principality · France and the Low Countries

Sovereign Principality of the United Netherlands

1813 CE – 1815 CE · capital Amsterdam

The transitional Dutch state of 1813–1815, created as Napoleon's empire collapsed, under the returning Prince of Orange as sovereign prince.

Origins

After Napoleon's defeat at Leipzig, French authority in the Netherlands collapsed in November 1813. A provisional government led by Gijsbert Karel van Hogendorp invited William Frederick, son of the last stadtholder, to return. He landed at Scheveningen on 30 November and accepted the title of sovereign prince.

Rule and society

William ruled under a new constitution adopted in 1814, which gave the sovereign wide powers while keeping a States General. The new state rejected the old federal republic in favour of the unitary government created in the Batavian period. Its priority was rebuilding finances and securing allied backing at the Congress of Vienna.

Decline and legacy

The great powers decided to unite the northern and southern Netherlands as a barrier to France. In March 1815, during Napoleon's Hundred Days, William proclaimed himself king, creating the United Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Lineage

French Empire 1534 CE – 1980 CESovereign Principality of the United NetherlandsUnited Kingdom of the Netherlands 1815 CE – 1839 CE

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Cite this page
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). Sovereign Principality of the United Netherlands. In The Epoch Institute States Register. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/sovereign-principality-of-the-united-netherlands
MLA
“Sovereign Principality of the United Netherlands.” The Epoch Institute States Register, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/sovereign-principality-of-the-united-netherlands. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “Sovereign Principality of the United Netherlands.” The Epoch Institute States Register. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/sovereign-principality-of-the-united-netherlands.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Sovereign Principality of the United Netherlands’, The Epoch Institute States Register. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/sovereign-principality-of-the-united-netherlands (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random state ↻