General Notes

Although King William III, b. Feb. 19, 1817, d. Nov. 23, 1890, was unhappy
with the advanced liberal constitution adopted in 1848, it was under his reign
that parliamentary government was consolidated in the Netherlands. After
opposing the constitution sponsored by his father and predecessor, William II,
he accepted it when he ascended to the throne in 1849. He opposed the liberal
statesman Johan Thorbecke and played a crucial role in Thorbecke's resignation
as head of the government in 1853.

An anti-Catholic, William was able to retain political influence through the
cabinet, giving special attention to religious matters. His attempt in 1867 to
sell France the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg met Prussian hostility and had to be
abandoned. As a result, his political stature at home suffered irreparably.
William's personal life was troubled, first by separation from his wife,
Sophia of Wurttemberg, and then by plans to divorce her and marry his
mistress, a French actress. In 1879, after Sophia's death, he married Emma of
Waldeck-Pyrmont. He was succeeded by his daughter Wilhelmina.