Abolition of the principality.2C continuation of the title Prince of Orange

a detailed map of principality in first half of 17th century reproduced famous 1627 atlas of willem janszoon blaeu. area of principality approximately 12 miles long 9 miles wide, or 108 sq. miles.

an agnatic relative of william iii, john william friso of nassau, cognatically descended william silent, designated heir princes of orange in netherlands last of william iii. several of descendants became stadtholders. claim principality of orange on basis of agnatic inheritance, similar of william silent, had inherited orange cousin rené of châlon. did have claim, albeit distant, principality due john william friso s descent louise de coligny, descendant of original princes of orange. (louise s great grandmother, anne pot, countess of st. pol, descendant of tiburge d orange, married des baux family)

they claim descent del balzo, italian branch of des baux family, via marriage of princess anne william iv, prince of orange. anne eldest daughter of george ii of great britain, descendant of elizabeth woodville, wife of edward iv of england. elizabeth woodwille s grandmother margherita del balzo, descendant of tiburge d orange.

they claimed on basis of testament of philip william, maurice , william iii. finally, claimed on basis orange independent state sovereign had right assign succession according will. france never recognized of this, nor allowed orange-nassaus or hohenzollerns obtain of principality itself. oranje-nassaus nevertheless assumed title , erected several of lordships new principality of orange. derivation of title comes tradition of house of nassau-dietz, later stadtholders of netherlands, , present-day royal family of netherlands, of holding title. maintain tradition of william silent , house of orange-nassau.

there 2 other claimants title:

the house of hohenzollern, reigned in prussia until 1918
the house of mailly-nesles




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