Franz I, Prince of Liechtenstein

Franz I
Prince of Liechtenstein
Reign 11 February 1929 – 25 July 1938
Predecessor Johann II
Successor Franz Josef II
Born (1853-08-28)28 August 1853
Schloss Liechtenstein, near Vienna
Died 25 July 1938(1938-07-25) (aged 84)
Valtice, Czechoslovakia
Burial Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, Brno
Spouse Elisabeth von Gutmann
Full name
Franz de Paula Maria Karl August
House Liechtenstein
Father Aloys II
Mother Franziska Kinsky

Franz I, Prince of Liechtenstein, born Franz de Paula Maria Karl August (28 August 1853 – 25 July 1938), was the Prince of Liechtenstein between 1929 and 1938.

Early life

He was the younger son of Aloys II of Liechtenstein and his wife Countess Franziska Kinsky. Franz succeeded his older brother Johann II as Prince of Liechtenstein on 11 February 1929.

Career

Franz I served as the Austro-Hungarian ambassador at the Court of Tsar Nicholas II in St. Petersburg between 1894 and 1899. As Prince of Liechtenstein he continued the economic reforms initiated by his brother.

He was the 1,204th Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece in Austria.

Succession

Like his brother Johann II, Franz I had no children. His nephew Prince Aloys was heir presumptive, but Aloys removed himself from the line of succession in favor of his son, Franz Josef, in 1923.

In March 1938 the elderly Franz I named Franz Joseph the country's regent. Although he cited old age as his reason for relinquishing his duties, it is widely believed that it was because he had no desire to be ruling if Nazi Germany invaded his small Principality. Franz I died on 25 July 1938, and was formally succeeded by his grandnephew, Franz Joseph II.

Personal life

On 22 July 1929, Franz I married Elisabeth von Gutmann (8 January 1875, in Vienna – 28 September 1947, in Vitznau), a noblewoman of Jewish descent, in Vienna, without issue.

In 1937, on the anniversary of his marriage, Franz founded the Order of Merit of the Principality of Liechtenstein.[1]

Ancestry

References

  1. ↑ Megan C. Robertson (9 August 2008). "Principality of Liechtenstein: Order of Merit of the Principality of Liechtenstein". Medals of the World. Retrieved 26 April 2011.
Franz I, Prince of Liechtenstein
Born: 28 August 1853 Died: 25 July 1938
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Johann II		 Prince of Liechtenstein
1929–1938		 Succeeded by
Franz Joseph II


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