Wilhelm II was the last German Emperor and King of Prussia, ruling from 1888 until his abdication in 1918. He was born on January 27, 1859, and was known for his militaristic and nationalistic policies. His reign saw the expansion of the German Empire and significant industrial growth, but also increasing tensions in Europe. His foreign policy, often characterized by a desire for a "place in the sun," contributed to the outbreak of World War I. After Germany's defeat, Wilhelm II fled to the Netherlands, where he lived in exile until his death on June 4, 1941.