William IV, Prince of Orange

Wilhelm Carl Heinrich Friso ( born September 1 in 1711 in Leeuwarden, † October 22, 1751 in the Huis ten Bosch) was as Prince William IV of Orange and Nassau. In the years 1747-1751 he was hereditary governor of the United Provinces of the Netherlands.

Life

He was the son of Johann Wilhelm Friso, Prince of Nassau- Diez and governor of Friesland, and his wife Marie Louise of Hesse -Kassel. His father was drowned seven weeks before his birth in a boat crossing. The newborn was therefore already its heritage in Friesland and in the Principality of Nassau -Diez.

About his father he also had hereditary claims to the continental title and estates of deceased 1702 William III. of England, and in particular the Principality of Orange. Already in 1702 the paternal inheritance rights but of Frederick I of Prussia, and Prince Wilhelm Hyacinth were challenged by Nassau- Siegen, who raised himself claims to Orange. It was not until the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713 created a convention: the lands of the Principality of Orange, went to France and William the formal title of the Prince of Orange was awarded; He called himself Prince of Orange- Nassau and accordingly his principality Nassau to the seat of government Diez " Principality of Orange -Nassau ."

As in 1734 with Friedrich Wilhelm II became extinct line of Nassau-Siegen Wilhelm inherited the title and lands and assimilated it his principality of Orange- Nassau.

In 1747 he took over the office of the Dutch Erbstatthalters that since the death of William III. 1702 had been vacant.

Progeny

William IV married in 1734 Anne of England ( 1709-1759 ), daughter of George II, King of Great Britain.

  • Nameless (male ) (* December 1734; † December 1734 ), Prince of Orange- Nassau
  • Nameless (female ) (* / † December 19, 1735 - stillborn )
  • She was buried in the crypt of the Jacobijnerkerk in Leeuwarden; nameless (female) († December 26, 1739 * December 22, 1739 )
  • Caroline (* 1743, † 1787), Princess of Orange- Nassau and regent of the governor of Friesland 1765-1766, ∞ 1760 Karl Christian of Nassau- Weilburg ( 1735-1788 )
  • Anna Maria (November 15, 1746 - December 29, 1746 ), Princess of Orange- Nassau. She was baptized on November 27, 1746 in Leeuwarden.
  • William V (1748-1806)
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