Women were barred from Liechtenstein’s throne for 400 years; new rule lets the firstborn inherit regardless of gender

Several European nations have female leaders next in line for the throne, but one of them has recently initiated the norm. Liechtenstein has become the latest country to amend its royal rules and allow women to take the throne. During its national day celebrations on Saturday, August 15, the country announced the change.“The order of succession is being changed from male primogeniture to absolute primogeniture,” the House of Liechtenstein said in a statement. “This means that in future the first-born child, regardless of sex, will become heir to the throne and later princess or prince of Liechtenstein.”The decision will not affect the current leadership of the nation of just 44,00 people. Liechtenstein is a tiny, doubly landlocked country tucked away between Switzerland and Austria, whose ruler enjoys sweeping political powers, unlike many of his counterparts in Europe. The current ruler is Prince Hans-Adam II, 81, who has been the head of the royal family since 1989. On Liechtenstein's national day 22 years ago, August 15, 2004, Prince Hans-Adam named his eldest child, Hereditary Prince Alois, as his regent. This means that, for the past two decades, Prince Alois, 58, has overseen...