William III
King of the Netherlands Grand Duke of Luxembourg
Reign	1849-1890
Born	February 17, 1817
	Brussels
Died	November 23, 1890
	Het Loo, near Apeldoorn
Buried	Nieuwe Kerk, Delft
Predecessor	William II of the Netherlands
Successor	Wilhelmina of the Netherlands
Consort	Sophie of Württemberg Emma of Waldeck and Pyrmont
Issue	William Maurice Alexander Wilhemlmina
Royal House	House of Orange-Nassau
Father	William II of the Netherlands
Mother	Anna Pavlovna of Russia

William III, King of the Netherlands and Grand Duke of Luxembourg (William Alexander Paul Frederick Louis of Orange-Nassau) (Willem Alexander Paul Frederik Lodewijk van Oranje-Nassau, Koning der Nederlanden en Groothertog van Luxemburg in Dutch) (February 19, 1817 – November 23, 1890) was King of the Netherlands and Grand Duke of Luxembourg (1849–1890). Image File history File links 425px-WillemIIInl2. ... 1849 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... 1890 (MDCCCXC) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar). ... February 17 is the 48th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1817 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Nickname: The Capital Of Europe, Comic City City of a 100 Museums[] Map showing the location of Brussels in Belgium Coordinates: Country Belgium Region Brussels-Capital Region Founded 979 Founded (Region) June 18, 1989  - Mayor (Municipality) Freddy Thielemans Area    - City 162 (Region) km²  (62. ... November 23 is the 327th day of the year (328th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 38 days remaining. ... 1890 (MDCCCXC) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar). ... Het Loo and its gardens, more ambitious than they were actually executed, in an early 18th century engraving (watercolor added) The former royal residence Het Loo near Apeldoorn, Netherlands, was built starting in 1684 for the Stadtholder Willem, known to English-language readers as William III of Orange and his... Apeldoorn ( (help· info)) is a municipality and a town in the province of Gelderland, about 60 miles east of Amsterdam, in central Netherlands. ... Nieuwe Kerk, Delft Nieuwe Kerk is a landmark church in Delft, the Netherlands. ... Country Netherlands Province South Holland Coordinates Area 24. ... William II, King of the Netherlands and Grand Duke of Luxembourg (William Frederick George Louis) (December 6, 1792 – March 17, 1849) ruled from October 7, 1840 until his death on March 17, 1849. ... For other uses, see Wilhelmina (disambiguation). ... Queen Sophie of the Netherlands Sophia Frederika Mathilde van Württemberg (17 June 1818 – 3 June 1877) was the first wife of King William III of the Netherlands. ... Queen Emma of the Netherlands, born Her Serene Highness Princess Adelheid Emma Wilhelmina Theresia of Waldeck and Pyrmont (August 2, 1858 - March 20, 1934) was Queen consort of William III of the Netherlands of the Netherlands and Grand Duke of Luxembourg. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... For other uses, see Wilhelmina (disambiguation). ... The House of Orange-Nassau (in Dutch: Huis van Oranje-Nassau), a branch of the House of Nassau, has played a central role in the political life of the Netherlands since William I of Orange (also known as William the Silent and Father of the Fatherland) organized the Dutch revolt... William II, King of the Netherlands and Grand Duke of Luxembourg (William Frederick George Louis) (December 6, 1792 – March 17, 1849) ruled from October 7, 1840 until his death on March 17, 1849. ... Grand Duchess Anna Pavlovna of Russia (1795 - 1865). ... February 19 is the 50th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1817 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... November 23 is the 327th day of the year (328th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 38 days remaining. ... 1890 (MDCCCXC) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar). ... The title of Grand Duke (Latin, Magnus Dux; German, Großherzog, Russian, Великий князь) used in Slavic, Baltic, and Germanic countries, is ranked in honour below King but higher than a sovereign Duke (Herzog) or Prince (Fürst). ... 1849 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... 1890 (MDCCCXC) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar). ...

