The heir apparent of the Netherlands is the “Princess of Orange.” What is the origin of “Orange" in her title?

Orange is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France, about 21 km (13 miles) north of Avignon. It was founded by the Romans and it is the second most populated city of Vaucluse after Avignon. The title "Prince of Orange" was created in 1163 by the Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, by elevating the then county of Orange to a principality, in order to bolster his support in that area in his conflict with the Pope.

The title and land passed to the French noble houses of Baux, in 1173, and of Chalons, in 1393, before arriving with Rene of Nassau in 1530. The principality then passed to a Dutch nobleman, Rene’s cousin William ("the Silent"), in 1544.

With the 19th century emergence of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the title has been traditionally borne by the heir apparent of the Dutch monarch. Although originally only carried by men, since 1983 the title descends via absolute primogeniture: the holder can be either Prince or Princess of Orange.

The title is currently held by Catharina-Amalia Beatrix Carmen Victoria, born 7 December 2003 (pictured).