During the Restoration period, which king married his niece to Prince William of Orange?

The answer is B. James II. James II, king of England, Scotland, and Ireland from 1685 to 1688, played a pivotal role in the events surrounding the Restoration period. He was a staunch defender of Catholicism in a predominantly Protestant nation, which led to significant political tension and ultimately his downfall.

During his reign, James II arranged for the marriage of his daughter, Mary, to Prince William of Orange. This marriage was a strategic alliance aimed at fortifying support for James II's rule and fostering ties with Protestant states in Europe, particularly the Dutch Republic. This union would later be significant during the Glorious Revolution of 1688, which ultimately resulted in James II being deposed in favor of William and Mary, marking a crucial moment in British constitutional history.

In contrast, Charles II ruled prior to James II and was not directly involved in the marriage of Mary and William. George II became king much later and had no involvement in this specific historical event. William III, while he became king in conjunction with Mary following the revolution, did not arrange this marriage; he was the recipient of that arrangement.