But when prospective sellers, including German Prince Michael zu Salm-Salm, checked, they learned Shapiro had no operations, no cash reserves and a pool of private stock of unpersuasive value, says Bowthorpe.

FORBES: Corkscrewed

In response, the country's head - Prince Alois von und zu Liechtenstein - has argued that Germany's move is illegal.

BBC: RELATED BBC SITES

That evening, Prince Hans-Adam II and his wife, Princess Marie von und zu Liechtenstein, invited the Secretary-General and Madam Ban to dinner at their residence, Vaduz Castle.

UN: Secretary-General