Embed from Getty Images
Queen Emma of the Netherlands, great-great-grandmother of King Willem Alexander, was born on this day in 1858. Born a Princess of Waldeck-Pyrmont, her sister became the Duchess of Albany. In 1879, she married the elderly King William III as his second wife. The couple had one daughter, who became Queen in 1890. Queen Emma was the regent for her young daughter, Queen Wilhelmina, until 1898. Afterwards, she still undertook official duties, and remained as popular as ever until her death in 1934. During the Nazi occupation in WWII, Queen Emma became a symbol of Dutch resilience, with one of her statues the location of an important protest.
May soul of Queen Emma of the Netherlands rest in peace.