Karl of Liechtenstein was elevated in 1608 to the hereditary rank of Prince and was therefore the first Prince of Liechtenstein.

Prince Johann Adam Andreas acquired the Lordship of Schellenberg in 1699 and the County of Vaduz in 1712. In 1719, Emperor Karl VI united Vaduz and Schellenberg and elevated them to the rank of Imperial Principality of Liechtenstein, establishing the Principality of Liechtenstein.

Until 1938, the Princes of Liechtenstein lived in Vienna and Moravia. They held important positions in the military and diplomacy of the Habsburg Monarchy and administrated their extensive properties in Lower Austria, Bohemia, Silesia and Moravia.

In 1938, Prince Franz Joseph II was the first Prince to reside in Liechtenstein.