German royalty refers to the various noble families and monarchs that ruled over different regions of what is now modern-day Germany. Historically, these royal families included the Hohenzollerns, who ruled Prussia, and the Wettins, who governed Saxony. The German Empire was established in 1871, uniting many of these states under the leadership of the Kaiser. The monarchy in Germany came to an end after World War I, when the last Kaiser, Wilhelm II, abdicated in 1918. Following this, Germany became a republic, and the royal families lost their political power. However, many descendants of these royal families still exist today and often participate in cultural and charitable activities.