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Sophia Frederika Mathilde von Württemberg (17 June 1818 – 3 June 1877) was the first wife of King William III of the Netherlands.

She was born in Stuttgart, her parents were King William I of Württemberg and Grand Duchess Catherine Pavlovna of Russia, the fourth eldest daughter of Tsar Paul I. Sophie and William (as her and William’s mother Queen Anna Paulowna were sisters) were first cousins. Shortly after Sophie’s birth, her mother died, and she was cared for by her aunt, Catharina of Württemberg.

Prior to her marriage, King Otto of Greece and Duke William of Brunswick were possible suitors for Princess Sophie. The engagement with the first came to nothing because Sophie's father had no confidence in the newly established Greek monarchy. Change prevented a proposal by the second candidate because it was rumored that Sophie was already betrothed.

She married the Prince of Orange (later King William III) on 18 June, 1839 in Stuttgart. The couple returned to the Netherlands and established themselves in Noordeinde Palace and had three children:

• Willem Nicolaas Alexander Frederik Karel Hendrik (1840-1879), from 1849 Prince of Orange
• Willem Frederik Maurits Alexander Hendrik Karel (1843-1850)
• Willem Alexander Karel Hendrik Frederik (1851-1884), crown prince after the death of his brother to his own death.

The marriage was not a success. William's mother, who he completely relied on, was totally against the marriage and treated her daughter-in-law and niece with disdain. Intellectually, Sophie was far superior to her husband. Moreover, William III had several extramarital relations. She let it be publicly known that she found him inferior and unsuitable to be king and that she would do it better as a regent. Sophie tried to separate from him, but this was refused; the state interest had to prevail. From 1855 the couple lived separately. She spent much of her time in Stuttgart, with her own family. Sophie died at Huis ten Bosch Palace near the Hague. She was buried in her wedding dress, because she had, in her own view, stopped living at her wedding day.

Queen Sophie corresponded with several European scholars and maintained warm ties with Emperor Napoleon III and Queen Victoria. She protected and stimulated the arts, supported several charities, including animal protection and construction of public parks.

Ancestry

• 1818 births
• 1877 deaths
• People from Stuttgart
• House of Orange-Nassau
• House of Württemberg
• Dutch royalty
• Dutch queens consort
• Grandchildren of Paul I of Russia