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Friedrich Wilhelm Victor August Ernst von Hohenzollern (born 6 May 1882), known popularly as simply Wilhelm, is the current Crown Prince (German: Kronprinz) of the German Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia. As the eldest son of Kaiser Wilhelm II and his consort Augusta Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein, he is first in the line of succession to both thrones.

Even though many of the excesses of his youth are a thing of the past, Wilhelm remains a rather divisive and unpopular figure within the Imperial family among the German population. Generally perceived as arrogant, out of touch with the people, and infamous for his numerous love affairs, Wilhelm's notoriety is further exacerbated by his contentious political views. He believes in the divine right of kings and loathes parliamentary control over governance, which during the Weltkrieg rersulted in informal cooperation between the Crown Prince and Erich Ludendorff, and support for the then-nascent German Fatherland Party to prevent the parliamentarisation of the Empire. In the end, these efforts were fruitless, as the March Constitution was introduced in March 1920, vastly limiting royal prerogatives. Rarely adhering to the etiquette of royal non-politicalness, the Crown Prince continously close ties to various anti-democratic figures and leading military men like Kurt von Schleicher are viewed with skepticism by those who try to defend the achievements of the March Reforms.

Biography[]

Wilhelm was born in 1882, six years before the accession of his father to the German throne. In 1888, Wilhelm went from being fourth in the Prussian succession line to first, becoming the German Kronprinz. Raised within Prussian military circles, he married in 1905 to Cecilie von Mecklenburg-Schwerin, and had the passenger liner SS Kronprinz Wilhelm named after him; the ship was sunk in 1919 by a British vessel on the Eastern Atlantic. Assuming a few military command during the Weltkrieg, the Kronprinz did not really have much influence on German politics after the Weltkrieg, other than for his friends, General Fedor von Bock and General Kurt von Schleicher, and the role of protector of arts fulfilled by his wife. By now, the Crown Prince is a rather peaceful man, only waiting for his father passing away to accomplish his duty.

Personal life[]

Parents[]

Wilhelm with father

The Kronprinz with his father

The Kronprinz is the eldest son of Kaiser Wilhelm II and his first wife, Kaiserin Augusta Viktoria von Schleswig-Holstein. Thus, he and his children are the first in line of succession for both German and Prussian throne. The Kronprinz appears to be ran by his own father: each time Wilhelm tried to intervene in German politics, the Kaiser forced him to be kept apart. An example among others: he failed to convince his father to name his friend Kurt von Schleicher as State Secretary for Interior for the government of Kuno von Westarp.

Marriage[]

In June, 6 1905, the Kronprinz married the youngest daughter of Grand Duke Friedrich Franz III von Mecklenburg-Schwerin, the Duchess Cecilie Auguste Marie von Mecklenburg-Schwerin, who was finally known as Princess Cecilie von Mecklenburg-Schwerin (born 20 September 1886). Despite the well-known unfaithfulness of her husband, she is known as a dignifed woman: Cecilienhof Palace, known as the shelter of most artists in Germany looking for a patron, such as famous architect Albert Speer, was built for her.

Children[]

Wilhelm with family

The Kronprinz with his wife, his two eldest sons and Generalfeldmarschall August von Mackensen

  1. Prince Wilhelm (born Wilhelm Friedrich Franz Joseph Christian Olaf on 4 July 1906), second in line.
  2. Prince Ludwig Ferdinand (born Louis Ferdinand Viktor Eduard Albert Michael Hubertus on 9 November 1907), still unmarried.
  3. Prince Hubertus (born Hubertus Karl Wilhelm on 30 December 1909), still unmarried.
  4. Prince Friedrich (born Friedrich Georg Wilhelm Christoph on 19 December 1911), still unmarried.
  5. Princess Alexandrine (born Alexandrine Irene on 7 April 1915), mentally disabled.
  6. Princess Cecilie (born 5 September 1917), still unmarried.

Military career[]

Wilhelm in military uniform

The Kronprinz during the Weltkrieg, with the Totenkopf shako of the Prussian hussars

Raised as his relatives and ancestors had been in the Prussian military tradition, he had little command experience before he was given charge of the 5th Army in August 1914, leading this unit until November 1916, having his headquarters near Charleville (Ardennes). Thus, he participated to the Verdun offensive, successfully taking Fort Vaux: he later advocated for ending the bloodbath engineered by this senseless battle, with this only being fulfilled on September, 2 1916.

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