William II of Württemberg

William II (German Wilhelm II) (25 February 1848, Stuttgart – 2 October 1921, Bebenhausen) was the fourth King of Württemberg, from 6 October 1891 until the abolition of the kingdom on 30 November 1918. He was the son of Prince Frederick of Württemberg (1808–1870) and his wife Princess Catherine Frederica of Württemberg (1821–1898), daughter of King William I of Württemberg (1781–1864); his parents were first cousins.

King of Württemberg
Upon the death of his childless maternal uncle, King Charles I (1823–1891), he succeeded to the throne of Württemberg. Though his claim appeared contrary to Salic law, as his mother Princess Catherine was the daughter of William I, on his father's side he was also the senior male-line descendant of Frederick I of Württemberg through his younger son Prince Paul.

Despite living in a landlocked kingdom, William II was a ship enthusiast. 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.

In Stuttgart his capital he built the Wilhelmspalais.

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"). William finally abdicated on 30 November 1918.

Under his reign the Weizsäcker family rose to prominence as officials and advisers.

Marriages and children
On 15 February 1877 at Arolsen he married Princess Marie of Waldeck and Pyrmont (1857–1882). They had three children:
 * Princess Pauline of Württemberg (19 December 1877 – 7 May 1965); married in 1898 William Frederick, Prince of Wied (1872–1945), and had issue.
 * Prince Ulrich of Württemberg (28 July 1880 – 28 December 1880)
 * a stillborn daughter (24 April 1882)

Marie died on 30 April 1882 in Stuttgart, from complications resulting from the birth of her third child. William, already depressed by the death of his only son, is said never to have recovered from this blow.

On 8 April 1886 at Bückeburg, he married Princess Charlotte of Schaumburg-Lippe (1864–1946). They had no children.

Succession
With William II's death in 1921 without male issue, the senior branch of the House of Württemberg became extinct. The ducal branch became the new dynastic-branch of the House; thus, the Kingship was extinguished and the headship of the house devolved to a dukedom, specifically onto Albrecht, Duke of Württemberg.

Decorations and awards

 * Awards of Württemberg
 * Grand Master of the following Orders:


 * Order of the Crown
 * Order of Military Merit
 * Friedrich Order
 * Order of Olga


 * Foreign awards
 * Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece (Austria)
 * Knight of the Order of the Garter (United Kingdom) - Expelled in 1915
 * Knight of the Supreme Order of the Most Holy Annunciation (Kingdom of Italy)
 * Knight Grand Cross of the Military Order of Max Joseph (Kingdom of Bavaria)
 * Knight Grand Cross of the Military Order of St. Henry (Kingdom of Saxony)
 * Pour le Mérite (German Empire)