The heads of state of the German speaking countries in Europe met in Liechtenstein for an informal gathering by invitation of Hereditary Prince Alois and his wife Hereditary Princess Sophie. Apart from the Liechtenstein royal couple there were other royals present as well.
Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg and the King and the Queen of the Belgians, Philip and Mathilde, travelled to the tiny Principality, sandwiched between the river Rhine, Switzerland and Austria. The presidents of Liechtenstein's neighbors and Germany's President Joachim Gauck also attended.
Prince Alois welcomed his royal and presidential guest to Vaduz Castle, high above the tiny capital of his country. Alois has been overseeing the daily administration of Liechtenstein since 2004, when his father Prince (Fürst) Hans Adam went into semi-retirement, although he remained head of state.
The meeting had the European migration and refugee crises as one of its main topics, along with digitization and the labor market. Tthere was also an excursion to the Liechtenstein Art Museum, and a meeting with Liechtenstein politicians. Next year's meeting will be hosted by King Philip in Belgium.
© RB; Photos by © Roland Korner / Close Up AG / tous droits réservés; via GDL & BM
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