This was hardly the best relationship to have when you wield authority in a country that was quickly challenging Britain for superiority in Europe. One minute he would be rhapsodising about his “darling grandmamma” and the next he would be damning England and her “hateful, lying, conscienceless people of hagglers”. Kaiser Wilhelm II, the eldest grandson of Queen Victoria (1819-1901), had a schizophrenic relationship with England. Kaiser Wilhelm II (1859 – 1941) – ‘Could have been wiser’. But, in effect, how much influence did the Monarchs of Europe on the brink of World War One truly wield? Was Wilhelm really the stuffed shirt that we assumed him to be? Let’s take a look at a brief rundown of the Monarchs in Europe at the time and the parts they played in one of the most destructive conflicts the world has ever seen. However, in reality, he was a hyperactive child who was being indulged by his chancellor and his generals. His styling of Warlord put him in the same category of Arminius, who is renowned for having defeated the Roman Army at the Battle of Teutoburg Forest. This was the case in Germany where the excitable and megalomaniac Kaiser Wilhelm II was keen to don the ancient mantle of Frederick the Great and march his country off to war, glory and dominance in Europe. These people are all around us and, let’s face it, are incredibly annoying! Imagine how much more annoying that would be if that person was your Emperor and Warlord…

knows that one chap who is constantly sticking his nose into things that don’t concern him, badgers people about issues he knows nothing about or constantly insists that they know what is going on and everyone should listen to them.

George wilhelm nicholas cousins