As heads of state gathered in Belgium for a summit, there were meetings, speeches and photo calls. And in the middle of them all was a princess who, in another life, might be getting ready to take the throne of Great Britain. Two centuries ago, King Charles might well have been looking over his shoulder. Now, this claim is really a matter of history. In fact, the royal in question isn’t even that well known outside the country she now calls home. Enter Princess Sophie of Liechtenstein.
Sophie is second in line to the British throne according to the Jacobite Succession, the alternative line of rulers that has taken shape since King James II was deposed in 1688. James lost his crown for a number of reasons. He wasn’t that good at reigning but he was also a Catholic at a time when the ruling classes were decidedly Protestant. He was removed in favour of his Protestant daughter but despite going into exile, he never lost hope of regaining his throne. That claim was passed down to his son and grandson who both took a tilt at taking the crown. Their supporters, the Jacobites, also kept the claim going. And even when the direct line from James II died out, the alternative royal succession didn’t.
It just passed to other parts of the family and now rests with Franz, Duke of Bavaria who, according to the Jacobite Succession, could be King Francis II of Great Britain (King Francis I has already reigned, you just missed it, it was early 19th century in this alternate royal reality). Franz has no children so his heir is his brother, Max. And Max’s heir is the eldest of his five daughters – Sophie. Which means that the Princess of Liechtenstein is number two on the list of Jacobite successors.
To be fair, Sophie and her family have always said they have absolutely no intention whatsoever of pursuing the claim. Support for the Jacobite Succession has also petered out from its heyday when challenges from the Stuarts were big problems for the British throne.
Besides, there’s the small problem of Britain’s succession laws to get around. Catholics still aren’t allowed to take the throne, the only faith group barred from succeeding. Although it might seem an anachronism in the 21st century, Princess Sophie could be stopped in her tracks from any potential claim by the Prime Minster waving the law at her.
Sophie is pretty busy, anyway. Her husband Prince Alois, has been regent of Liechtenstein for almost twenty years and she was at the meeting of the Heads of State of German Speaking countries as he continued his duties.
A twist for the history books.
Lydia Starbuck is a pen name of June Woolerton who has written extensively on royal history. Her book, A History of Royal Jubilees, is available now. She is also the author of a popular cosy mystery, All Manner of Murder.