Early life

William was born in Brussels as son of William II of the Netherlands and Queen Anna, daughter of Tsar Paul I of Russia and Empress Maria Fyodorovna (Sophie Dorothea of Württemberg). In his early years, he served in the military. Nickname: The Capital Of Europe, Comic City City of a 100 Museums[] Map showing the location of Brussels in Belgium Coordinates: Country Belgium Region Brussels-Capital Region Founded 979 Founded (Region) June 18, 1989  - Mayor (Municipality) Freddy Thielemans Area    - City 162 (Region) km²  (62. ... William II, King of the Netherlands and Grand Duke of Luxembourg (William Frederick George Louis) (December 6, 1792 – March 17, 1849) ruled from October 7, 1840 until his death on March 17, 1849. ... Portrait of Jan Baptist van der Hulst, 1837. ... Monomakhs Cap symbol of Russian autocracy, the crown of Russian grand princes and tsars Czar and tzar redirect here. ... Paul I of Russia by Vladimir Borovikovsky Paul I of Russia (Russian: ; Pavel Petrovich) (October 1, 1754–March 23, 1801) was an Emperor of Russia (1796–1801). ... ...

He married his first cousin Sophie, daughter of King William I of Württemberg and Grand Duchess Catherine Pavlovna of Russia, in 1839. This marriage was unhappy and was characterized by struggles about their children. Sophie was a liberal intellectual, hating everything leaning toward dictatorship, such as the army. William was simpler, more conservative, and loved the military. He prohibited intellectual exercise at home, for which action Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, who corresponded with Sophie, called him an uneducated farmer. (His extramarital enthusiasms, however, led the New York Times to call him "the greatest debauchee of the age".) Another cause of marital tension (and later political tension) was his capriciousness; he could rage against someone one day, and be extremely polite the next. Queen Sophie of the Netherlands Sophia Frederika Mathilde van Württemberg (17 June 1818 – 3 June 1877) was the first wife of King William III of the Netherlands. ... William I of Württemberg (27 September 1781-25 June 1864) was King of Württemberg. ... 1839 (MDCCCXXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Queen Sophie of the Netherlands Sophia Frederika Mathilde van Württemberg (17 June 1818 – 3 June 1877) was the first wife of King William III of the Netherlands. ... Look up liberal on Wiktionary, the free dictionary Liberal may refer to: Politics: Liberalism American liberalism, a political trend in the USA Political progressivism, a political ideology that is for change, often associated with liberal movements Liberty, the condition of being free from control or restrictions Liberal Party, members of... Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria; 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901) was the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837, and the first Empress of India from 1 May 1876, until her death on 22 January 1901. ... Queen Sophie of the Netherlands Sophia Frederika Mathilde van Württemberg (17 June 1818 – 3 June 1877) was the first wife of King William III of the Netherlands. ... The New York Times is an internationally known daily newspaper published in New York City and distributed in the United States and many other nations worldwide. ...

William loathed the 1848 constitutional changes initiated by his father (William II) and Johan Rudolf Thorbecke. William II and Sophie saw them as key to the monarchy's survival in changing times. William himself saw them as useless limitations of royal power, and wished to govern like his grandfather, William I. Year 1848 (MDCCCXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a leap year starting on Monday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... William II, King of the Netherlands and Grand Duke of Luxembourg (William Frederick George Louis) (December 6, 1792 – March 17, 1849) ruled from October 7, 1840 until his death on March 17, 1849. ... Johan Rudolf Thorbecke (January 14, 1798 - June 4, 1872) was one of the most important Dutch politicians. ... Queen Sophie of the Netherlands Sophia Frederika Mathilde van Württemberg (17 June 1818 – 3 June 1877) was the first wife of King William III of the Netherlands. ... King William I of the Netherlands, born William Frederik of Orange-Nassau (The Hague, 24 August 1772 - Berlin, 12 December 1843), was the second King of the Netherlands (the first king was Louis I Napoleon Bonaparte). ...

Dutch Royalty House of Nassau (Orange branch) William I Children    William II    Prince Frederick    Princess Paulina    Marianne, Princess Albert of Prussia Grandchildren    Louise, Queen of Sweden and Norway    Prince William    Prince Frederick    Marie, Princess of Wied William II Children    William III    Prince Alexander    Prince Henry    Prince Ernest Casimir    Sophie, Grand Duchess of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach William III Children    William, Prince of Orange    Prince Maurice    Alexander, Prince of Orange    Wilhelmina Wilhelmina Children    Juliana Juliana Children    Beatrix    Princess Irene    Princess Margriet    Princess Christina Beatrix Children    Willem-Alexander, Prince of Orange    Prince Johan-Friso    Prince Constantijn Grandchildren    Princess Catharina-Amalia    Princess Alexia    Countess Luana    Countess Zaria    Countess Eloise    Count Claus-Casimir    Countess Leonore

