Sophie, Hereditary Princess of Liechtenstein

{{Multiple issues|

}}

{{Infobox royalty

| name = Sophie

| image = Sophie, Hereditary Princess of Liechtenstein (cropped).jpg

| caption = Sophie in 2024

| title = Hereditary Princess of Liechtenstein

| birth_name = Sophie Elisabeth Marie Gabrielle Herzogin in Bayern

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1967|10|28|df=y}}

| birth_place = Munich, West Germany

| spouse = {{marriage|Alois, Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein| 3 July 1993}}

| house = Wittelsbach

| issue = {{plainlist|

Prince Joseph Wenzel
Princess Marie Caroline
Prince Georg
Prince Nikolaus}}

| father = Prince Max, Duke in Bavaria

| mother = Countess Elisabeth Douglas

}}

Sophie, Hereditary Princess of Liechtenstein, Countess of Rietberg (born Sophie Elisabeth Marie Gabrielle Herzogin in Bayern;{{efn|{{langx|en|Duchess in Bavaria.}} Regarding personal names: Herzogin was a title before 1919, but now is regarded as part of the surname. It is translated as Duchess. Before the August 1919 abolition of nobility as a legal class, titles preceded the full name when given (Graf Helmuth James von Moltke). Since 1919, these titles, along with any nobiliary prefix (von, zu, etc.), can be used, but are regarded as a dependent part of the surname, and thus come after any given names (Helmuth James Graf von Moltke). Titles and all dependent parts of surnames are ignored in alphabetical sorting. The masculine form is Herzog.}} 28 October 1967) was born a member of the House of Wittelsbach, with the courtesy title of Duchess in Bavaria, and second in line for the Jacobite succession.{{cite news |title=Sorry, Wills, Franz gets the crown |url=https://www.thetimes.com/comment/register/article/sorry-wills-franz-gets-the-crown-g6whbkrrk9g |newspaper= The Sunday Times|author=Giles Hattersley| date=16 October 2011 |access-date=6 November 2019}} She is married to Alois, Hereditary Prince and Regent of Liechtenstein.

Early life and education

Duchess Sophie in Bavaria born in Munich, the eldest of the five daughters of Prince Max, Duke in Bavaria, and Princess Elisabeth, Duchess in Bavaria (née Countess Douglas), as well as a patrilineal great-great-granddaughter of the last King of Bavaria, Ludwig III. She was born in Munich on 28 October 1967 and baptised as Sophie Elizabeth Marie Gabrielle{{cite web | url=http://www.fuerstenhaus.li/en/fuerstenhaus/fuerstliche_familie/erbprinzessin_sophie.html | title=The Princely House of Liechtenstein | access-date=October 20, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621055352/http://www.fuerstenhaus.li/en/fuerstenhaus/fuerstliche_familie/erbprinzessin_sophie.html | archive-date=June 21, 2012 }} in the chapel of her family's Kreuth home on 18 November. Her godparents were her maternal aunt the Duchess of Marlborough and Princess Anna Gabriele of Wrede.{{cite web | url=http://www.jacobite.ca/genealogy.htm | title=The Descendants of Queen Mary IV and III }}

Sophie spent her childhood together with her parents and sisters in Wildbad Kreuth. From 1978 to 1980, Sophie attended the Girls' Home Primary School of the English Lady in Heiligenstadt. She then moved to the Girls' Secondary Boarding School Hohenburg in Lenggries. Sophie then studied history and English language and literature at the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt. She also attended Inchbald School of Design in London.{{cite web|url=https://historisches-lexikon.li/Liechtenstein,_Sophie_von?marker=Sophie+von+Liechtenstein|title=Liechtenstein, Sophie von|first=Harold|last=Wagner|date=31 December 2021|archive-date=3 July 2022|website=Historisches Lexicon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein|access-date=2 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703154336/https://historisches-lexikon.li/Liechtenstein,_Sophie_von?marker=Sophie+von+Liechtenstein|url-status=live|language=German}}

