This marriage was another strategic alliance. William took over the Scottish, English and Northern Irish thrones in the Glorious Revolution. Mary was betrothed to William of Orange at the age of fifteen and they were cousins. This would make William fourth in line to the throne after James, Mary and her sister Anne.
Mary did not really want to marry William but they did on 4 November 1677. The ceremony was at St James' Palace and the couple were married by Bishop Henry Compton. After this, Mary left with William to travel to the Netherlands.
Following the birth of her younger brother James, it was inherent that James would be brought up a Catholic, and this was unacceptable to Parliament, so William mounted a campaign - the Glorious Revolution - to invade Britain and save it from Catholicism. Although Mary was the rightful heir to the throne, she and her sister stepped aside and allowed William to take control, with Mary as his pillar of support.
The crown was offered to William and Mary by the lords and commons at Whitehall on 12 February 1689. Engraving by H. Bourne after E. M. Ward. From the book Illustrations of English and Scottish History Volume II.
Two views of Mary and William, the first showing the pair together, but published in 1703, after the death of William III.
The title page of a book entitled The Present State of England, showing William III in his Coronation robes.
William III in his fine robes.
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