Marie Louise of Hesse-Kassel

From the end of World War II in 1945 until 2022, Marie Louise and her husband were the most recent common ancestors of all reigning hereditary monarchs in Europe.


Marie Louise is notable for having served as regent for two periods in Dutch history: during the reigns of her young son, William IV, Prince of Orange from 1711 and 1730, and of her young grandson, William V, Prince of Orange, from 1759 to 1765. She was often fondly referred to as Marijke Meu (Aunt Mary) by her Dutch subjects.

Early life[edit]

Marie Louise was one of seventeen children born to Charles I, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel, by his wife and cousin, Princess Maria Amalia of Courland. Two of her siblings included King Frederick I of Sweden and William VIII, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel.

Princess of Orange[edit]

On 26 April 1709, Marie Louise was married to Johan William, Prince of Orange. He was the eldest surviving son of Henry Casimir II, Prince of Nassau-Dietz, and Henriëtte Amalia of Anhalt-Dessau; he had inherited his title in 1702 from the childless William III, Prince of Orange, due to his descent from both William the Silent and Frederick Henry, Prince of Orange.


The events behind their betrothal began after Johan William was almost killed by cannon fire and roundshot on two occasions. His mother, Henriette Amalia, perhaps realizing how vulnerable her son was, quickly began looking for a suitable bride to ensure an heir. In the end, the choice came down to two German princesses. She apparently informed him that he should think of the choice as between two chairs, and that he should choose the most comfortable of the two.^[1] Johan duly traveled to Hesse-Kassel and became engaged to the 20-year-old Marie Louise within a week. He did not even bother meeting the other candidate. The main factor in this decision was probably that Marie Louise's father was a trusted general under the well-respected Duke of Marlborough.^[1] In addition, marriage to a daughter of the Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel would also have served to strengthen Johan William's place among the other ruling houses.^[2]


Marie Louise was not considered attractive, as her features were heavy and her face was dominated by a large nose. She was however very charming, and greeted those of all ranks with natural friendliness and sincere concern for their well being.^[3] They had two children before his untimely death by drowning on 14 July 1711, the youngest of whom was born after his death.^[4] William Charles Henry Friso's birth was met with great relief by the Frisians, and he automatically inherited the title Prince of Orange.^[5]

Death[edit]

Marie Louise died on 9 April 1765 in Leeuwarden, the capital city of the Dutch province of Friesland. She outlived her son William by 14 years.