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Portrait of William III of the Netherlands

William III of the Netherlands

Reign: 1849 – 1890
Life: 1817–1890

Having reigned for 41 years, he is the second-longest reigning Dutch monarch, only surpassed by his daughter, Wilhelmina. On the abdication of his paternal grandfather William I in 1840, he became the Prince of Orange. On the death of his father in 1849, he succeeded as king of the Netherlands. William married his cousin Sophie of Württemberg in 1839 and they had three sons, William, Maurice, and Alexander, all of whom predeceased him. After Sophie's death in 1877, he married Emma of Waldeck and Pyrmont in 1879 and they had one daughter Wilhelmina, who succeeded William to the Dutch throne. As of 2026, he is the last Dutch monarch to die whilst on the throne as all of his successors have abdicated in favor of their children.

During William III of the Netherlands' reign, Franz Joseph I of Austria ruled Austria, Wilhelm I ruled Prussia, and Alexander II of Russia ruled Russia.

Want to learn more? Further reading

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

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Cover of The Pursuit of Power: Europe 1815–1914

Recommended read

The Pursuit of Power: Europe 1815–1914

Richard J. Evans

William III's long reign, liberal politics, colonial empire, and the Netherlands on the eve of modernity.

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