The House of Orange-Nassau

A History of the Dutch Royal Family

The House of Orange-Nassau is the Dutch royal family. It was founded in 1544 by William the Silent, who led the Dutch Revolt against Spanish rule. The House of Orange-Nassau has ruled the Netherlands for most of its history, and its members have also been monarchs of England, Scotland, and Ireland.

The Early Years

William the Silent was born in Dillenburg, Germany, in 1533. He was a Protestant, and he opposed the Catholic rule of the Spanish Habsburgs. In 1568, he led the Dutch Revolt against Spanish rule. The revolt lasted for 80 years, and it ended with the Dutch Republic gaining its independence in 1648.

The Golden Age

The Dutch Republic was a major power in the 17th century. It was a center of trade and culture, and it produced some of the world's most famous artists and scientists. The House of Orange-Nassau played a major role in the Dutch Golden Age. Maurice of Nassau, William the Silent's son, was a brilliant military commander who led the Dutch to victory in the Eighty Years' War. Frederick Henry, Maurice's brother, was a patron of the arts and sciences. He founded the University of Leiden and the Mauritshuis art museum.

The 19th and 20th Centuries

The House of Orange-Nassau continued to rule the Netherlands in the 19th and 20th centuries. William I, who became king in 1815, introduced a constitutional monarchy to the Netherlands. William III, who reigned from 1849 to 1890, was the last male heir of the House of Orange-Nassau. He was succeeded by his daughter, Wilhelmina, who reigned from 1890 to 1948. Wilhelmina was succeeded by her daughter, Juliana, who reigned from 1948 to 1980. Juliana was succeeded by her daughter, Beatrix, who reigned from 1980 to 2013. Beatrix was succeeded by her son, Willem-Alexander, who is the current king of the Netherlands.