Karl I, Prince of Liechtenstein

Karl I was the first member of the House of Liechtenstein to become Prince of the Holy Roman Empire, but only as an honorary title, since the Liechtenstein family did not yet possess any territory with semi-sovereignty (Landeshoheit) within the Holy Roman Empire. Karl was the elder son of Hartmann II, Baron of Liechtenstein and his wife, Countess Anna Maria of Ortenburg. Emperor Rudolf II of the Holy Roman Empire appointed Karl as chief intendant (Obersthofmeister), an important position at his court. Karl held this position until 1607. He became a Catholic in 1599.