Sophia of the Palatinate, more commonly referred to as Sophia of Hanover, was born October 14th 1630 and was the eldest, surviving child of Elizabeth of Bohemia, daughter of James I. Sophia of Hanover was the only suitable choice as heir to the British throne and was made heiress presumptive by parliament in 1701. It was necessary that a Protestant took the throne and since Queen Mary died without children and Queen Anne’s children did not survive past infancy the honor was settled upon “the most excellent Princess Sophia, electress and duchess-dowager of Hanover” and “the heirs of her body, being Protestant”.
