Wilhelmina of Prussia, Princess of Orange

Friederike Sophie Wilhelmine of Prussia ( * August 7, 1751 in Berlin, † June 9, 1820 at Het Loo Palace, Apeldoorn ) was a Prussian princess and by marriage Erbstatthalterin the Netherlands.

Life

Wilhelmina was the only daughter of Prince August Wilhelm of Prussia (1722-1758) from his marriage to Luise Amalie (1722-1780), daughter of Duke Ferdinand Albrecht II of Brunswick -Wolfenbüttel and thus a sister of the Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm II

Wilhelmine married on October 4, 1767 in Berlin, Prince William V of Orange, Stadtholder of the Netherlands ( 1748-1806 ). The marriage was negotiated at the behest of her uncle, Frederick II, through which since 1763 because as a Prussian envoy in the Netherlands Friedrich Wilhelm von Thule Meier. With her Uncle Frederick the Great, whose favorite niece she was, she led a years of extensive correspondence with political content. Based on his advice, she tried to gain political influence in the Netherlands.

William V of Orange came in the 1780s, increasingly in political conflicts with the local patriot movement. This strengthened democratic forces after the disastrous for the Netherlands end of the fourth English- Dutch War (1780-1784) and Wilhelm was deposed as captain-general of the province of Holland.

Wilhelmine end of June 1787 embarked on a provocative tour of Nijmegen, the seat of the Orange Court, The Hague, their former residence in Holland, in order to gather there followers. She was near Gouda - thus the now historic Goejanverwellesluis - barred the way. The princess was sent back after a short imprisonment after her was an officer, without the headgear decrease, beer and tobacco offered. Wilhelmine wanted for it with her brother satisfaction and Friedrich Wilhelm II took this as a pretext for a diplomatic ultimatum Prussia to the Netherlands. After Holland refused to follow this, it was occupied on September 13, 1787 by Karl Wilhelm Ferdinand at the top of a 20,000 -strong Prussian army and restored the power of the Orange governorship.

Wilhelmine called the capable Laurens Pieter van de Spiegel to the Grand Pensionary and sought further to political influence, which was spoken of the "party of the Princess ". The governor pair was sold in 1795 by the French and fled to England. William V. died in exile. Wilhelmine returned to the Netherlands in 1813 and 1815 witnessed the proclamation of her son to the King of the Netherlands.

Progeny

From their marriage Wilhelmine had the following children:

  • Son (* / † 1769)
  • Friederike Luise Wilhelmine (1770-1819)
  • Wilhelm I (1772-1843), King of the Netherlands
  • Friedrich (1774-1799)
Johann Georg Ziesenis William V, Prince of Orange Friedrich Wilhelm von Thulemeyer Patriots (faction) Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie Integrated Authority File
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