Wilhelm II of Germany

Wilhelm II of Germany (born Friedrich Wilhelm Viktor Albert von Preußen 27 January, 1859–4 June 1941), was the last German Emperor (Kaiser) and the last King (König) of Prussia, ruling from 1888 to 1918.

Life after 1918

In 1922 the Kaiser published his memoirs, maintaining his stand that he was not guilty of promoting the Great War. For the remaining twenty years of his life, he regularly entertained guests and kept himself updated on events in Europe.

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Wilhelm apparently harboured hopes that the Nazis would revive the monarchy (as long as its leader, Adolf Hitler, was willing to entertain such), but when this did not happen, his opinion of Hitler became very low, although he did share Hitler's vision of German Nationalism.

Related Topics:
Nazi - Adolf Hitler

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After the German conquest of the Netherlands in 1940, Wilhelm retired completely from public life. He died of pulmonary embolism in Doorn, Netherlands on June 5, 1941 with German soldiers at the gates of his estate. He is buried in Huis Doorn. Hitler granted him a small military funeral, which included August von Mackensen and Rupprecht of Bavaria, along with a few other military advisors. Wilhelm's request that the swastika not be displayed at the final rites was ignored.

Related Topics:
Netherlands - 1940 - Pulmonary embolism - Doorn - June 5 - 1941 - Huis Doorn - August von Mackensen - Rupprecht of Bavaria - Swastika

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