The first Orange-Nassau

The first roots of our Royal House can be found in Breda. The Breda native Johanna van Polanen
weds the German Engelbrecht I of Nassau-Dillenburg in 1403. With their large court and interest
in culture, art, design and fashion, the Nassaus foster a flourishing economy in the fifteenth and
sixteenth century. When the son of Henry III, René of Chalon, inherits the principality of Orange
in France, he becomes the first Orange-Nassau. His cousin becomes the most famous descendant
of the Orange-Nassaus from Breda, William of Orange. However, due to the revolt, William of
Orange is forced to leave Breda.

Father of the nation

In 1572, William of Orange moves into the Prinsenhof in Delft, where it remains fairly quiet and
peaceful during the revolt. He leads the revolt against the Spanish from Delft. And successfully
so! In 1579, the Union of Utrecht is arranged and signed by William of Orange, laying the basis
for the nation we are today. At that time however, Holland was not yet a kingdom.

Because of his significance during the revolt and the creation of Holland, William is given the
title Vader des vaderlands or Father of the Nation, an honorary designation for a respected
(political) leader of great significance to the creation of a country. He is murdered by Balthasar
Gerards in 1584 and, because Breda is still occupied, is buried in the Nieuwe Kerk in Delft. Ever
since, this church has been the final resting place of many members of the Royal Family.

Country estates
The beautiful Veluwe region is a perfect location for a country residence. Stadtholder William III
commissions Het Loo Palace in Apeldoorn, which is surrounded by luxuriant palace gardens.
After he becomes the King of England, the palace functions primarily as a hunting lodge. It
remains an important location for the Royal Family for centuries. King William III and his
daughter, Queen Wilhelmina, in particular use it as their main residence. After Princess
Wilhelmina passes away, Het Loo Palace is converted to a museum that devotes ample attention
to the residence’s relationship with the House of Orange-Nassau.

Court Capital
The Hague has been the Court Capital of the nation since the end of the sixteenth century. This is
when Prince Maurits, one of William of Orange’s sons, takes up residence on the Binnenhof.
Stadholders and later kings and queens have been residing in The Hague for over four centuries
now. They have left their mark on the city and its environs. Several palaces were built and used
as residences and offices. Some of these are still used today. Important royal traditions are still
being upheld, such as Princes’ Day and the ceremony in which newly appointed ambassadors
present their Geloofsbrieven or Letters of Credence to the King.

King of Orange-Nassau
While the House of Orange-Nassau has a history that goes back over six centuries, the country
does not have its first King of Orange-Nassau until 1815. After the Emperor Napoleon is
defeated, Prince William is asked to return to Holland from England. When he is crowned in
1815, the Kingdom of Orange-Nassau emerges.

Dualism
The stadtholders and kings of Orange-Nassau have not always been equally popular and
powerful. During the so-called stadtholder-less periods in the 17th and 18th century, the
members of the House of Orange-Nassau were displaced by political opponents. The Royal
Family went through some critical moments in the 19th and 20th centuries, too. In 1918, the
socialist political man Troelstra tried to start a revolution and dethrone Queen Wilhelmina. This
dualism is part and parcel of the nature and culture of Holland.