List of Prussian monarchs
The monarchs of Prussia were members of the House of Hohenzollern, who was the ruler of Prussia, a powerful German state that existed from the 16th century in 1525 until it was abolished in 1918. The title was held by monarchs who led Prussia through periods of history, including wars, territorial expansion and the formation of the German Empire in 1871. The kingdom was known for its strong military and efficient government.
Monarchy of Prussia | |
---|---|
König von Preußen | |
Details | |
Style | His Majesty |
First monarch | Albert (as Duke) |
Last monarch | Wilhelm II |
Formation | 10 April 1525 |
Abolition | 9 November 1918 |
Residence | Königsberg Castle Stadtschloss |
Appointer | Hereditary |
Pretender(s) | Georg Friedrich |
Prussia was a major influence in Europe, and its leaders played key roles in shaping modern Germany. The last king of Prussia was Kaiser Wilhelm II. He abdicated from the throne in 1918 after Germany's defeat in World War I and following the German Revolution. His reign ended the German Empire and the Hohenzollern dynasty's 300-year rule of Prussia.
Duchy of Prussia (1525–1701)
changeName | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Albert | 17 May 1490 – 20 March 1568 (aged 77) | 10 April 1525 | 20 March 1568 | Grand Master of Teutonic Knights, granted the title of Duke of Prussia | Hohenzollern | |
Albert Frederick | 7 May 1553 – 27 August 1618 (aged 65) | 20 March 1568 | 27 August 1618 | Son of Albert | Hohenzollern | |
John Sigismund | 8 November 1572 – 23 December 1619 (aged 47) | 27 August 1618 | 23 December 1619 | Son in law and second cousin thrice removed of Albert Frederick, also Elector of Brandenburg | Hohenzollern | |
George William | 13 November 1595 – 1 December 1640 (aged 45) | 23 December 1619 | 1 December 1640 | Son of John Sigismund, also Elector of Brandenburg | Hohenzollern | |
Frederick William
| 16 February 1620 – 29 April 1688 (aged 68) | 1 December 1640 | 29 April 1688 | Son of George William, also Elector of Brandenburg | Hohenzollern | |
Frederick I | 11 July 1657 – 25 February 1713 (aged 55) | 29 April 1688 | 18 January 1701 | Son of Frederick William, also Elector of Brandenburg | Hohenzollern |
Kingdom of Prussia (1701–1918)
changeName | Lifespan | Reign start | Reign end | Notes | Family | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Frederick I
| 11 July 1657 – 25 February 1713 (aged 55) | 18 January 1701 | 25 February 1713 | Son of Frederick William, also Elector of Brandenburg | Hohenzollern | |
Frederick William I
| 14 August 1688 – 31 May 1740 (aged 51) | 25 February 1713 | 31 May 1740 | Son of Frederick I | Hohenzollern | |
Frederick II
| 24 January 1712 – 17 August 1786 (aged 74) | 31 May 1740 | 17 August 1786 | Son of Frederick William I | Hohenzollern | |
Frederick William II | 25 September 1744 – 16 November 1797 (aged 53) | 17 August 1786 | 16 November 1797 | Nephew of Frederick II, grandson of Frederick William I | Hohenzollern | |
Frederick William III | 3 August 1770 – 7 June 1840 (aged 69) | 16 November 1797 | 7 June 1840 | Son of Frederick William II | Hohenzollern | |
Frederick William IV | 15 October 1795 – 2 January 1861 (aged 65) | 7 June 1840 | 2 January 1861 | Son of Frederick William III; also President of the Erfurt Union (1849–1850) | Hohenzollern | |
William I | 22 March 1797 – 9 March 1888 (aged 90) | 2 January 1861 | 9 March 1888 | Brother of Frederick William IV, son of Frederick William III; also President of the North German Confederation (1867–1871) and German Emperor (from 1871) | Hohenzollern | |
Frederick III | 18 October 1831 – 15 June 1888 (aged 56) | 9 March 1888 | 15 June 1888 | Son of Wilhelm I; also German Emperor; only Prussian monarch to rule for less than one year | Hohenzollern | |
William II | 27 January 1859 – 4 June 1941 (aged 82) | 15 June 1888 | 9 November 1918 (abdicated) [2] | Son of Frederick III; also German Emperor; also last King of Prussia and last German Emperor | Hohenzollern |
Prussian throne pretenders since 1918
change- Wilhelm II (9 November 1918 – 4 June 1941)
- Wilhelm, German Crown Prince (4 June 1941 – 20 July 1951)
- Louis Ferdinand (20 July 1951 – 26 September 1994)
- George Frederick (26 September 1994 – present)
References
change- ↑ Spencer, Charles, Blenheim, Chapter 22: Vindication, p.316
- ↑ Statement of Abdication of William II (28 November 1918)