Why did William I inherit the title prince of Orange at age 11?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Portrait of William I, Prince of Orange, by Adriaen Thomasz Key. He wears a dark embroidered coat, a white ruff collar, and a black cap, with a trimmed beard and mustache. — William I Portrait of William I, oil on panel by Adriaen Thomaszoon Key, c. 1579; in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.

William I inherited the title of Prince of Orange at age 11 because his cousin, René of Nassau, died in 1544 without leaving an heir. René had previously inherited the principality of Orange and other significant estates from his own maternal uncle, and upon his death, he bequeathed this combined wealth—including the title of Prince of Orange—to his young cousin, William.12