He tried to relinquish his right to the throne to his younger brother Henry. His mother convinced him to cancel this action. One year later (1849) William became King upon the death of his father. The House of Orange-Nassau (in Dutch: Huis van Oranje-Nassau), a branch of the House of Nassau, has played a central role in the political life of the Netherlands since William I of Orange (also known as William the Silent and Father of the Fatherland) organized the Dutch revolt... Image File history File links Coat_of_arms_of_the_Netherlands. ... King William I of the Netherlands, born William Frederik of Orange-Nassau (The Hague, 24 August 1772 - Berlin, 12 December 1843), was the second King of the Netherlands (the first king was Louis I Napoleon Bonaparte). ... William II, King of the Netherlands and Grand Duke of Luxembourg (William Frederick George Louis) (December 6, 1792 – March 17, 1849) ruled from October 7, 1840 until his death on March 17, 1849. ... Princess Louise in 1859 Louise of the Netherlands, Vilhelmina Fredrika Alexandra Anna Lovisa, or Lovisa in Swedish, (The Hague, August 5, 1828 - March 30, 1871), was Queen of Sweden and Norway from 1859 and wife of Charles XV of Sweden from 1850. ... William II, King of the Netherlands and Grand Duke of Luxembourg (William Frederick George Louis) (December 6, 1792 – March 17, 1849) ruled from October 7, 1840 until his death on March 17, 1849. ... Henry the Navigator (1394-1460), prince of Portugal, noted as the patron of navigation and exploration, born in Oporto. ... Willem Nicolaas Alexander Frederik Karel Hendrik van Oranje-Nassau (The Hague, 4 September 1840 – Paris, 11 June 1879) Prince of the Netherlands, Prince of Orange-Nassau, from 17 March 1849 Prince of Orange, and thus Crown Prince of the Netherlands. ... For other uses, see Wilhelmina (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Wilhelmina (disambiguation). ... Juliana Queen of the Netherlands Queen Juliana of the Netherlands (Juliana Emma Louise Wilhelmina van Oranje-Nassau) (April 30, 1909 – March 20, 2004), Princess of Orange-Nassau, Duchess of Mecklenburg, Princess of Lippe-Biesterfeld, was Queen of the Netherlands from her mothers abdication in 1948 to her own abdication... Juliana Queen of the Netherlands Queen Juliana of the Netherlands (Juliana Emma Louise Wilhelmina van Oranje-Nassau) (April 30, 1909 – March 20, 2004), Princess of Orange-Nassau, Duchess of Mecklenburg, Princess of Lippe-Biesterfeld, was Queen of the Netherlands from her mothers abdication in 1948 to her own abdication... Queen Beatrix (I) of the Netherlands (born as Beatrix Wilhelmina Armgard van Oranje-Nassau, Prinses der Nederlanden, Prinses van Oranje-Nassau, Prinses van Lippe-Biesterfeld) (born January 31, 1938), has been the Queen regnant of the Kingdom of the Netherlands since April 30, 1980. ... Princess Irene Emma Elisabeth of the Netherlands (born August 5, 1939), Princess of Orange-Nassau, Princess of Lippe-Biesterfeld, is the second child of then Princess Juliana of the Netherlands (later Queen Juliana) and Prince Bernhard, a former prince of Lippe-Biesterfeld. ... Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet Francisca of the Netherlands (born January 19, 1943), Princess of Orange-Nassau, Princess of Lippe-Biesterfeld, is the third daughter of Princess Juliana of the Netherlands and Prince Bernhard, the former Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld. ... Princess Christina of the Netherlands (born February 18, 1947), Princess of Oranje-Nassau, Princess of Lippe-Biesterfeld, is the youngest of Queen Juliana’s four daughters. ... Queen Beatrix (I) of the Netherlands (born as Beatrix Wilhelmina Armgard van Oranje-Nassau, Prinses der Nederlanden, Prinses van Oranje-Nassau, Prinses van Lippe-Biesterfeld) (born January 31, 1938), has been the Queen regnant of the Kingdom of the Netherlands since April 30, 1980. ... Prince Willem-Alexander, Prince of Orange, (Willem-Alexander Claus George Ferdinand van Oranje-Nassau, Prins van Oranje, Prins der Nederlanden, Prins van Oranje-Nassau, Jonkheer van Amsberg, born at April 27, 1967) is the eldest son of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and is the heir apparent to the Dutch... Prince Johan-Friso His Highness Johan Friso Bernhard Christiaan David, Prince of Orange-Nassau, Count of Orange-Nassau, Jonkheer of Amsberg (born September 25, 1968), is the second son of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and Prince Claus von Amsberg. ... His Royal Highness Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands (Constantijn Christof Frederick Aschwin), Prince of Orange-Nassau, Jonkheer of Amsberg, (born October 11, 1969), is the third and youngest son of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and Claus von Amsberg. ... Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands, Princess of Orange-Nassau (Catharina-Amalia Beatrix Carmen Victoria prinses der Nederlanden, prinses van Oranje-Nassau, in English, Catherine Amelia Beatrice Carmen Victoria), (born December 7, 2003, at the Bronovo Hospital in The Hague), is the first child of Crown Prince Willem-Alexander of... HRH Princess Alexia of the Netherlands a few hours after she was born. ... Emma Luana Ninette Sophie van Oranje-Nassau van Amsberg (born March 26, 2005), Countess of Orange-Nassau, Jonkvrouwe van Amsberg, is the child of Prince Friso of Orange-Nassau, Jonkheer van Amsberg and Princess Mabel of Orange-Nassau born Wisse Smit. ... Joanna Zaria Nicoline Milou van Oranje-Nassau van Amsberg (born June 18, 2006), Countess of Orange-Nassau, Jonkvrouwe van Amsberg, is the second child of Prince Friso of Orange-Nassau, Jonkheer van Amsberg and Princess Mabel of Orange-Nassau born Wisse Smit. ... Her Excellency Countess Eloise Beatrix Sophie Laurence of Orange-Nassau (born 8 June 2002 in The Hague), Jonkvrouw of Amsberg, is the first child of Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands and Princess Laurentien, née Laurentien Brinkhorst. ... Claus-Casimir Bernhard Marius Max van Oranje-Nassau van Amsberg (born 21 March 2004 at Bronovo Hospital in The Hague), Count of Orange-Nassau, Jonkheer van Amsberg, is the son of Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands, Prince of Orange-Nassau, Jonkheer van Amsberg and Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands, n... De hooggeboren vrouwe (The highborn lady) Leonore Marie Irene Enrica van Oranje-Nassau van Amsberg (born 3 June 2006 in Bronovo hospital in The Hague), Countess of Orange-Nassau, Jonkvrouwe van Amsberg, is the third child of Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands, Prince of Orange-Nassau, Jonkheer van Amsberg and... Henry the Navigator (1394-1460), prince of Portugal, noted as the patron of navigation and exploration, born in Oporto. ... 1849 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ...

