1814
In
1813 The Holland departments of the French Empire declared their independence
and made the Prince of Orange Sovereign Prince of the United Netherlands. This
was a new role for the representatives of the House of Orange. Previously they
had been Stadtholders, not sovereigns but chief executives appointed by the
sovereign estates of the provinces. At the First Peace of Paris the areas
colored grey on the map were placed under the temporary administration of the
Allies. Prince William was given the administration, not the sovereignty, over
the Belgian departments, on behalf of the allies.
When
Napoleon returned from Elba in 1815 and tried to regain his Empire, Prince
William proclaimed himself King of the United Netherlands. Napoleon was
eventually defeated at Waterloo.
