Why did Mary II of England succeed James II of England?
Deposition of her father; crown offered jointly to her and her husband. Daughter — James II's elder daughter by Anne Hyde.
The short answer
Mary was James II's Protestant elder daughter and the obvious heir once her father was deemed to have abdicated. She insisted on reigning jointly with her husband William of Orange, who had led the invasion. Parliament offered the crown to both in February 1689.
Who they were
Key points
- Elder daughter of James II; Protestant
- Declined to reign alone; joint monarchy with William III
- Died in 1694; William continued as sole monarch
Related family connections
Sources
- Mary II of EnglandJoint accession of 1689
Explanation written and reviewed by HistorIQly · reviewed 2026-09-18. Part of the House of Stuart family tree. Background on Wikipedia.