When King Willem III dies in 1890, his then ten-year-old daughter Wilhelmina is the only heir to the throne. Eight years later, in 1898, she is officially crowned queen. The first queen of the Netherlands, barely 18 years old. During her reign, which would last half a century, the monarch had to deal with two world wars and a major economic crisis. Meanwhile, she must also ensure the survival of the Orange dynasty. The 4-part series Wilhelmina, a life before the throne offers an intriguing insight into the life of a tried and tested, difficult and idealistic queen.