Marriage and children

Duchess Sophie in Bavaria met Alois, Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein at her cousin's birthday party in Munich.{{cite web|url=https://www.vaterland.li/liechtenstein/300jahre/ich-schaetze-den-humor-der-liechtensteiner;art10607,367754|title="Ich schätze den Humor der Liechtensteiner"|trans-title="I appreciate the humor of the Liechtensteiners"|date=23 January 2019|website=Liechtensteiner Vaterland|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717134126/https://www.vaterland.li/liechtenstein/300jahre/ich-schaetze-den-humor-der-liechtensteiner;art10607,367754|archive-date=17 July 2022|access-date=17 July 2022|url-status=live}} The couple married on 3 July 1993 at Cathedral of St. Florin in Vaduz, Liechtenstein.{{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}} They lived in London from September 1993 until May 1996, and have since then resided in Vaduz, Liechtenstein. They have four children:

Prince Joseph Wenzel Maximilian Maria of Liechtenstein, Count of Rietberg (born 24 May 1995 at Portland Hospital in London, England, United Kingdom). Educated at Malvern College in Worcestershire, England.
Princess Marie Caroline Elisabeth Immaculata of Liechtenstein, Countess of Rietberg (born 17 October 1996 in Grabs, Canton of St. Gallen).{{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|date=30 March 2021 |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}} She initially attended Ebenholz Primary School in Vaduz and the International School Rheintal in Buchs, Switzerland before completing her secondary studies at Malvern College in Worcestershire, England.{{cite web|url=https://fuerstenhaus.li/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/PM_Verlobung_Marie-Caroline_D_10.2024.pdf|title=Fuerstenhaus|publisher=Liechtenstein Princely House|access-date=29 October 2024|archive-date=29 October 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20241029063336/https://fuerstenhaus.li/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/PM_Verlobung_Marie-Caroline_D_10.2024.pdf|url-status=live|language=German}} Princess Marie Caroline obtained Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in fashion design from Parsons Paris School of Art and Design in 2020.{{cite web|url=https://parsonsparis-graduation2020.net/portfolio/marie-caroline-liechtenstein/|title=Marie Caroline Liechtenstein|website=Parsons Paris|access-date=2 July 2022|archive-date=2 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702031646/https://parsonsparis-graduation2020.net/portfolio/marie-caroline-liechtenstein/|url-status=live}} She works in the fashion industry in London. On 21 October 2024, her engagement to Venezuelan Leopoldo Maduro Vollmer was announced.{{cite web|url=https://www.radio.li/p/Prinzessin-Marie-Caroline-hat-sich-verlobt-1q8G2D9sFTod1X5ku82N12|title=Prinzessin Marie Caroline hat sich verlobt|trans-title=Princess Marie Caroline is engaged|date=22 October 2024|website=Radio Liechtenstein|access-date=29 October 2024|archive-date=29 October 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20241029064000/https://www.radio.li/p/Prinzessin-Marie-Caroline-hat-sich-verlobt-1q8G2D9sFTod1X5ku82N12|url-status=live|language=German}}
Prince Georg Antonius Constantin Maria of Liechtenstein, Count of Rietberg (born 20 April 1999 in Grabs). He attended Malvern College and graduated in 2017. He then studied at the University of St. Gallen and continued his education at the ESCP Business School. Professionally known as Georg Liechtenstein, he works as a visiting analyst at Atlantic Labs in Berlin.{{cite web|url=https://adelswelt.de/die-jungen-royals-aus-liechtenstein-marie-caroline-und-ihre-brueder/|title=Die jungen Royals aus Liechtenstein: Marie Caroline & ihre Brüder|trans-title=The young Royals from Liechtenstein: Marie Caroline & her brothers|website=adelswelt.de|date=16 August 2022|access-date=16 September 2022|archive-url=https://archive.today/20220916125149/https://adelswelt.de/die-jungen-royals-aus-liechtenstein-marie-caroline-und-ihre-brueder/|archive-date=16 September 2022|url-status=live}}
Prince Nikolaus Sebastian Alexander Maria of Liechtenstein, Count of Rietberg (born 6 December 2000 in Grabs).

She became a naturalized Liechtenstein citizen after her marriage.

