dismiss the government. The nation has a conservative history and granted women the right to vote in national elections in 1984, following a narrowly approved referendum. In 2004, Brigitte Haas became Liechtenstein's first female prime minister.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Associated Press",
        "title": "Liechtenstein changes its rules to allow women to inherit the Alpine principality’s throne",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/liechtenstein-changes-its-rules-to-allow-women-to-inherit-the-alpine",
        "published": "2026-08-15T13:23:01.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Le Monde English",
        "title": "Liechtenstein changes its rules to allow women to inherit the Alpine principality's throne",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/liechtenstein-changes-its-rules-to-allow-women-to-inherit-the-alpine-1044423",
        "published": "2026-08-15T13:34:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CBS News",
        "title": "Liechtenstein moves to change succession laws, paves way for women on throne",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/liechtenstein-moves-to-change-succession-laws-paves-way-for-women-on",
        "published": "2026-08-15T14:36:48.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}