Glory to the Kaiser
Unter den Linden
The Reichstag dome is brightly lit. On this November evening, people are crowded together on the Straße des 17. Juni and Unter den Linden. The Prussian prince and princess are wrapped in long coats and chatting with the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr Steinmeier. The approaching winter is announced by the first frost. Mercury's at minus two degrees. The year is 2018 and we commemorate the abdication of the last German Emperor a hundred years ago. The historical judgement about Wilhelm II has changed significantly in recent years or even turned into the opposite. For a long time he was regarded as a warmonger, but today his efforts to prevent the great catastrophe are in the foreground. His telegram to cousin Nicki, the Russian czar, finally receives the attention it deserves.
Because of this reassessment of German history, the princely couple were also invited to the festive ceremony. The question of whether the prince will also speak has been the subject of the wildest speculations in the most diverse gazettes and radio broadcasts in recent weeks. They culminated in the fear or hope - depending on the point of view - that His Highness could on this occasion claim the throne and proclaim the monarchy.
These expectations have some justification. The government's massive failure in all areas has caused large sections of the people to doubt the capacity of democracy. There is open speculation in all media about the imminent end of the euro. If you were in England, the bookies would make a killing. Chancellor Merkel has made a change in asylum and immigration policy that no one would have thought possible, but it was of no use to her and the CDU. The attack on the football stadium ruined everything. No one believes anymore that the institutions and regulations of the democratically constituted state can cope with the problems they have created themselves. We need the strong man at the top, but please no new Führer. This is the tenor above all in bourgeois circles. The classic worker no longer exists, otherwise he would have turned away from the SPD and turned to the monarchist camp. Already in the imperial age the workers were the most loyal subjects. Their sad social situation drove them into the arms of the Socialists.
In several public declarations, the Crown Prince did indeed reject such speculations. He has no political ambitions, he emphasizes over and over again and does not want to become emperor for anything in the world. But does this happen voluntarily or under pressure from republican circles? The circumstances can change quickly. What if the people call him? Can he just say no? How is this compatible with the Prussian sense of duty? Or it is a matter of preventing a new Führer. Then what, Your Highness?
This question is also being discussed in the crowd present at the moment. "We don't need anything to expect from this gentleman", nestles an elderly man in a loden coat. "He finds his fulfillment in changing diapers." The contempt in his voice is clearly audible. That's what disappointed love feels like.
"I don't know, I don't know", berlinert a moustache wearer in a worn leather jacket. "The crown prince knows his duties. When his Berliners call him..."
"It would be nice", says another. "But I don't believe in it."
That night, all the monarchists are.
"Well, maybe it's all just tactics", the Lodenmann gives himself and his comrades-in-arms hope.
Hohenzollern Castle, Sigmaringen
Here in Swabian, the Prince of Prussia receives a BBC camera team. Is that a new Hun speech?
Two reporters are sitting across from the prince. This is enthroned in a velvet-covered armchair with high backrests, which seems to be taken from a history film. One of the reporters respectfully bends forward.
"Your Imperial and Royal Highness", he begins the conversation. "Or should I say: Your Majesty?"
Prince Georg Friedrich throws his head back laughing, as he always does when asked about the question of candidates for the German imperial title. "Well, that question doesn't arise right now", he replies in German. This conversation is also meant for his people.
"Many of your countrymen see it differently", insists the reporter. "The weakness of the Republican institutions, their visible inability to find pragmatic solutions. We have spoken to simple people who long for the monarchy. Are you trying to disappoint these people, Your Highness?"
"I hate to disappoint my fellow men, no matter what their standing. But you will understand that I do not make personal sensitivities of whoever the guideline of my actions."
"An emperor will not have his decisions dictated by the streets."
The prince smiles enigmatically. "Do you want a monarchy in Germany?"
"Why not?" There are close ties between the House of Prussia and the House of Windsor."
"Let's change the subject."
"I am inconsolable to be a nuisance to Your Highness. But this is the subject that interests my viewers the most."
That laugh again. He likes the English more than he would admit. No German reporter would call him His Highness. They avoid him by calling him Prince of Prussia. This is not a title, but a title, but the titles of nobility have been abolished since the Weimar period. Poor, Republican Germany.
"I understand you're not pushing for the throne. But could there be circumstances under which you would bear this burden because it is your duty?"
"What circumstances should this be?", the Prince returns the question.
"If this could prevent great disaster: Chaos, anarchy, dictatorship. Hitler would never have come to power if Kaiser Wilhelm II had not been forced to abdicate.
Like all Germans, the prince becomes very serious about this subject." This time bothers me more than anything."
The reporter nods sympathetically.
"My grandfather Prince Louis Ferdinand said that we were prostitutes as a family. It must never happen again."
"That is, under certain circumstances, you would be willing...?"
"I would do anything, but really anything, to prevent the horror scenario you suggested. But let's be realistic. My people have learned their lesson and if you allude to this new party: She has nothing to do with the NSDAP."
"What's your closest party?"
"No comment on that."
"You're supposed to be a father with passion", the BBC man now changes the subject. "Is it true that you change your youngest daughter's diapers yourself?"
"My wife and I alternate in all matters of childcare. Yesterday I changed diapers." The prince smiles again.
"The House of Prussia rides a very strict house law, according to which one must marry in accordance with one's social status. Your uncle was disinherited because he married a commoner. Can't this separation from the common people also be seen as a strategy for securing claims to power?"
"You can see it that way."
"How do you see it?"
"My great-grandfather Kaiser Wilhelm II was categorical. A marriage between noblemen and commoners was just as unthinkable for him as between ducks and swans. But we too must move with the times and discuss how we can put the whole thing on a more modern footing. "The main thing is that the family sticks together."
"So you wouldn't disown your daughter if she had a commoner..."
"This is really not the question at the moment." Ringing laughter." To conclude the subject: "We'll see how other stately homes do it, and we'll carefully rethink our traditions."
"Our Prince William has married Kate and Swedish Crown Princess Victoria has married her fitness trainer. Both marriages are very happy. "In other stately homes, therefore, we marry after love and not so professionally."
"I also married my wife out of love. Of course, I was fortunate not to have to choose between the voice of the heart and the demands of tradition. The examples you have given are ruling houses. Of course, it makes no difference in terms of protocol. However, our house may have to keep more up to tradition than, say, the house of Windsor."
"To maintain a certain exclusivity?"
"That's one way to put it."
"Your Imperial Majesty... uh, Your Highness! The President of the United States has invited you to the White House. Will you accept the invitation?"
That laugh again.
"I accepted the invitation."
"May I ask whether you have previously agreed with the Federal Chancellor or the Federal President?"
"Of course."
"With the president, the chancellor or both?"