Illness

At the beginning of 2003, it was made public that Sophie had been diagnosed with a benign brain tumor, from which she has recovered.{{Citation needed|date=October 2021}}

Activities

Hereditary Princess Sophie serves as a patron for many organizations and events, often relating to children, education and the arts. She regularly visited social institutions such as hospitals, nursing homes and auctions.{{cite web|url=https://www.vaterland.li/fotogalerie/cme11992,2057926|title=Altersheimbesuche von Erbprinzessin Sophie|trans-title=Hereditary Princess Sophie visits hospitals and retirement homes|access-date=17 June 2022|language=German|website=Liechtensteiner Vaterland|date=16 December 2019 |archive-date=17 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617042852/https://www.vaterland.li/fotogalerie/cme11992,2057926|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.artforchildren.ch/home/unser-engagement-in-austria/|title=DAFÜR SETZEN WIR UNS EIN|website=Art for Children|access-date=21 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220621125132/https://www.artforchildren.ch/home/unser-engagement-in-austria/|archive-date=21 June 2022|url-status=live}} The Hereditary Princess often accompanies her husband on foreign visits, as well as many events within Liechtenstein itself.{{cite web|url=https://www.vaterland.li/liechtenstein/politik/erbprinzenpaar-und-regierungsraetin-in-suedkorea;art169,361230|title=Erbprinzenpaar und Regierungsrätin in Südkorea|trans-title=Hereditary Prince Couple and government councilor in South Korea|date=4 December 2018|access-date=17 June 2022|language=German|website=Liechtensteiner Vaterland|archive-date=17 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617055541/https://www.vaterland.li/liechtenstein/politik/erbprinzenpaar-und-regierungsraetin-in-suedkorea;art169,361230|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.vaterland.li/liechtenstein/gesellschaft/vermischtes/ikrk-praesident-trifft-erbprinzenpaar;art171,409778|title=IKRK-Präsident trifft Erbprinzenpaar|trans-title=ICRC President meets Hereditary Prince Couple|date=20 January 2020|access-date=17 June 2022|language=German|website=Liechtensteiner Vaterland|archive-date=17 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617044837/https://www.vaterland.li/liechtenstein/gesellschaft/vermischtes/ikrk-praesident-trifft-erbprinzenpaar;art171,409778|url-status=live}}{{cite news|first=Michael |last=Zangellini|url=https://www.volksblatt.li/multimedia/fotos/310272/112-liechtensteiner-landesfeuerwehrtag?src=vb|title=112th Liechtenstein State Fire Brigade Day|date=11 June 2022|access-date=17 June 2022|language=German|newspaper=Liechtensteiner Volksblatt|archive-date=17 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617045722/https://www.volksblatt.li/multimedia/fotos/310272/112-liechtensteiner-landesfeuerwehrtag?src=vb|url-status=live}}

In 2006, the Hereditary Princess founded the Sophie von Liechtenstein Stiftung für Frau und Kind (Sophie of Liechtenstein Foundation for Woman and Child). The foundation's purpose is to give women who unintentionally became pregnant a more positive life perspective for themselves and their children.[http://www.fuerstenhaus.li/en/fuerstenhaus/fuerstliche_familie/erbprinzessin_sophie.html Fuerstenhaus.li] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621055352/http://www.fuerstenhaus.li/en/fuerstenhaus/fuerstliche_familie/erbprinzessin_sophie.html |date=2012-06-21 }} The foundation has three offices – in Liechtenstein, Vorarlberg and St. Gallen – and is funded by the Liechtenstein princely family and by private donations. The Hereditary Princess serves as president and trustee.{{cite web|url=https://www.svl-stiftung.li/|title=Sophie von Liechtenstein Stiftung|trans-title=Sophie of Liechtenstein Foundation|access-date=17 June 2022|language=German|website=Sophie von Liechtenstein Stiftung|archive-date=17 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617040000/https://www.svl-stiftung.li/|url-status=live}} Sophie also founded a pregnancy counseling service named schwanger.li in Schaan, Buchs, and Feldkirch.{{cite web|url=https://schwanger.li/Wir-ueber-uns/|title=schwanger.li|access-date=3 July 2022|archive-date=3 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703161504/https://schwanger.li/Wir-ueber-uns/|url-status=live}} In April 2022, the foundation and Liechtenstein Red Cross launch the "Liechtenstein Family Network" project to support parents with young children from the age of 0 to 5 years in order to promote healthy development of children.{{cite news|url=https://www.volksblatt.li/nachrichten/Liechtenstein/Vermischtes/vb/304574/erbprinzessin-sophie-startet-anlaufstelle-fur-fruhe-hilfe|title=Erbprinzessin Sophie startet Anlaufstelle für "frühe Hilfe"|trans-title=Hereditary Princess Sophie starts contact point for "early help"|date=6 April 2022|access-date=2 June 2022|language=German|newspaper=Liechtensteiner Volksblatt|archive-date=2 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602041848/https://www.volksblatt.li/nachrichten/Liechtenstein/Vermischtes/vb/304574/erbprinzessin-sophie-startet-anlaufstelle-fur-fruhe-hilfe|url-status=live}}

