William II of Württemberg

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

William II (German Wilhelm II) (25 February 1848 in Stuttgart – 2 October 1921 in 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).

King of Württemberg

Upon the death of his childless uncle, King Charles I (1823–1891), he succeeded as King of Württemberg.

Despite living in a landlocked kingdom, William II was a ship enthusiast. He had a vision of a German Fleet reaching deep into the country through its rivers. 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").

Under his reign, the family Weizsäcker rose to prominence.

Marriages and children

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

• Pauline (19 December 1877 – 7 May 1965), married Prince Frederick of Wied (1872–1945);
• Ulrich (28 July 1880 – 28 December 1880);
• a stillborn daughter (24 April 1882).

Marie died on 30 April 1882 in Stuttgart, from complications resulting from the birth of her third child.

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

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: William II of Württemberg

• Rulers of Württemberg

Pretenders to the throne of Württemberg since 1918 King William II 1918–1921 Duke Albrecht 1921–1939 Duke Philipp Albrecht 1939–1975 Duke Carl since 1975 See also House of Württemberg