<P> The Kingdom of the Netherlands has been an independent monarchy since 16 March 1815 , but its one - time sovereign provinces have intermittently been `` governed '' by members of the House of Orange - Nassau and the House of Nassau from 1559 to 1747 , since Philip II of Spain appointed William of Orange as stadtholder . William became the leader of the Dutch Revolt and the independent Dutch Republic . As stadtholder , he was followed by several of his descendants . In 1747 , the function of stadtholder became a hereditary position in all Provinces of the thus `` crowned '' Dutch Republic . The last stadtholder was William V. His son became the first king as William I . </P>
<P> The Kingdom of the Netherlands has been an independent monarchy since 16 March 1815 , but its one - time sovereign provinces have intermittently been `` governed '' by members of the House of Orange - Nassau and the House of Nassau from 1559 to 1747 , since Philip II of Spain appointed William of Orange as stadtholder . William became the leader of the Dutch Revolt and the independent Dutch Republic . As stadtholder , he was followed by several of his descendants . In 1747 , the function of stadtholder became a hereditary position in all Provinces of the thus `` crowned '' Dutch Republic . The last stadtholder was William V. His son became the first king as William I . </P>
when did the netherlands became a constitutional monarchy
when did the netherlands became a constitutional monarchy
16 March 1815
16 March 1815