Hereditary Princess Sophie has served as a president of the Liechtenstein Red Cross since 2015.{{cite web|url=https://www.vaterland.li/importe/archiv/vermischtes/Fuerstin-gibt-Amt-als-Rot-Kreuz-Praesidentin-ab;art477,87568|trans-title=The Princess Consort resigns as Red Cross President|title=Fürstin gibt Amt als Rot-Kreuz-Präsidentin ab|language=German|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220621103720/https://www.vaterland.li/importe/archiv/vermischtes/Fuerstin-gibt-Amt-als-Rot-Kreuz-Praesidentin-ab;art477,87568|date=13 May 2014|archive-date= 21 June 2022|website=Liechtensteiner Vaterland|access-date=17 June 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://mobile.twitter.com/MFA_LI/status/1483102110682161159|title=H.S.H. Hereditary Prince Alois and H.R.H. Hereditary Princess Sophie, President of the Liechtenstein Red Cross, met with President of the ICRC @PmaurerICRC at Vaduz Castle today for an exchange on the global humanitarian situation.|website=Twitter|author=Liechtenstein Ministry of Foreign Affair (@MFA_LI)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617070238/https://mobile.twitter.com/MFA_LI/status/1483102110682161159|archive-date=17 June 2022|date=17 January 2022|url-status=bot: unknown|access-date=17 June 2022}} In March 2022, as president of the Red Cross, Hereditary Princess Sophie was interviewed by Radio Liechtenstein, discussing Liechtenstein's contribution to the International Red Cross's Ukraine relief funds during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.{{cite web|url=https://royalcentral.co.uk/europe/hereditary-princess-sophie-of-liechtenstein-praises-her-country-for-contributions-to-ukraine-relief-funds-173712/|title=Hereditary Princess Sophie of Liechtenstein praises her country for contributions to Ukraine relief funds|date=11 March 2022|archive-date=17 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617051818/https://royalcentral.co.uk/europe/hereditary-princess-sophie-of-liechtenstein-praises-her-country-for-contributions-to-ukraine-relief-funds-173712/|url-status=live|website=Royal Central}} She is also a patron of the Liechtenstein Animal Welfare Association.{{cite web|url=https://www.tierschutzverein.li/News/Newsdetail.aspx?shmid=450&shact=595097988&shmiid=f1IQxYDQCcU__eql__|title=Ein Herz für Hunde|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617112609/https://www.tierschutzverein.li/News/Newsdetail.aspx?shmid=450&shact=595097988&shmiid=f1IQxYDQCcU__eql__|archive-date=17 June 2022|url-status=live|date= 19 November 2015}} In addition, she supports Caritas Liechtenstein, an organisation that provides financial support to those facing severe financial troubles.{{cite web|url=https://www.vaterland.li/liechtenstein/gesellschaft/vermischtes/Leise-Arbeit-mit-grosser-Wirkung;art171,204612|title=Leise Arbeit mit grosser Wirkung|trans-title=Quiet work with a big impact|date=23 May 2016|access-date=17 June 2022|language=German|website=Liechtensteiner Vaterland|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617065223/https://www.vaterland.li/liechtenstein/gesellschaft/vermischtes/Leise-Arbeit-mit-grosser-Wirkung;art171,204612|archive-date=17 June 2022}} She also visited Gamander Children's Home, a shelter home for orphaned and abandoned children.{{cite web|url=https://roteskreuz.li/kinderheim/erholung-und-freude-in-liechtenstein/|title=Erholung und Freude in Liechtenstein|access-date= 21 June 2022|website=Liechtenstein Red Cross|date=16 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220621125236/https://roteskreuz.li/kinderheim/erholung-und-freude-in-liechtenstein/|archive-date=21 June 2022|url-status=live}} In September 2022, Sophie became the patron of the Heilpädagogische Zentrum in Liechtenstein (Special Education Center in Liechtenstein).{{cite web|url=https://www.vaterland.li/liechtenstein/gesellschaft/erbprinzessin-sophie-wird-neue-hpz-schirmherrin-art-506109|title=Erbprinzessin Sophie wird neue HPZ-Schirmherrin|trans-title=Hereditary Princess Sophie becomes the new patron of the HPZ|date=25 September 2022|access-date=30 October 2022|language=German|website=Liechtensteiner Vaterland|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030041903/https://www.vaterland.li/liechtenstein/gesellschaft/erbprinzessin-sophie-wird-neue-hpz-schirmherrin-art-506109|archive-date=30 October 2022|url-status=live}}

