EX-KAISER WILHELM

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXI, Issue 4958, 20 February 1937, Page 5

EX-KAISER WILHELM

SEVENTY-EIGHTH BIRTHDAY. SAD AND LONELY FIGURE. London, January 28. Ex-Kaiser Wilhelm, 78 to-day, spent the saddest, loneliest birthday of his exile at his snow-covered castle at Doom. There were no children, or grandchildren, no friends to congratulate him. When the ex-Kaiser had ’flu, the birthday invitations were cancelled. Because he feared to catch ’flu again, none of the Imperial staff Was allowed to see him even on his birthday. There was only one birthday present for Wilhelm, apart from some flowers, telegrams and letters. It was from Princess Hermine, his second wife. The ex-Kaiser’s household buy everything from Germany, except food. Princess Hermine visits Germany to shop. When she was there some weeks ago, to buy birthday presents, Wilhelm fell ill and called her back. She hurried home —with only her personal gift. Doctor Said “No.” There was no joy in the castle today. Wilhelm hoped to take a walk. His doctor said no. He wanted to lead a religious service as he has done for years. Again the doctor said no. The German Court preacher, the Rev. Ludwig Schneller, as old as the ex-Kaiser, with a white beard, came from Cologne and spoke on “The light shinest in the darkness.” As he finished Wilhelm and Hermine were in tears. After lunch, when Hermine went for a drive in a car, Wilhelm took a bouquet of flowers into a small room where, fourteen years ago, Empress Augusta Victoria died. Her room is left intact.

On other birthdays there was a joyous dinner at night, with guests in uniform from Germany, and Holland. Then the ex-Kaiser revived his old glory. To-night no one came. At dinner there were only two—Wilhelm and Hermine. They had hoped that at least Hermine’s daughter, Pi’incess Carmo, would attend. Only a few weeks ago she married a German chemist. The ex-Kaiser could not forget her. She had married a commoner. She, too, stayed away from Doom.