Some
scholars speculate that this is evidence
of Hatshepsut's claim that she was her
father's intended heir (see below), others
that she was merely planning another Hatshepsut.
Whatever her intentions they came to nothing
as Nefrure did not live into adulthood.
Meritre may have been married, in childhood,
to her contemporary Thutmose III, the
son and male heir of Thutmose II by a
lesser wife and sister named Nyzita, and
may also have been the mother of Amenhotep
II. Some Egyptologists dispute Meritre
was Hatshepsut's daughter, and say that
she was in fact Hatshepsut or was someone
else's child named in Hatshepsut's honor.
Upon Thutmose II's death, the throne passed
to Thutmose III and Hatshepsut—as
the boy king's aunt and stepmother—was
selected to be regent until he came of
age.
|
|