Reign

William repeatedly contemplated abdicating as soon as his son turned eighteen. This occurred in 1858, but as William was uncomfortable making a decision he remained King. His first act was the inauguration of the parliamentary cabinet of Thorbecke, the liberal designer of the 1848 constitution, whom William loathed. 1858 (MDCCCLVIII) is a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ...

Silver 2½ Guilder Coin of William III, struck in 1854. The obverse Dutch inscription is WILLEM III KONING DER NED[ERLANDEN] G[ROOTHERTOG] H. V[AN] LUXEMBURG or in English, "William III, King of the Netherlands and Grand Duke of Luxembourg." The reverse Dutch inscription is MUNT VAN HET KONINGRYK DER NEDERLANDEN, or in English, "Currency of the Kingdom of the Netherlands."

When the Catholic hierarchy of bishops was restored in 1853 he found a reason to dismiss his rival. In the first two decades of his reign he dismissed several cabinets and disbanded the States-General several times, installing royal cabinets which ruled briefly as there was no support in elected parliament. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (999x500, 257 KB) A silver coin of William III, amounting to 2½ guilders, dated 1857. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (999x500, 257 KB) A silver coin of William III, amounting to 2½ guilders, dated 1857. ... Two bishops assist at the Exhumation of Saint Hubert, who was a bishop too, at the église Saint-Pierre in Liège. ... 1853 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... The Estates-General (Staten-Generaal) is the parliament of the Netherlands. ...

