Born on 3 July 1578 in Antwerp, she was the twelfth child of her father, the Prince of Orange, and her mother's third. Only four years later her mother died, having given birth to six daughters. Less than a year later her father married Louise de Coligny who became the loving and caring step-mother for his many children. On 10 July 1584 her father was murdered, bringing Louise de Coligny even closer to his children or 'petit peuple' as she called them.

However, Catharina Belgica had been brought up a Lutheran by her god-mother and aunt, the Countess von Schwarzburg. Through her father's brother, Count Johann VI von Nassau-Dillenburg, her marriage was arranged with the Calvinist Philipp Ludwig II, Count von Hanau and M?nzenberg. Philipp Ludwig II's father had died in 1580 and, as he was only four years old, one of his guardians had been Count Johann VI. From 1595 onwards Philipp Ludwig II had taken over the rule of his county.

Philipp Ludwig II and Catharina Belgica became the parents of nine children. When Philipp Ludwig II died on 19 August 1612, Catharina Belgica became Regent for their son, Philipp Moritz. In 1619 when the Emperor Ferdinand II was on his way to Frankfurt for his coronation, he wanted to pass through with 1,500 soldiers but Catharina Belgica refused him entry into the city of Hanau, which did not endear her to the Emperor.

In 1621 Spanish and Imperial armies ravaged her territories but her complaints to Spanish and Imperial officials were of no avail. In 1626 her son took over the rule from her; however, in 1634 the family had to flee to Holland and was able to return only in 1637. Catharina Belgica died on 12 April 1648 in Hanau. 

Source: Leo van de Pas