House of Orange-Nassau

The House of Orange-Nassau (Dutch: Huis van Oranje-Nassau, pronounced [ˈɦœys fɑn oːˌrɑɲə ˈnɑsʌu]) is the current reigning house of the Netherlands. A branch of the European House of Nassau, the house has played a central role in the politics and government of the Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe, particularly since William the Silent organised the Dutch Revolt against Spanish rule, which after the Eighty Years' War (1568–1648) led to an independent Dutch state. William III of Orange led the resistance of the Netherlands and Europe to Louis XIV of France, and orchestrated the Glorious Revolution in England that established parliamentary rule. Similarly, Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands was instrumental in the Dutch resistance during World War II.

"House of Orange" redirects here. For other uses, see House of Orange (disambiguation).
House of Orange-Nassau
Royal house
Royal arms of the Netherlands
Arms of William the Silent
Parent houseHouse of Nassau
CountryNetherlands, United Kingdom, Ireland, Luxembourg, Belgium, France, Germany, Orange, Nassau
EtymologyOrange, France & Nassau, Germany
Founded15 July 1544 (1544-07-15)
FounderWilliam the Silent
Current headKing Willem-Alexander
Titles
List
  • Current:
    • Count of Spiegelberg
    • Count of Buren
    • Count of Leerdam
    • Count of Culemborg
    • Burgrave of Antwerp
    • Baron of Breda
    • Baron of Diest
    • Baron of Beilstein
    • Baron of the town of Grave and the lands of Cuyk
    • Baron of IJsselstein
    • Baron of Cranendonk
    • Baron of Eindhoven
    • Baron of Liesveld
    • Baron of Herstal
    • Baron of Warneton
    • Baron of Arlay and Nozeroy
    • Lord of Bredevoort
    • Lord of Lichtenvoorde
    • Lord of Het Loo
    • Lord of Geertruidenberg
    • Lord of Clundert
    • Lord of Zevenbergen
    • Lord of Hooge and Lage Zwaluwe
    • Lord of Naaldwijk
    • Lord of Polanen
    • Lord of St Maartensdijk
    • Lord of Soest
    • Lord of Baarn
    • Lord of Ter Eem
    • Lord of Willemstad
    • Lord of Steenbergen
    • Lord of Montfort
    • Lord of St Vith
    • Lord of Bütgenbach
    • Lord of Dasburg
    • Lord of Niervaart
    • Lord of Turnhout
    • Lord of Besançon

    Former:

Estate(s)Netherlands
Dissolution28 November 1962 (in agnatic line, following the death of Wilhelmina of the Netherlands)

Several members of the house served during the Eighty Years war and after as stadtholder ("governor"; Dutch: stadhouder) during the Dutch Republic. However, in 1815, after a long period as a republic, the Netherlands became a monarchy under the House of Orange-Nassau.

The dynasty was established as a result of the marriage of Henry III of Nassau-Breda from Germany and Claudia of Châlon-Orange from French Burgundy in 1515. Their son René of Chalon inherited in 1530 the independent and sovereign Principality of Orange from his mother's brother, Philibert of Châlon. As the first Nassau to be the Prince of Orange, René could have used "Orange-Nassau" as his new family name. However, his uncle, in his will, had stipulated that René should continue the use of the name Châlon-Orange. After René's death in 1544, his cousin William of Nassau-Dillenburg inherited all of his lands. This "William I of Orange", in English better known as William the Silent, became the founder of the House of Orange-Nassau.: 10 

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