Prince of Orange. Born Willem Batavus van Oranje-Nassau, the son of Willem IV van Oranje-Nassau, Prince of Orange and Anne, Princess Royal of Great Britain. He succeeded at the age of three upon the death of his father in 1751 under the regency of his mother until her death in 1759, and then his grandmother until her death in 1765, and Ludwig Ernst von Brunswick-Lüneburg-Bevern. He married Friederike Sophie Wihelmine Prinzessin von Prussia, a niece of Frederick the Great in October 1767. The couple produced at least five children, three of whom survived to adulthood. During the American Revolution, he lead the pro-English faction within the government despite the official position of neutrality. He blocked attempts by pro-revolutionary, and later pro-French, elements to push the nation into the conflict. In 1795 the country was invaded and annexed by France during the reign of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. William fled to England. The principality of the Seven United Provinces was abolished by the victorious French. He gained the title of Prince Willem of Fulda and Count of Corvey in 1802. He died in exile at age 58 and was buried in Brunswick Cathedral by his daughter. In 1958 he was transferred to the Royal Vault
Prince of Orange. Born Willem Batavus van Oranje-Nassau, the son of Willem IV van Oranje-Nassau, Prince of Orange and Anne, Princess Royal of Great Britain. He succeeded at the age of three upon the death of his father in 1751 under the regency of his mother until her death in 1759, and then his grandmother until her death in 1765, and Ludwig Ernst von Brunswick-Lüneburg-Bevern. He married Friederike Sophie Wihelmine Prinzessin von Prussia, a niece of Frederick the Great in October 1767. The couple produced at least five children, three of whom survived to adulthood. During the American Revolution, he lead the pro-English faction within the government despite the official position of neutrality. He blocked attempts by pro-revolutionary, and later pro-French, elements to push the nation into the conflict. In 1795 the country was invaded and annexed by France during the reign of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. William fled to England. The principality of the Seven United Provinces was abolished by the victorious French. He gained the title of Prince Willem of Fulda and Count of Corvey in 1802. He died in exile at age 58 and was buried in Brunswick Cathedral by his daughter. In 1958 he was transferred to the Royal Vault
Bio by: Iola
Family Members
Advertisement
See more of Orange memorials in:
Records on Ancestry
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
