Princess Carolina of Orange-Nassau was the daughter of William IV, Prince of Orange, Stadtholder of the Netherlands, and Anne, Princess Royal.
Background
Princess Carolina was born in Leeuwarden. However, in 1748, a male heir, Willem, was born to her parents, thus displacing her and putting her second in line to the position. At that point, her mother was appointed Princess-However, in 1759, her mother died, and Willem V was still just ten years old.
Career
In 1747, it was declared that the position of Stadtholder could be inherited by females, thus making the young Princess Carolina the heiress presumptive to the position of Stadtholder. Princess Carolina"s father died in 1751, making her three-year-old brother Willem V of Orange. Then, Princess Carolina"s paternal grandmother, Princess Marie-Luise, was made Princess-Princess Marie-Luise was regent until 1765, when she died.
Willem V was now seventeen, but that was still not old enough to rule on his own.
So, Princess Carolina was made regent. She ruled until 1766, when Willem V turned eighteen.