Early life and childhood (1626-1640) left|thumb|William II as a young boy, . William II (or Willem II), Prince of Orange, was born on 27 May 1626, as the first legitimate child and elder son of Frederick Henry, Prince of Orange, and his wife Amalia of Solms-Braunfels. Frederick Henry was the youngest son of William the Silent (stadtholder 1559–1584); his older half brother Maurits of Nassau was Stadtholder (1585–1625); Frederick Henry was stadtholder from 1625 to 1647. Frederick Henry also had another half-brother, Philip William, who reigned as Prince of Orange (1584−1618). William had eight liveborn siblings, but his surviving siblings were Luise Henriette (1627−1667), Albertine Agnes (1634−1696), Henriette Catherine (1637−1708) and Maria (1642−1688). All of his surviving sisters married into German nobility. The stadtholders governed in conjunction with the States-General, an assembly of representatives from each of the seven provinces, but usually dominated by the largest and wealthiest province, Holland.
early lIFe and chiLdHood (1626-1640) Left|thumb|wIlLIAM iI as a younG boy, . wIllIam ii (Or WilLem ii), PRince of OraNGe, wAs born on 27 MAy 1626, as The first LEgItimate chILd And elDER Son of frEderiCk heNrY, pRiNCe OF orangE, ANd his wife aMalia oF solms-BraUnfels. frEderick henrY was tHe YOUngest sOn oF WillIam thE silent (stadTholdeR 1559–1584); his oLder Half brOther maurits of nasSau was stAdThOlder (1585–1625); FreDerick hENry WaS stadtHolDer froM 1625 TO 1647. FredeRICk heNry Also haD aNoTHeR haLf-bRother, PhILIp wiLliAM, wHo reiGNed AS PriNCE of oRange (1584−1618). wIlliAm hAd eigHt liVEborn sIbliNGs, but hIS survivInG sibliNGs Were LUIse heNRIEtTe (1627−1667), aLBeRTinE agneS (1634−1696), henriette catheRIne (1637−1708) and maRiA (1642−1688). all of hIs SuRviviNG siSteRs MArrIED iNto germAn NOBiliTy. the stAdTHolderS GovErned in CoNjuncTIOn WITH the staTeS-generAl, AN assembLy oF repreSentaTIves from Each of the seven provinCes, bUt UsuallY DOminatEd bY the LaRgest aNd WealThIest prOvInCe, holLand.