Crown Prince Wilhelm was the eldest son of Kaiser Wilhelm II, the last German Emperor, and was born on May 6, 1882. He was a prominent figure during the late German Empire and served in the military during World War I. His royal status made him a symbol of the imperial family, but he faced challenges due to the political climate of the time. After the abdication of his father in 1918, Wilhelm's status changed dramatically. He lived in exile in Germany and later in Switzerland, where he remained largely out of the public eye. His life reflected the decline of the monarchy in Germany and the rise of the Weimar Republic.