Mary, Princess Royal and Princess of Orange

Mary, Princess Royal and Princess of Orange-Nassau (4 November 1631–24 December 1660) was the eldest daughter of King Charles I of England, Scotland, and Ireland and his queen, Henrietta Maria. She was the wife of Willem II, Prince of Orange-Nassau (27 May 1626–6 November 1650) and the mother of King William III of England, Scotland, and Ireland (14 November 1650–8 May 1702). Mary Stuart or Mary of Orange, as she was also known, was the first daughter of a British Sovereign to hold the title Princess Royal.

Early Life

Mary Henrietta Stuart was born at St. James's Palace, London. Charles I designated her Princess Royal in 1642, thus establishing the tradition that the eldest daughther of the British Sovereign might bear this title. The title came into being when Queen Henrietta Maria, the daughter of King Henri IV of France wished to imitate the way the eldest daughter of the French king was styled (Madame Royale). Until that time, the eldest daughters of English and Scottish kings were variously titled Lady or Princess (The younger daughters of British Sovereigns were not consistently titled princesses of Great Britain and styled Royal Highness until the ascension of George I in 1714).

Related Topics:
King Henri IV of France - George I

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