A photograph capturing Prince Constantin of Liechtenstein, who passed away at the age of 51 on December 5, 2023. The image is accompanied by a condolence book link: kondolenzbuch.li.
Prince Constantin, the youngest son of Liechtenstein's current monarch, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 51 on Tuesday, as announced by the Princely House of Liechtenstein in a statement on Wednesday. The cause of his death has not been disclosed.
Seventh in line for the throne, Prince Constantin was survived by his wife, Princess Marie of Liechtenstein, and their three children: Prince Moritz, Princess Georgina, and Prince Benedikt. The grieving family has not issued a public statement regarding the prince's demise.
Liechtenstein is observing two days of national mourning until Friday, during which the nation pays tribute to Prince Constantin. The Landtag, the state parliament, observed a minute of silence, and churches across the country tolled their bells in remembrance. An electronic mourning book has been made available for the public to convey their condolences.
The official statement on Prince Constantin's passing noted his role as the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Liechtenstein Group AG and his membership on the Board of Directors of Liechtenstein Group Holding AG. The Liechtenstein Group, a private banking and asset management entity, is noteworthy for being the largest organization of its kind owned by a royal family.
Expressing deep sorrow, the Liechtenstein Group released a statement on its website, describing Prince Constantin's death as a "terrible shock" to those who knew him.
Liechtenstein, recognized for its financial stability, boasts a robust financial services sector. Prince Hans-Adam II, the reigning monarch, formerly a successful banker, transformed the Liechtenstein Group into an international holding company, contributing to his status as Europe's wealthiest monarch.
Situated between Austria and Switzerland, Liechtenstein is a constitutional monarchy with the reigning prince serving as the head of state. The Prince of Liechtenstein possesses a comparatively substantial amount of sovereign power compared to other constitutional monarchies in Europe.
In 2003, a referendum granted the Princely House the authority to veto legislation and implement emergency powers, including the dismissal of the democratically-elected Landtag. This referendum also provided citizens with the right to call a vote of confidence to abolish the monarchy. Prince Hans-Adam II, a strong advocate of the referendum, had frequently threatened to relocate to Austria if his desires were not fulfilled.
In 2004, Prince Hans-Adam II delegated the day-to-day management of state affairs to his eldest son, Hereditary Prince Alois, who, together with his father, represents the Princely House.
