Hereditary Prince Alois is the eldest son of Prince Hans-Adam II and Princess Marie. He is destined to succeed to the throne. Since 15 August 2004, he has performed the duties of Head of State of the Principality of Liechtenstein as his father's deputy.

The Hereditary Prince was given the name Alois in memory of his great-grandfather, Prince Alois of Liechtenstein. Hereditary Prince Alois spent his youth at Vaduz Castle. He attended primary school in Vaduz-Ebenholz and in 1979 entered the Liechtenstein Gymnasium, which he completed in spring 1987 with the Matura in literary history.

He then entered the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst in Great Britain. After qualifying as a second lieutenant, he served for six months with the Coldstream Guards in Hong Kong and London.