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Friday, January 28, 2011

Kaiser rebuffs Hanover and Brunswick pretender

January 28, 1899

Kaiser Wilhelm II has made it clear that he will not be in the same room as the Duke of Cumberland, claimant to the thrones of Hanover and Brunswick.  Wilhelm II had accepted the invitation to attend the 25th wedding anniversary celebrations of the Duke and Duchess of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, but had "heard with chagrin" that the Duke of Cumberland had also been invited. 
The Kaiser, a nephew of the Duke of Saxe-Coburg, sent a "strong expression of his dissatisfaction" regarding the invitation to the Duke of Cumberland.
Although the Duke of Cumberland had "expressed regret at his inability to attend,"  Wilhelm remained in high dudgeon and stayed away," reports the New York Times.
Persistent rumors remain regarding the status of the Duke of Cumberland's eldest son, who "might one day ascend the ducal throne of Brunswick" if he renounces all claims to Hanover, "demonstrates his loyalty to Prussia and accepts the status quo by becoming an officer in a Prussian regiment of the Guards."
The German emperor's recent visit to Hanover would certainly "repudiate any intention of a rapprochement" with the Duke of Cumberland,  He has also made it clear that he "considers the union of Hanover and Prussia to be an unalterable fact."

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