The Crown Prince's Funeral
On June 11, 1887, the German royal family announced the passing of the Crown Prince.
“Today, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, the victor in the sieges of Nahe, Schalitz, Schweinsfeld, Königsgrätz, Bisanburg, Württemberg, Beaumont, Sedan, and Paris, has passed away.”
The late Crown Prince was a brave hero who always fought on the front lines in the two wars that placed the empire in crisis, leading the nation to victory.
The Prussian royal family announced the tragedy to the nation, listing his sacrifices for the empire and the tragic nature of his death.
Accordingly, flags were lowered to half-mast at all public institutions in Berlin and Potsdam, and the highest level of mourning orders were issued to the military.
“His Royal Highness has passed. Avoid any ostentatious displays and show respect to the deceased in silence.”
Despite any political differences, the Crown Prince was a war hero who led the empire to victory.
No one objected to honoring him in any way.
The court also entered the mourning period, with everyone wearing dark clothes.
“Is it really true that Father has passed? I still can’t believe it.”
Soon, Sophie, who was to become the new bride, said with a somber expression.
“I feel the same way.”
Waldemar didn’t know how to comfort his grieving sisters.
No, he himself couldn’t escape the complex emotions brought by the Crown Prince’s death.
“Lower the flags to half-mast and put on mourning. Erase all thoughts of parties and such from your minds.”
With the legal heir dead, the entire empire was enveloped in a solemn atmosphere.
The royal family watched the Crown Prince’s body being placed in the coffin at the Crown Prince’s palace.
Friedrich III, who had been a strong soldier in his lifetime, was laid to rest in a black velvet-covered coffin.
In the coffin were the Prussian crown, the Crown Prince’s sword, the Iron Cross First Class he received in his lifetime, the black-red-gold German Empire flag, and the Hohenzollern family crest.
With all these symbols, Friedrich III’s dreams and future also entered the coffin along with his life, glory, and family.
Until the funeral, the Crown Prince’s body was strictly guarded by the guards.
The funeral was set for June 18 to consider foreign mourners.
Until then, the Hohenzollern family conducted the mourning procedures and welcomed mourners from various places.
The order of mourning was as follows:
Wilhelm I and Crown Prince Wilhelm (later Wilhelm II), the imperial family, monarchs of the German federal states, foreign royal representatives, Imperial Chancellor Bismarck, senior officers, diplomatic envoys in that order.
Public mourning for citizens was limited.
*With the Crown Prince’s death, the heir Wilhelm automatically became the Crown Prince.
Of course, these citizens were mostly the highest bourgeoisie or bureaucrats.
Waldemar met Edward, the uncle of the British royal family who came to mourn, and cousin George, and exchanged greetings.
The British relatives showed respect to the Emperor and Crown Prince but didn’t talk much with them.
In fact, their relationship wasn’t good, and there was no reason to talk much.
They approached Victoria, the Crown Princess, and Waldemar who was standing there.
“Waldi.”
“Uncle, George.”
“Yes, I know your heart. But now, harden your heart. From now on, your mother is something you must protect.”
Waldemar nodded at his uncle’s words.
“Don’t worry.”
“Yes, you can do it.”
Edward encouraged Waldemar and said if he needed help, contact anytime.
Waldemar expressed gratitude for the concern shown as relatives, separate from the relationship between Britain and Germany.
Cousin George also stumbled over his words to console Waldemar.
“Waldi. If there’s anything difficult, come to England anytime. If you come, I’ll make time.”
“Thank you, George.”
“Thank you. We’re closer than anyone, right?”
It wasn’t wrong.
Waldemar and George were cousins, and Alix, his fiancée, was cousin to both.
In fact, it’s hard to find such close family ties in any European royal family.
After Edward and George, the Hessian relatives came to console.
They were family of the aunts/uncles of Waldemar and Heinrich by blood, so it was natural to attend.
“Waldi. From now on, harden your heart.”
“Yes.”
Instead of saying many words, Ludwig IV and Prince Ernst patted his shoulders to show encouragement.
Cousins like Victoria, Elisabeth, and Irene also came one by one to console.
“Your Highness, are you all right?”
Alix, the fiancée who was sandwiched between her sisters, cautiously spoke to him.
“I’m fine.”
Waldemar answered Alix that he was fine.
“Your Highness’s expression doesn’t look good.”
“It will be fine soon.”
Alix hesitated for a moment and stood next to Waldemar.
“Ali, why?”
“Because I’m your fiancée, it’s right for me to be here.”
She argued that this is fulfilling her duty as a fiancée.
The Hessian people looked at her with expressions that said they couldn’t do anything about it.
“Waldi, Alix should be by your side.”
“Alix, it would be hard here.”
“I can endure it.”
Waldemar couldn’t do anything about Alix, who was weak but insisted on being next to him.
