Neferu-Re
18th
Dynasty
Neferu-Re was the half-sister of Tuthmosis III and
possibly his wife. She was the daughter of Tuthmosis II
and Hatshepsut.
She played an important role during the reign of her
mother. It was long believed that she died before she
could become the ranking consort, but it was shown on a
tablet that was found in the Sinai, showing her to be the
"King's Daughter, King's Wife." On her statues,
she is shown in the arms of Senenmut.
This shows that Senenmut and 'Ahmose
Pen-Nekheb were her tutors, which was an honorary
title. Senenmut was her steward and her "Great
Father Nurse".
Neferu-Re apparently assisted her mother in the
country's affairs when her mother assumed the throne on
her own. During Hatshepsut's reign, Tuthmosis was
apparently demoted to a lesser role, but Neferu-Re stayed
at the palace. Hatshepsut depended on her daughter a
great deal over the years. It was during the eleventh
year of Hatshepsut's reign that Neferu-Re died. After her
death, the mother's power waned. At about the same time
that Neferu-Re died, Senenmut died. Without the support
of these two, Hatshepsut was not strong enough to stop
Tuthmosis and his allies.
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