Orange, House Of

Princely dynasty and royal family of The Netherlands. The title began with William I (the Silent), prince of Orange-Nassau, who was stadtholder (viceroy) of the Netherlands, as were his descendants until 1795.

In 1815 William VI became William I, king of The Netherlands. Through his descendants, the male line of the royal dynasty continued until 1890, when Wilhelmina, daughter of William III, became queen. In 1908 she decreed that her descendants should be styled princes and princesses of Orange-Nassau.