Titles and styles

From her birth in 1967, Sophie was styled HRH Princess Sophie of Bavaria. In 1973, her father inherited the family name and style Duke in Bavaria from his great-uncle Duke Ludwig Wilhelm who had adopted him as heir in 1965; Sophie was then styled as HRH Duchess Sophie in Bavaria, Princess of Bavaria. On her marriage in 1993, she became HRH The Hereditary Princess of Liechtenstein, Countess of Rietberg, the Principality of Liechtenstein recognising and retaining her use of the style Royal Highness.

Honours

=National=

{{flag|Liechtenstein}}:
55px Grand Star of the Order of Merit of the Principality of Liechtenstein.{{cite web |title=ROYAL PORTRAITS GALLERY |date=June 2023 |url=https://royalportraitsgallery.com/home/the-hereditary-prince-and-hereditary-princess-of-liechtenstein-attend-wedding-of-crown-prince-hussein-and-rajwa-al-saif |access-date=12 August 2024}}

=Foreign=

{{flag|Netherlands}}:
55px Recipient of King Willem-Alexander Inauguration Medal, 2013.{{cite web |title=Staatsblad van het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden |date=26 April 2013 |url=https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/stb-2013-163.html |publisher=Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken en Koninkrijksrelaties |access-date=12 August 2024}}

Ancestry

{{ahnentafel

|collapsed=yes |align=center

|boxstyle_1=background-color: #fcc;

|boxstyle_2=background-color: #fb9;

|boxstyle_3=background-color: #ffc;

|boxstyle_4=background-color: #bfc;

|1= 1. Sophie, Hereditary Princess of Liechtenstein

|2= 2. Prince Max-Emanuel, Duke in Bavaria

|3= 3. Countess Elisabeth Christina Douglas

|4= 4. Albrecht, Duke of Bavaria

|5= 5. Countess Maria Franziska Draskovich von Trakošćan

|6= 6. Count Carl Ludwig Douglas

|7= 7. Ottora Maria Haas-Heye

|8= 8. Rupprecht, Crown Prince of Bavaria{{cite web |title=H.R.H Hereditary Princess Sophie |url=https://fuerstenhaus.li/en/the-princely-house/h-r-h-hereditary-princess-sophie/ |website=The Princely House of Liechtenstein |access-date=20 June 2023}}

|9= 9. Duchess Marie Gabrielle in Bavaria

|10= 10. Count Dionys Maria Draskovich von Trakošćan

|11= 11. Princess Juliana Rose von Montenuovo

|12= 12. Count Wilhelm Archibald Douglas

|13= 13. Astri Henschen

|14= 14. Otto Ludwig Haas-Heye

|15= 15. Countess Viktoria Ada von Eulenburg und Hertefeld

}}

Footnotes

References

External links

[https://fuerstenhaus.li/en/the-princely-house/h-r-h-hereditary-princess-sophie/ Hereditary Princess Sophie] - official website of the Princely House of Liechtenstein