Her Royal Highness Hereditary Princess Sophia of Liechtenstein, Your Royal Highness, what memories of your childhood and your family have shaped your commitment to philanthropy?
«I grew up in a privileged environment and realised at a young age that there was another normality. This awareness contributed to my involvement in social, charitable and cultural projects. This was something that my parents always supported me in».
Could you describe some of the stages in your life? What made you passionate about art, culture and philanthropy as a child?
«My father is very musical, he loves opera and got us children excited about it. He often told us about the first performances after the war in the Prinzregententheater in Munich, before the Bavarian State Opera was rebuilt. As children, we regularly went to opera and ballet performances there with our parents, and it was an experience every time».
Who were your most influential role models in philanthropy and how did they influence your work?
«My husband’s grandmother, Princess Gina, was just as much a role model for me with her commitment to social and charitable work as my mother-in-law, Princess Marie. Princess Gina founded the Liechtenstein Red Cross in 1945, the same year that my mother-in-law and her family had to flee what was then Czechoslovakia. The effects of the Second World War left their mark on both of them and led them to spend many years helping people in need. Princess Marie later took over the presidency of the Liechtenstein Red Cross from her mother-in-law and she handed it over to me almost ten years ago».
What personal experiences have strengthened your decision to dedicate yourself to philanthropy?
«I have admired both princesses for their personal, great and long-standing commitment to our society and have joined this social tradition of our family out of conviction. It is also in line with the family’s philosophy of making a long-term and sustainable contribution to the development of our country’s society».
What specific areas do you focus on in your philanthropic activities?
«I am particularly interested in social and charitable work. Protecting the family is very important to me. In principle, I like to have specific projects that I can pursue over a longer period of time and with which I can also achieve something concrete. Helping quietly is a principle that I pursue as far as possible».
Are there any projects or initiatives that you have adopted from your family that you find particularly inspiring?
«In the spirit of the social tradition mentioned above, I not only lead the Liechtenstein Red Cross out of conviction, but am also involved, for example, in the pregnancy counselling service schwanger.li for expectant or single young mothers. These experiences also gave rise to the ‘Family Network Liechtenstein’, a prevention project that supports and accompanies parents with children aged 0-5 in stressful life situations».
How difficult is it to make decisions in philanthropy as a hereditary princess?
«Of course, it is not always easy to choose the right thing to do from everything that comes my way. There are many impressive stories, even in wealthy Liechtenstein, but there are also many opportunities to take preventative action. But I don’t make decisions alone; as I mentioned, I have a local network with whom I can discuss requests and/or challenging situations».
What challenges do you see in philanthropic work?
«In the social and charitable sector, in which I am mainly involved, volunteer work is another key challenge in addition to securing funds. We do have well-developed social facilities and services in Liechtenstein. But our society is changing rapidly and many people find it difficult to keep up with these changes. As a result, there are still tasks that require unbureaucratic, human skills and commitment to solve, and there are fates that can hardly be alleviated without the work of volunteers».
How important is Liechtenstein as a centre for philanthropy?
«The tradition of supporting socially or health-related disadvantaged or burdened people is deeply rooted not only in our family, but throughout Liechtenstein. There are many families and companies that work in the background to make lasting contributions to improving such situations. I am convinced that this attitude is part of our country’s culture. It fills me with pride and that is why I am personally committed to it».
What are your long-term goals and visions for your philanthropic work?
«As in many areas of life, it is important to ensure that the succession plan for important social and charitable support functions is prepared in good time. It is my responsibility to one day be able to place the continuation of my commitments in new, capable hands».
