oho #3 - The magazine of the Principality of Liechtenstein

oho#3
You are now the mother of four children. Many people
believe that aristocratic children grow up in a castle
completely differently to “normal citizens”. Is the dayto-day
family life of the Princely Family really so
different?
Our children are growing up essentially the same way as
all other children in Liechtenstein. They attend school,
are able to invite their friends back to the castle, and can
visit them in their own homes too. There is no special
status.
Your son Prince Wenzel is the heir to Liechtenstein’s
throne. Did your son’s preparation for his future role
entail a special education, even as a child?
As a child, Wenzel had exactly the same education as his
siblings. We often discuss politics and history in our
family, however. Wenzel is now aged 21, and is studying
law. When he is in Liechtenstein he spends a great deal of
time with his father, who informs him about certain
matters and responsibilities. This means he is gradually
growing into his future role.
What values would you like to pass on to your
children?
For me, faith is very important. I hope that we exemplify
this through our own lives, and convey this to our
children accordingly. This gives rise to other values such
as decency, honesty as well as social awareness. In my
view, one of the greatest challenges when it comes to
children’s education is the need to impart a sense of
modest restraint, the ability to delay gratifications. We
live in an age in which wishes are proverbially satisfied at
the click of a mouse. A book or a song is just one click
away – right around the clock. Yet being able to wait for
something is very important.
What sort of books do you like to read?
All genres, from history, through politics and religion to
travelogues – although I have to confess I do not much
like travelling myself.
You don’t like travelling? That is an unusual thing to
say.
I find travelling stressful. When we are on the road with
the family, there are so many things I need to think about
and so much to organise. Unpacking – packing. Things
are much more relaxed at home. The one exception is my
parents’ holiday house in Portugal; I like going there. But
that doesn’t really have anything to do with travel, in the
strictest sense. It is more a change of location, as I feel
completely at home there too.
Do you have an undeclared wish you would like to fulfil
one day?
At the moment, to be perfectly honest, I am happy just the
way things are. Maybe this is because I am by nature not
inclined to worry about “what if…” scenarios. Now is the
time to get things done. And I find my social
responsibilities very fulfilling.
And what would you like your children to say about
you, one day?
I hope that my children will say that their mother was
always there for them, and had an open ear for their
worries and concerns.
How does a Hereditary Princess relax after performing
social duties and meeting her responsibilities as a
mother?
I like to recharge my batteries in the countryside, or by
reading. At the moment, thanks to Tipsy, walks are very
much the order of the day. Perhaps that was one of the
reasons we got the dog. For until recently, it had become
increasingly difficult to find the time to go on walks.
Now I actually have to go out. There are no more
excuses.
11