Juliana of the Netherlands

Reign: 1948 – 1980
Life: 1909–2004

She received a private education and studied international law at the University of Leiden. In 1937, she married Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld with whom she had four daughters: Beatrix, Irene, Margriet, and Christina. During the German invasion of the Netherlands in the Second World War, the royal family was evacuated to the United Kingdom. Juliana then relocated to Canada with her children, while Wilhelmina and Bernhard remained in Britain. The royal family returned to the Netherlands after its liberation in 1945. Her reign saw the decolonization and independence of the Dutch East Indies and Suriname, and the creation and dissolution of the Netherlands-Indonesia Union, of which she served as head of state.

During Juliana of the Netherlands' reign, Hirohito ruled Japan, Elizabeth II ruled Great Britain, and Gustaf VI Adolf of Sweden ruled Sweden.

Want to learn more? Further reading

The Pursuit of Power: Europe 1815–1914 by Richard J. Evans

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The World During Their Reign

The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.

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The Pursuit of Power: Europe 1815–1914

Richard J. Evans

Juliana's reign, decolonisation, social change, and the Dutch monarchy in the twentieth century.

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