H.S.H. Prince Franz Josef II. & Princess Gina Virtual Cache

Prince Franz Josef II was born on August 16, 1906, in Frauenthal Castle in Styria. He was the first son of Prince Alois of Liechtenstein and Archduchess Elisabeth Amalie of Austria. Emperor Franz Josef I was his godfather.

Regency in the Chaos of War
Prince Franz I. turned over the regency to him on March 30, 1938. Prince Franz I died on July 25 of the same year, and Prince Franz Josef II took over the leadership of the affairs of the country.

The oath of allegiance by the people of Liechtenstein to their new Prince took place on May 30, 1939. While the world was threatened by the turmoil of war caused by the Third Reich, this ceremony took on dual significance: the people emphatically demonstrated their commitment to independence under the leadership of the new Prince, Franz Josef II.

The first Princely Marriage in Liechtenstein
Prince Franz-Josef II w ed Countess Georgine of Wilczek in  1943. The couple had five children.

A strong Commitment to Liechtenstein
Prince Franz Josef II turned his attention entirely to keeping Liechtenstein out of World War Two. In ceremonious speeches and public messages, the reigning Prince fortified the inner unity and resistance of his people.

The first Princely Marriage in Liechtenstein
She wed Prince Franz Josef II of Liechtenstein in 1943. The wedding was held in Vaduz and the big event became an outward expression of the determined independence of the Liechtenstein population and its loyalty to the monarchy. It was the first time a Princely marriage had ever taken place in Liechtenstein.

Founder of the Liechtenstein Red Cross
When the war ended, Princess Gina played her part in easing the plight of refugees on the national border at Schaanwald, by helping to make soup and bathe children.

In 1945, the Liechtenstein Red Cross was founded on her initiative. Under the leadership of the Princess, who was the organization’s President until 1985, the Liechtenstein Red Cross initially undertook aid campaigns in the countries affected by the war. Later, it extended its sphere of activity to Liechtenstein itself.

Virtual Reward - 2017/2018

This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between August 24, 2017 and August 24, 2018. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards on the Geocaching Blog.

Source text & photo: fuerstenhaus.li (9.9.2017)