The mourning period lasted three days according to etiquette.
During this time, the royal family welcomed numerous domestic and foreign mourners.
In the process, Waldemar met many people.
Nobles and high-ranking nobles and political figures who are rarely seen in social circles stood everywhere he looked.
Waldemar thought he couldn’t miss this opportunity besides the grief of losing his father.
But.
Going around begging for connections now wouldn’t look good.
He couldn’t afford to damage his reputation for a short-term gain.
Waldemar suppressed his greed and returned to the appearance of a prince lost in grief.
He only interacted with close relatives and maintained his position.
During the difficult mourning period, the royals solemnly welcomed guests according to rank and status.
“Alix, now you can rest.”
“Really?”
Alix, who had been exhausted by the long mourning procedure, sat down with relief.
Waldemar simply provided her with something to drink.
After the mourning procedure of welcoming domestic and foreign guests ended, the royal family held the funeral according to the procedures.
The funeral procession was prepared in advance by the government and royal family, so there was no room for diplomatic disputes.
The funeral procession was slightly smaller than the Emperor’s but almost the same scale.
“Since he was the one who could ascend the throne, this kind of procession does not go against etiquette.”
Everyone accepted the explanation of the court etiquette officials.
In fact, even if the explanation was wrong, no one would object to the matter already agreed upon by the Kaiser, the Chancellor, and the Crown Prince.
Cavalry led the way, followed by military bands, guns, and medal flags.
Behind them, an eight-horse-drawn black funeral carriage carrying the Crown Prince’s coffin followed, under their solemn escort.
The rear of the funeral carriage was followed by a line led by Wilhelm I and the Crown Prince.
Waldemar also walked following this procession according to rank.
Millions of citizens, wearing black armbands, accompanied this solemn procession.
“Honor to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!”
Since the Crown Prince was a field marshal, the military gave the highest level of respect.
101 gun salutes, the military band’s dirge, rifle shots from the guard regiment, and half-mast at all barracks were carried out.
The religious community, including Luther’s church, also showed respect.
The funeral bells of all churches across the nation rang to mourn the Crown Prince’s death.
It took a considerable amount of time until the long procession arrived at Berlin Cathedral from the Crown Prince’s palace.
Finally, when the funeral procession arrived at Berlin Cathedral, the pastors who came to greet them welcomed them.
“We will escort Your Highness to the right path.”
“I entrust it to you.”
According to tradition, the Hohenzollern royal family held the service in the Lutheran style.
The Lutheran pastors decorated the altar and pulpit with black armbands according to tradition and placed the royal flags and Hohenzollern crests.
In the main prayer hall of the cathedral, hundreds of candles and chandeliers were already brightly lit.
The prayer hall created a solemn atmosphere rather than splendor overall.
The major foreign guests and royals held the final ceremony in this main prayer hall.
Following the performance of the large pipe organ, people sang hymns.
Then, together with the pastor, they read the Bible, listened to the sermon, and prayed for the peace of the imperial family.
“Almighty and eternal God, who rules this country by Your providence and grants all authority, today we bow before You in deep sorrow.”
Finally, the service ended with prayers for the nation and military salutes.
After the funeral ceremony, people prepared the burial place for the Crown Prince.
There was some commotion over the choice of burial place.
In fact, before the surgery, the Crown Prince had hoped for burial in Friedenskirche.
This was a decision based on his own liberal tendencies and desire for simplicity in personal character.
Wilhelm I thought this will was nonsense.
The Kaiser ordered that according to tradition, he be buried in Potsdam or the royal cemetery of the cathedral, but unexpectedly, Wilhelm II stepped in to help his father.
“Grandfather, this is Father’s last wish.”
“But, what I say is tradition.”
“I know, Grandfather. But I think the Hohenzollern tradition is not as heavy as Father’s last wish.”
In the last moment, Wilhelm I couldn’t be harsh with his son.
“Very well.”
By Wilhelm I’s decision, the burial was decided to be in Friedenskirche church.
Foreign state guests harbored doubts whether the Crown Prince was completely disgraced from the royal family.
Amid all relatives watching, the Crown Prince was quietly buried in the church that his grandfather Friedrich Wilhelm IV (Wilhelm I’s brother) had affection for.
And the era he symbolized also ended.
Liberalism, peace, and stable hegemony.
These were to be replaced by the values of the new era symbolized by Wilhelm II.
Militarism, war, and aggressive world policy.
The winds of change had already begun to blow.
Waldemar unconsciously took Alix’s small hand.
He had prepared many things in preparation for the Wilhelm era, but he couldn’t help but feel uneasy at this moment.
“Your Highness?”
“Just, stay like this for a moment.”
Waldemar held Alix’s hand and watched the father’s coffin being covered with soil.