Prince Joseph Wenzel Maximilian Maria was born on 24 May 1995 at the Portland Hospital for Women and Children in the West End of London. He is the eldest child of Prince Alois and his wife Duchess Sophie in Bavaria. He has three younger siblings: Princess Marie-Caroline (born 1996), Prince Georg (born 1999) and Prince Nikolaus (born 2000). Joseph Wenzel is named in honour of his ancestor Joseph Wenzel, the reigning Prince of Liechtenstein from 1712 to 1718 and again from 1748 to 1772. His name Maximilian is in honour of his maternal grandfather, Prince Max, Duke in Bavaria, and his paternal uncle and godfather, Prince Maximilian of Liechtenstein. In accordance with the custom of several Roman Catholic dynasties in Europe, including that of both his parents, he was given the name Maria in honour of the Virgin Mary.