William II of Württemberg

William II
King of Württemberg
Reign 6 October 1891 - 30 November 1918
Predecessor Charles I
Successor Monarchy abolished
Spouse Marie of Waldeck and Pyrmont
Charlotte of Schaumburg-Lippe
Issue
Pauline, Princess of Wied
Prince Ulrich
Full name
Wilhelm Karl Paul Heinrich Friedrich
House House of Württemberg
Father Prince Frederick of Württemberg
Mother Princess Catherine of Württemberg
Born 25 February 1848(1848-02-25)
Stuttgart, Kingdom of Württemberg
Died 2 October 1921(1921-10-02) (aged 73)
Bebenhausen, Weimar Republic
Religion Lutheranism

William II (German Wilhelm II) (25 February 1848, Stuttgart – 2 October 1921, Bebenhausen) was the fourth King of Württemberg, from 6 October 1891 until the abolition of the kingdom on 30 November 1918. He was the son of Prince Frederick of Württemberg (1808–1870) and his wife Princess Catherine Frederica of Württemberg (1821–1898), daughter of King William I of Württemberg (1781–1864); both parents were first cousins.

Contents

King of Württemberg

Upon the death of his childless uncle, King Charles I (1823–1891), he succeeded as King of Württemberg. Though his claim appeared contrary to Salic law, as his mother Princess Catherine was the daughter of William I, on his father's side he was also the senior male-line descendant of Frederick I of Württemberg through his younger son Prince Paul.

Despite living in a landlocked kingdom, William II was a ship enthusiast. The king was instrumental in the establishment of the Württembergischer Yacht Club (formerly "Königlich Württembergischer Yacht-Club" or Royal Yacht Club of Württemberg) in 1911 on Lake Constance.

In Stuttgart his capital he built the Wilhelmspalais.

King William became a Generalfeldmarschall during World War I. In 1918, he was deposed from the throne along with the other German rulers. Considered to be a popular monarch, he was bitter to find he received less support than he had anticipated. He had the habit of walking his two dogs in public parks in Stuttgart without bodyguards or the like, being greeted by his subjects with a simple Herr König ("Mister King"). William finally abdicated on 30 November 1918.[1]

Under his reign the Weizsäcker family rose to prominence as officials and advisers.

Marriages and children

On 15 February 1877 at Arolsen he married Princess Marie of Waldeck and Pyrmont (1857–1882). They had three children:

Marie died on 30 April 1882 in Stuttgart, from complications resulting from the birth of her third child. William, already depressed by the death of his only son, is said never to have recovered from this blow.

On 8 April 1886 at Bückeburg, he married Princess Charlotte of Schaumburg-Lippe (1864–1946). They had no children.

Succession

With William II's death in 1921 without male issue, the senior branch of the House of Württemberg became extinct. The ducal branch became the new dynastic-branch of the House; thus, the Kingship was extinguished and the headship of the house devolved to a dukedom, specifically onto Albrecht, Duke of Württemberg.

Ancestry

See also

References

William II of Württemberg
Born: 25 February 1848 Died: 2 October 1921
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Charles I
King of Württemberg
6 October 1891 – 30 November 1918
Monarchy abolished
German royalty
Preceded by
Prince Frederick
Heir to the Throne of Württemberg
as heir presumptive
9 May 1870 – 6 October 1891
Succeeded by
Duke William
Titles in pretence
Loss of title
— TITULAR —
King of Württemberg
30 November 1918 – 2 October 1921
Reason for succession failure:
Kingdom abolished in 1918
Succeeded by
Duke Albrecht