On 9 May 1853, in Weimar, he married Amalia Maria da Gloria Augusta of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach (Ghent, 20 May 1830 - Walferdange Castle, 1 May 1872).

King William III's eldest son, a bachelor in his late thirties, lived in voluntary exile in Paris because his father refused him permission to marry a Dutch Countess.

Fifty-eight year old Prince Henry therefore went searching for a second wife considerably younger than himself in a bid to save the family from extinction.

On 24 August 1878, in Potsdam, he married Marie Elisabeth Louise Frederica of Prussia (Marmorpalais, 14 September 1855 – Schloss Albrechtsberg, 20 June 1888).

At the time of his death at Walferdange Castle, Prince Henry was third in line of succession to the Dutch throne and one of 5 male family members.

Prince Henry was a shy, pious and homely man, who had trouble speaking in public and (especially when he was young) was easily embarrassed.