William II, King of Württemberg.
William II, King of Württemberg (25 February 1848 in Stuttgart – 2 October 1921 in Bebenhausen) was the son of Prince Frederick of Württemberg (1808–1870) and his wife Princess Catherine 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.
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:
On 8 April 1886 at Bückeburg, he married Princess Charlotte of Schaumburg-Lippe (1864–1946).
Ancestry
See also
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