Wilhelm Hereditary Prince of Nassau

Grand Duke of Luxembourg, Duke of Nassau

born: 22.04.1852 in Biebrich

died: 25.02.1912 in Colmar-Berg (Luxembourg)

Wilhelm was the eldest son of Duke Adolph and Duchess Adelheid Marie. The first 14 years of his life were closely linked to Biebrich and Wiesbaden.

In 1858, the first regular school lessons began at Biebrich Palace with the Wiesbaden head teacher Philipp Türck, and from 1860, Dr. Hermann Müller led the grammar school lessons together with other teachers from the Wiesbaden secondary schools. Wilhelm developed astonishing skills in art lessons and received piano lessons from the court pianist Joseph Rummel.

Soon after the annexation of Nassau, he had to leave Biebrich. He received his officer's training in Dresden and rose to the rank of major general in the Austrian military from 1871-88. On his father's accession to the throne, he became Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg in 1890.

In 1893, he married the Catholic Princess Maria Anna of Bragança, Infanta of Portugal (1861-1942). After deputizing for his father for three years, he became Grand Duke of Luxembourg in 1905. As his hopes for a male heir to the throne had not been fulfilled and after he suffered a second stroke in 1906, he issued a House Law in 1907 confirming the eldest of his six daughters, Marie Adelheid (1894-1924), as heir to the throne. Due to his illness, Grand Duchess Maria Anna had to take over the governorship from 19.03.1908 and the regency from 13.11.1908. Berg Castle, north of Luxembourg City, which had served as their residence since 1893, was largely rebuilt in 1907-11. Grand Duke Wilhelm died here.

His death was perceived as the definitive end of the 800-year Nassau era. With him passed away the last agnate of the entire House of Nassau, the last Nassau native still born in Biebrich, who also had the title of "Lord of Wiesbaden" among his traditional titles. He was buried in Weilburg.