Hereditary Prince Alois is the eldest son of Prince Hans-Adam II and Princess Marie. He is destined to succeed to the throne. Since August 15, 2004, he has performed the duties of Head of State of the Principality of Liechtenstein as his father's deputy.
The Hereditary Prince was given the name Alois in memory of his great-grandfather, Prince Alois of Liechtenstein. Hereditary Prince Alois spent his youth at Vaduz Castle. He attended elementary school in Vaduz-Ebenholz and in 1979 entered the Liechtenstein Gymnasium, from which he graduated in the spring of 1987 with a Matura in literary history.
He then entered the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst in Great Britain, where he completed officer training. After graduating as a second lieutenant, he served for six months with the Coldstream Guards in Hong Kong and London.
In 1988, Hereditary Prince Alois enrolled at the University of Salzburg. He completed his law studies in 1993 with a master's degree. From September 1993 to May 1996 he worked for an auditing company in London. Subsequently, he worked for various areas of the princely estate.
In preparation for his succession to the throne, Prince Hans-Adam II appointed his first-born son as his Deputy on August 15, 2004, in accordance with Article 13bis of the Constitution of the Principality of Liechtenstein. The Hereditary Prince thus performs the duties of the Head of State of the Principality of Liechtenstein both nationally and internationally.
On 3 July 1993, Hereditary Prince Alois married Duchess Sophie in Bavaria. They are the parents of four children:
Prince Joseph Wenzel, born 24 May 1995
Princess Marie Caroline, born 17 October 1996
Prince Georg, born 20 April 1999
Prince Nikolaus, born 6 December 2000
