The Prince of Orange, who was one of the possible suitors for the young Queen's hand, was her third cousin once removed.
[Pageheading: THE HOUSE OF SAXE-COBURG-GOTHA] The House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, to which the Queen belonged on her mother's side, and with which she was to be even more intimately connected by her marriage, was one of the numerous branches into which the ancient and celebrated House of Wettin had broken up.

Since the 11th century they had ruled over Meissen and the adjoining districts.
To these had been added Upper Saxony and Thuringia.

In the 15th century the whole possessions of the House had been divided between the two great branches which still exist.

The Albertine branch retained Meissen and the Saxon possessions.

They held the title of Elector, which in 1806 was exchanged for the title of King.