William IV
grand duke of Luxembourg
Alternative Title:
Wilhelm Alexander
William IV, German in full Wilhelm Alexander, (born April 22, 1852, Biebrich, Nassau, Germany—died February 25, 1912, Schloss Berg, near Luxembourg), grand duke of Luxembourg (1905–12), eldest son of grand duke Adolf of Nassau. Falling severely ill soon after his accession, he eventually on March 19, 1908, had his consort Maria Anna of Braganza named regent, or governor (Statthalterin). Also, having no sons and wishing to secure the succession of his daughters Marie-Adélaide and Charlotte, he had the Luxembourg Parliament allow succession in the female line.
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Grand dukeGrand duke, title of sovereign princes ranking between kings and dukes and of certain members of the Russian imperial family. The first grand duchy of western Europe was that of Tuscany, the title of grand duke being accorded by Pope Pius V to Cosimo de’ Medici in 1569 and recognized, for Cosimo’s…
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LuxembourgLuxembourg, country in northwestern Europe. One of the world’s smallest countries, it is bordered by Belgium on the west and north, France on the south, and Germany on the northeast and east. Luxembourg has come under the control of many states and ruling houses in its long history, but it has been…
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William IV
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