Prince Hendrik of Orange, Stadtholder

Hendrik Lodewijk of Nassau (born 30 November 1639) was the second and youngest son of Frederik Hendrik, Prince of Orange, Stadholder of the Netherlands and Amalia of Solms.

Unfortunately for him, the little tyke didn't even live out the year, but say he had. He'd be twelve when/if Willem II dies as OTL in 1651. He'd still need a regency, but might the Regenten decide that better a six year regency (what was the majority age in the United Provinces) perhaps to reassert their dominance following Willem's monarchic attempts, than for an as yet unborn child? And what happens to Dutch Billy (OTL William III) in this scenario?
 
No interest in this? I admit, I know more about the so-called "Dutch Golden Age" in art than the politics that went linked with the Stadtholderless Period, but surely Mnr. Vermeer (whose wife? claimed that after the Prince of Orange's return to power, he never sold another painting) isn't the only person who might fare differently here?
 
Hmm, so Willem II dies and his 12 year old brother is still alive, while his is unborn, what would happen?

Personaly I would say that a stadholderless period is still most likely. The Dutch regents (especialy in Amsterdam) were unhappy with Willem II and I don't think they were going to accept another stadholder, especialy not one who is too young to actualy be stadholder.I could basicly see 3 options:
1. the regents embrace (OTL) Willem III as the stadholder, since he is the youngest and they can get away whith whatever they want far longer and would be able to influence him more than the 12 year old
2. OTL a stadholderless period, but (OTL) Willem III has a major supporter for his position as stadholder when Willem III comes of age
3. Nephew and uncle both fight with each other who should become stadholder, while the regents play both against each other while they themselves keep power.
 
Hmm, so Willem II dies and his 12 year old brother is still alive, while his is unborn, what would happen?

Personaly I would say that a stadholderless period is still most likely. The Dutch regents (especialy in Amsterdam) were unhappy with Willem II and I don't think they were going to accept another stadholder, especialy not one who is too young to actualy be stadholder.I could basicly see 3 options:
1. the regents embrace (OTL) Willem III as the stadholder, since he is the youngest and they can get away whith whatever they want far longer and would be able to influence him more than the 12 year old
2. OTL a stadholderless period, but (OTL) Willem III has a major supporter for his position as stadholder when Willem III comes of age
3. Nephew and uncle both fight with each other who should become stadholder, while the regents play both against each other while they themselves keep power.

Didn't Willem II's Dietz cousin put himself forward as candidate OTL? His mother-in-law/sister-in-law weren't too impressed with him IIRC. I suppose to Mary, it looked a similar base ingratitude to when Karl I was angling to be proclaimed king by Parliament over her brother/father.
 
Didn't Willem II's Dietz cousin put himself forward as candidate OTL? His mother-in-law/sister-in-law weren't too impressed with him IIRC. I suppose to Mary, it looked a similar base ingratitude to when Karl I was angling to be proclaimed king by Parliament over her brother/father.
I don't think that would be any different with Hendrik.
 
I don't think that would be any different with Hendrik.

Fair enough.

Who will be the one arranging his marriage? His mother? The Regenten? His nephew once the stadtholderate is restored? I mean, especially if we consider that Frederik Hendrik only married (and as late as he did) because Maurits threatened to legitimize his bastard son if he didn't do so. Plus, Amalia apparently told him that "if you like it, better put a ring on it" AFAIK.
 
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