Liechtenstein changes rules to allow women to inherit principality's throne

Liechtenstein, a wealthy nation of 40,000 people that borders Switzerland and Austria, has an unusually powerful monarchy by European standards.

Of the roughly four dozen countries where royal families reign, two have wrestled this summer with questions of gender and succession in the modern era, taking starkly different approaches.Liechtenstein, a tiny nation of about 40,000 people wedged between Switzerland and Austria in the Alps, took one route: On Aug 15,

BERLIN (AP) -- Liechtenstein 's royal house said on Saturday that the tiny country's rules of succession will be changed so that a woman could in the

The move puts the principality in the majority among nearby nations with royal families.

The declaration was made on the national day of the central European country, which has a population of just 44,000.

Hereditary Prince Alois announced the change in his speech marking the country’s national day. He said it was approved on Wednesday by the necessary two-thirds majority of family members who can vote on such matters.

The change shouldn't affect the top of the line of Liechtenstein's royal house succession in the immediate future.

Hereditary Prince Alois announced the change in his speech marking the country's national day.

Hereditary Prince Alois announced the change in his speech marking the country's national day.

Hereditary Prince Alois announced the change in his speech marking the country’s national day.

Liechtenstein’s royal house says the tiny country’s rules of succession will be changed so that a woman could in the future inherit the principality’s throne

Liechtenstein’s royal house says the tiny country’s rules of succession will be changed so that a woman could in the future inherit the principality’s throne

Liechtenstein changes its rules to allow women to inherit the Alpine principality’s throne  AP News