The Emperor of Germany is the primary head of state within Germany. Officially known only as the German Emperor, those that hold the title are considered "First Among Equals" of all of Germany's monarchs and, by the German constitution, are also the King of Prussia. As such, all emperors have been of the Hohenzollern dynasty.
When the position was first created in 1871 in the aftermath of the Franco-Prussian War, the Emperor possessed considerable powers within the constitution, as he could declare war, appoint the Chancellor, and conduct international diplomacy with minimal oversight. The tenure of Wilhelm II saw considerable changes from the so-called "October Constitution", which limited much of the Emperor's actual powers, placing them in the hands of the Chancellor or Reichstag. The Emperor became, and remains, a mostly ceremonial position with few powers.
Symbols, Titles, and Residence[]
As the head of state of Germany, the full title is simply German Emperor (Deutscher Kaiser). Since the position is constitutionally tied to that of the King of Prussia, the German Emperor also has a significantly larger title in their capacity as Prussia's sovereign.
The German Eagle and the colors of black and white are symbols of the German Emperor due to their connection to Prussia and the House of Hohenzollern.
While the German Imperial Family, like all royal families, has a large number of estates and properties, the ceremonial residence of the German Emperor is the Berlin City Palace. Other prominent locations of note include Hohenzollern Castle in southern Germany, Sanssouci, the traditional summer palace of the Kings of Prussia, and the Cicilienhof residence in Potsdam, traditionally used by the Prince of Prussia, the heir to the German Emperor.
List[]
| King | Reign Began | Reign Ended | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Wilhelm I (1797–1888) |
1 January 1871 | 9 March 1888 |
|
Friedrich III (1831–1888) |
9 March 1888 | 15 June 1888 |
|
Wilhelm II (1859–1941) |
15 June 1888 | 4 June 1941 |
|
Wilhelm III (1882– 1951) |
4 June 1941 | 20 July 1951 |
|
Wilhelm IV (1906-1984) |
20 July 1951 | 26 September 1984 |
|
Friedrich IV (1944-) |
26 September 1984 | Incumbent |