He tried to sell the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in 1867. The attempt nearly caused a war between Prussia and France, and helped make Luxembourg a fully-independent country. 1867 (MDCCCLXVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Coat of Arms of the Kingdom of Prussia, 1701-1918 Prussia (German: ; Latin: Borussia, Prutenia; Lithuanian: ; Polish: ; Old Prussian: Prūsa) was, most recently, a historic state originating in East Prussia, an area which for centuries had substantial influence on German and European history. ...

William was popular with the ordinary people, presenting himself as a cordial man.

In 1877 Sophie died and years of war in the palace came to an end. In 1879 William decided to marry Princess Emma of Waldeck and Pyrmont, a small German principality. Some politicians were quite angry, as she was 41 years the king's junior. Emma showed herself, however, as a cordial woman; and when William asked permission from parliament, this was easily granted and the couple were quickly married. She was not his first choice. He had previously been rejected by her sister, Princess Pauline of Waldeck and Pyrmont, as well as Princess Thyra of Denmark, a sister of England's Princess of Wales (later Queen Alexandra). 1877 (MDCCCLXXVII) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... 1879 (MDCCCLXXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Adelheid Emma Wilhelmina Theresia (August 2, 1858 - March 20, 1934) was Queen Consort to William III of the Netherlands from 1879 to 1890, Queen Regent from 1890 to 1898, and Queen Mother from 1890 to 1934 The future Queen Emma of the Netherlands was born in Arolsen (Germany) on 2... Waldeck (or later Waldeck-Pyrmont) was a sovereign principality in what is now Lower Saxony and Hesse (Germany). ... A principality is a monarchical feudatory or sovereign state, ruled or reigned over by a Monarch with the title of prince or princess (a synonym is princedom) or (in the widest sense) a Monarch with another title within the generic use of the term prince. ... Thyra of Denmark (September 29, 1853 - February 26, 1933) was the youngest daughter of Christian IX of Denmark and Luise of Hesse-Kassel. ... This page is about the wife of Edward VII of the United Kingdom. ...

Emma had a relieving influence on William's capricious personality and the marriage was extremely happy. The last decade was without any doubt the best of his reign. In 1880, Wilhelmina was born. She became heiress in 1884 after the death of the last remaining son from William's first marriage. Many potential heirs had died between 1878 and 1884, and the tomb in the Nieuwe Kerk in Delft was never opened so many times in history. Year 1880 (MDCCCLXXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar). ... For other uses, see Wilhelmina (disambiguation). ... 1884 (MDCCCLXXXIV) is a leap year starting on Tuesday (click on link to calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Thursday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... 1878 (MDCCCLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Nieuwe Kerk is also the name of various other churches, such as the Nieuwe Kerk in Delft. ... Country Netherlands Province South Holland Coordinates Area 24. ...

William became seriously ill in 1887. He died in 1890. Because Wilhelmina had not yet reached adulthood, Emma became Queen regent for her daughter. She would remain Queen regent until Wilhelmina's eighteenth birthday in 1898. Because the Luxembourg grand duchy could only be inherited through the male line at the time, under Salic law, it went to Adolphe, the former Duke of Nassau. 1887 (MDCCCLXXXVII) is a common year starting on Saturday (click on link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar. ... 1890 (MDCCCXC) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar). ... The King of the Franks, in the midst of the military chiefs who formed his Treuste -- or armed court, dictates the Salic Law (Code of the Barbaric Laws). ... Grand Duke Adolphe of Luxembourg, Adolph Wilhelm August Karl Friedrich of Nassau-Weilburg (July 24, 1817 – November 17, 1905) was the last Duke of Nassau, and the fourth Grand Duke of Luxembourg. ... Nassau was a German state within the Holy Roman Empire and later in the German Confederation. ...

Children

Of William III's children, only three reached adulthood, two sons from his marriage to Queen Sophie and one daughter from his marriage to Queen Emma: A style of office, or honorific, is a form of address which by tradition or law precedes a reference to a person who holds a title or post, or to the political office itself. ... Majesty is an English word rooting in the Latin Maiestas, meaning literally,Greatness. ...

• Willem (1840-1879). Heir to the Throne from 1849 till his death.
• Willem Alexander (1851-1884). Heir to the Throne from 1879 till his death.
• Wilhelmina (1880 - 1962).