The Kings and Queens of the Netherlands
Dutch Rulers from King William I to Queen Beatrix
Jul 24, 2009
Since Prince William was named King of the Netherlands in 1813, the Dutch monarchy has grown under the Royal House of Orange-Nassau.
King William I (1772–1843)
Married Princess Frederika of Prussia, daughter of King Frederick William II of Prussia
Children: William II, Frederick, Pauline, Marianne
Reigned: 1813–1840
In 1813, William I was declared the first King of the Netherlands. He oversaw the formation of the Constitution and established a monarchical, centralized government. The Kingdom grew when other European countries granted the Netherlands the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the Southern Netherlands. Cultural and religious differences prevented an easy union with the Southern Netherlands, though, and in 1939 William finally accepted a separation with this territory that subsequently became the Kingdom of Belgium. He abdicated in 1840 and moved to Berlin.
King William II (1792–1849)
Married Grand Duchess Anna Pavlovna, daughter of Tsar Paul I of Russia
Children: William III, Alexander, Henry, Ernst Casimir, Sophie
Reigned: 1843–1849
In his youth, William II had accompanied Lord Wellington on several campaigns during the Napoleonic wars, earning him the accolade “Hero of Waterloo.” This king was popular and charming, though not a good political administrator, although he did oversee the reformation of the Constitution in 1848.
King William III (1817–1890)
Married 1st: Princess Sophia of Wurttemberg, daughter of King William I of Wurttemberg
Children: William, Henry, Alexander
Married 2nd: Princess Emma of Waldeck-Pyrmont, daughter of Reigning Prince George of Waldeck-Pyrmont
Child: Wilhelmina
Reigned: 1849–1890
King William oversaw the establishment of a parliamentary system in the Netherlands. Although he had three sons, they all predeceased him so he was succeeded by his daughter Wilhelmina.
Regency of Queen Emma (1858–1934)
Because Wilhelmina was only ten when her father died, her mother Queen Emma (1858–1934) served as regent until her daughter turned eighteen. Emma was very dedicated to her daughter’s education and wanted to present the monarchy to the Dutch as visible and dedicated to its people.
Queen Wilhelmina (1880–1962)
Married: Prince Henry, Duke of Mecklenburg
Child: Juliana
Reigned: 1898–1948
When Wilhelmina succeeded her father in 1890, Luxembourg passed to Adolphus, Duke of Nassau, because of a law that barred women from ruling this Grand Duchy. Wilhelmina reigned well and kept her power in the face of possible Socialist uprisings. She was exiled to London during WWII, and abdicated in 1948.
Queen Juliana (1909–2004)
Married: Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld
Children: Beatrix, Irene, Margriet, Maria Christina
Reigned: 1948–1980
During WWII, Juliana went to Canada with her children. As queen, Juliana sometimes came into conflict with her Ministers due to her personal and religious convictions. But her popularity with her subjects helped her during many personal crises during her reign. She abdicated in 1980.
Queen Beatrix (b.1938)
Married: Claus von Amsberg
Children: Willem-Alexander, Johan Friso, Constantijn
Reigned: 1980–
Throughout her reign, Beatrix has been a strong leader who has kept the monarch’s strong constitutional powers. In 1983, she oversaw a constitutional amendment that allows the eldest child of the monarch, regardless of gender, to inherit the throne.
Source:
Van Cruyningen, Arnout. The Dutch Royal Family. Wijchen, The Netherlands: A.J.P.H. van Cruyningen, 2007.
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