Neferure was an ancient Egyptian princess, who bore the unusual distinction of being the child of two pharaohs: she was the only child of Thutmose II and his wife, sister, and co-successor, the legendary Hatshepsut.
Hatshepsut’s reign as pharaoh was successful, but the accession of a woman led to a number of political and religious complications. The Pharaoh and his Great Royal Wife, as divine representatives on Earth, were meant to each perform a number of ceremonial duties; among other things, that she was now pharaoh meant that Hatshepsut could no longer serve as the high priestess of Amun. But Hatshepsut was used to successfully delegating; military affairs were in the hands of her co-ruler, Thutmose III, and she placed these ceremonial and religious duties in the hands of her daughter.
Neferure was prepared. She had been well-educated as a child - one of her tutors was now her mother’s top advisor - and as she grew older she played not only a ceremonial but a political role at court. Indeed, she held an unprecedented degree of power for an uncrowned royal daughter.
Neferure is never known to have married, and it is likely she slightly predeceased her mother, though some historians differ on each of those points. Her tomb has been lost, and efforts were made by later pharaohs to erase her memory. What has been found, however, paints a picture of a scholarly politician, a loyal daughter, and a key player during a pivotal time in Egyptian history.
