oho #3 - The magazine of the Principality of Liechtenstein

State/Princely House
The Sophie of Liechtenstein Foundation is not your
only social commitment. In May 2015, you took over
the Chair of the Liechtenstein Red Cross (LRC) from
Princess Marie. Three generations of Princely women
have now been in charge of this organisation. What
have been your most impressive experiences to date?
There have already been a number of memorable
occasions. The work at the Red Cross is very intensive,
but also above all very rewarding and positive. For
example, the charitable organisation Charitas contacted
us last autumn with a proposal to make a joint appeal for
donations for Syria – a plan to which we were pleased to
agree. The positive reaction and generosity of the
Liechtenstein population was amazing. I was also very
impressed by the 32 nd International Red Cross and Red
Crescent Conference in Geneva, in which 190 national
organisations took part. An excellent opportunity to make
useful contacts and to discuss future collaboration. For
example, a joint project organised by small European
states will address the construction of earthquake-proof
housing in Nepal.
What issue are you personally most keen to address in
your capacity as Chair of the LRC?
I very much hope we will be able to “rejuvenate” the Red
Cross a little, and to raise its profile.
The LRC runs inter alia the Children’s Home in Schaan,
which aims to provide above all children from the
poorest regions of Eastern Europe with a few days of
carefree fun and adventure. Do you also visit the
children in person?
There are always two scheduled events in the calendar.
The children are invited by Princess Marie to visit Vaduz
Castle. And then on another occasion I visit them at the
Gamander Children’s Home, where we sit around and chat.
There are very moving moments, as well as very amusing
moments – for example when they ask me if I have to wear
a crown, being a hereditary princess. (chuckles)
Does intensive contact with poverty and the suffering
of other people change one’s view of one’s own life?
I have always been very conscious of such issues. Even
amongst my own relatives, there are individuals who lost
everything from one day to the next. This certainly
makes one think. It begins with the little things of
everyday life. For example, I always enjoy the fact that we
do not have to share our bathroom with ten other people.
And it is a tremendous luxury being able to drink out of
the tap. Like other people, I often ask myself whether I
really need something, or not. I get a bad conscience when
I buy too much, and have to throw food away. It is
completely against my principles to waste things.
Furthermore, need to bear in mind: it should never be
taken for granted that we live in a country in which a
woman can go strolling in the forest on her own, without
fear. This sense of security means quality of life.
You are fond of animals, and are the patron of the
Liechtenstein Animal Welfare Association. A few
months ago, a dachshund puppy joined your family,
and accompanied you to this interview. Has Tipsy
turned the castle on its head?
Tipsy has of course brought new life into the family. But,
fortunately, she is a very decorous hound. Admittedly, we
had to take certain “security measures”. For example,
dachshunds are not supposed to run up and down stairs;
it’s bad for their backs. So she is often carried around,
which she enjoys enormously. Tipsy was part of a
dachshund litter born to my sister’s dog. In fact, we never
actually wanted a dog ourselves. But at the end of the day,
I simply couldn’t resist.
Tipsy has now become your constant companion?
Tipsy accompanies me, whenever possible – including
during the holidays. I really enjoy her company. A friend
of mine once said to me, in jest: “The last child always
wears fur” … there’s something in that. (laughs)
Let us turn to a different subject altogether. As a
descendant of the Stuarts, you are seen by Jacobites as
a pretender to the British throne. The last time a
member of that lineage claimed the throne was in the
18 th century – so no one is really expecting you to assert
your birthright. Or do you have a surprise up your
sleeve?
This story was never something we discussed at home,
and until I travelled to London with my school class, I had
not even heard about it. An acquaintance of my English
teacher once said to me: “But you’re a Stuart.” And I just
thought: what is he talking about? When I got back home,
I asked my parents. They found the whole thing hilarious,
and then explained the background to me. I can therefore
assure you, I shall not be asserting a claim to the British
throne.
You are a Duchess, while your husband is a Hereditary
Prince. This means you have a higher rank than your
consort. Did the title play a role when you first became
acquainted?
Not at all. The Noble House of Liechtenstein does not
define what ranks its members are permitted to marry.
While there are indeed certain rules for the Noble House
of Bavaria, these do not apply to female descendants.
10