Kaiser Wilhelm III was the last German Emperor and King of Prussia, reigning from 1888 until his abdication in 1918. He was born on March 6, 1859, and was the grandson of Kaiser Wilhelm I. His reign saw significant political and social changes in Germany, including the rise of militarism and the buildup of the German Empire. Wilhelm III's leadership during World War I was marked by military struggles and political challenges. As the war progressed, public discontent grew, leading to his eventual abdication on November 9, 1918, and the end of the German monarchy. He spent the rest of his life in exile in the Netherlands.