100 things challenge - 51: Huis Doorn and the last emperor

[birdienl]

Kaiser Wilhelm II was the last emperor of Germany. He was also only the third of that rare species, as the German empire had not been established until 1871. He was crowned emperor in 1888 and used his power to try and make Germany as great and important as Great-Britain (Wilhelm was the grandson of Queen Victoria and looked up towards the British

Comments

[msantimacassar]

This is fascinating! I never thought to ask what happened to the Kaiser, but now I know! Thanks to you :)

[birdienl]

Thanks! I think most people never asked, his life story just sort of dwindled away. It's a strange thing to think about, from emperor of one of the most powerful countries in the world to a recluse in a small manor.

[msantimacassar]

That is very crazy to think about! It's really a wonder that he just disappeared like that...

[ever_maedhros]

Wow, that is quite a life of extremes (emperor one moment, refugee the next). And 59 train-wagons of goods? That's mind-boggling.

[birdienl]

I think he/they had even a lot more than those train-wagons full. After all, how much stuff goes into two gigantic palaces?