If I remember right, the current Princes of Liechtenstein basically bought the current country under a similar concept. The original Liechtenstein was a castle

If I remember right, the current Princes of Liechtenstein basically bought the current country under a similar concept. The original Liechtenstein was a castle in Austria. The family shopped around for some land that was held directly from the Holy Roman Emperor, rather than through some intermediate feudal lord, and bought it. That gave them statehood within the Holy Roman Empire, and raised the head of the house to the status of Prince. They didn't even visit the current Liechtenstein for many years -- it was basically a flag of convenience.