In 1817 he was born in Brussels where his parents lived as his father, the future King Willem II, preferred it above the rather stiff atmosphere of The Hague where King Willem I lived. As a young boy, Willem (III) had Baron de Constant Rebecque as a governor, a man who preferred the military life and the strict etiquette of the Court. However, in 1830, because of the Belgian struggle for independence, the family was forced to move away from Brussels and, as a result, Willem (III) had much more contact with the king, his grandfather. Willem (III) was destined for the army while his younger brother, Hendrik, went to the navy. At seventeen when he was allowed to travel he went to his mother's country, Russia. In St. Petersburg he was befriended by his first cousin, the future Tsar Alexander II. He was regarded as a cosmopolitan youth who, though he spoke fluent French, had little interest in politics. In 1839 a marriage was arranged for Willem (III) with his first cousin, Princess Sophie of W?rttemberg. Sophie was intelligent and spirited and, as a result, it was not a happy marriage. In 1840 a child was born, Willem, to be followed in 1843 by another son, Maurits. From then onwards they quarrelled and saw little of each other. Sadly, in 1850, their second son died and in their shared grief found each other again. Then in 1851 another son, Alexander, was born. However, in 1837 his grandmother had died and, in 1840, his grandfather, intending to remarry, abdicated. As a result, Willem (III) became crown prince and his father King Willem II. In Berlin, in 1841, his grandfather married a Belgian countess, Henriette d'Oultremont. Politicians expected Willem (III) to join his father's opposition, but he kept out of politics to live the life of a country squire. However, his womanising caused a definite, almost public, separation from his wife. In 1848 Willem (III) became involved with law-reforms, at times opposing his father as well as having arguments with the Minister for War until, in November 1848, these laws were proclaimed. On 17 March 1849 his father died and, as Willem III, he became King of The Netherlands and Grand Duke of Luxemburg. In the first few months there was political instability with the king's at times childish dislikes for people adding to the problems. For many years there would be antagonism between Willem III and his capable minister Thorbecke. The king's "Russian" temper, often the cause, was never restrained and, whenever angry, he could be rude and ill-mannered. His wife, the intelligent Sophie, involved herself in art, science and politics. Her charm was noted and appreciated, while Willem III indulged in women and alcohol. Sadly, their eldest son, Willem, appeared to have been sullen and unpleasant; while Alexander, their younger son, suffered from ill-health. When the crown prince, styled Prince of Orange, came of age, he was sent on the traditional continental tour. As expected, he proposed marriage to an eligible Russian Grand Duchess but, as he was rejected, he returned home alone. According to him "de boerin wil mij niet" (that peasant didn't want me). However, when past the age of thirty, he fell in love with Anna Mathilda van Limburg-Stirum who did return his feelings. When Willem III refused to give his consent, Crown Prince Willem turned his back on The Netherlands to live in Paris where, known as 'Prince Citron', he lived his last years. Only in 1877 did he visit The Netherlands, to be present at his mother's funeral. He himself died in 1879. Beforehand, however, aged sixty-one and a widower, Willem III decided to remarry. His first choice was his mistress, the Opera singer Mademoiselle d'Ambre; but after pressure he accepted that this was impossible. While on a visit in Germany he saw the marital happiness of the Crown Prince of Wuerttemberg, his deceased wife's nephew, and was told that the Crown Princess had other sisters. Willem III then went to Arolsen, the home of the Crown Princess, and at first wanted to marry Princess Pauline, the eldest unmarried daughter of the Fuerst of Waldeck-Pyrmont. However, as she was in love with an eligible prince, her younger sister, Emma, stepped forward and, on 7 January 1879, they were married. Even though there was such a difference in age, he sixty-one and she twenty, they were happy and, in August 1880, a daughter was born. In 1884 Willem III lost his other son, Alexander, and as a result his young daughter, Wilhelmina, became his heir. When, in 1890, Willem III died, it was Emma who became the regent for the ten-year-old Queen Wilhelmina. 

Source: Leo van de Pas