[3] He immediately observed that the princess craved joint rule, and so was starting to undermine Louis Ernest's dominant position.

She was deeply involved in the revolutionary political conflict in the Netherlands from 1781 onwards – not only a supporter and partner, but as a main driving power behind the party of her spouse.

From 1782 she was recognized openly as the true leader of the dynastic Stadtholder party, a role its followers actively encouraged her to take.

Wilhelmina persuaded William not to give in, and subsequently went to Friesland – officially to visit a jubilee, but in reality she aimed to gain support in the ongoing political conflict.

William was restored to power two weeks later and many rebels fled to Pas de Calais (France), and Brussels in early October.

However, the Dutch patriots returned in 1795, with support from the French, and William fled to his ally, his cousin King George III of Great Britain.