Johann II, Prince of Liechtenstein

Johann II was the elder son of Aloys II, Prince of Liechtenstein and Countess Franziska Kinsky of Wchinitz and Tettau. He ascended to the throne shortly after his 18th birthday, and as such his reign is the longest precisely documented tenure of any European monarch since antiquity in which a regent (that is, a regent of a minority regency) was never employed;[1] his mother did act as his regent from 10 February 1859 to November 1860,[2][3] but she was not the head of a minor regency, but appointed by her son to fulfill his duties because he wished to finish his education before beginning his rule.

Rama IX of Thailand exceeded this reign by just 35 days.

In 1862, Johann II issued Liechtenstein's first constitution. Later, after Liechtenstein left the German confederation in 1866 and after World War I, Johann II granted a new constitution in 1921. It granted considerable political rights to common Liechtensteiners, the latter making the principality a constitutional monarchy. This constitution survives today but with revisions, most notably in 2003.

Liechtenstein left the German Confederation in 1866. Not long after, the army of Liechtenstein was abolished as it was regarded as an unnecessary expense.

Johann II somewhat cooled relations with Liechtenstein's traditional ally, Austria-Hungary and its successor states, to forge closer relations with Switzerland, particularly after World War I. Liechtenstein was neutral during World War I, but the war broke Liechtenstein's alliance with Austria-Hungary and led it to go into a customs union with Switzerland. Late in Johann's reign, in 1924, the Swiss franc became Liechtenstein's official currency.[4]

Johann II added much to the Liechtenstein Princely Collections. Although considered a prominent patron of the arts and sciences during his long reign,[5] Johann II was also considered to be rather unsociable and did not participate in social events. He never married or had any children, like several other members of his family.[6]

Between 1905–1920, Schloss Vaduz was renovated and expanded. Prince Johann II did not live in the castle or even Liechtenstein, though his successors would eventually move there in 1938. Schloss Vaduz would be their home.

Upon his death in 1929, Johann II was succeeded by his brother Franz I.

• Grand Cross of the Royal Guelphic Order, 1860 (Kingdom of Hanover)[7]
• Knight of the Golden Fleece, 1862 (Austrian Empire)[8]
• Grand Cross of St. Stephen, 1896 (Austria-Hungary)[9]
• Knight of St. Hubert, 1882 (Kingdom of Bavaria)[10]
• Bailiff Grand Cross of Honour and Devotion (Sovereign Military Order of Malta)[11]

• Works by or about Johann II, Prince of Liechtenstein at Internet Archive
• Princely House of Liechtenstein