German Restoration?

[Russian]

Excuse me, but I would like to know. What opportunities to restore the German Empire in the twenty first century ?

 

[lucien]

Excuse me, but I would like to know. What opportunities to restore the German Empire in the twenty first century ?

None.

I know,short answer,but there isn't that much more to add,except many germans have a penchant for Royalty,as long as it's foreign,(preferably dutch),but the majority of the germans do not wish to establish the Monarchie again.It just isn't an issue,at all.

 

[Jo of Palatine]

None.

I know,short answer,but there isn't that much more to add,except many germans have a penchant for Royalty,as long as it's foreign,(preferably dutch),but the majority of the germans do not wish to establish the Monarchie again.It just isn't an issue,at all.

And the question is: which house to select? I never think for a moment the Bavarians could ever agree to the Hohenzollern as their Royal family. While the Prussians would not accept the Wittelsbachs. And view it from this side: otto von Habsburg has been a very well respected politician who was voted into the European Parliament. The Fuerst Hohenlohe-Öhringen is a democratic representative of his former princedom at its "Kreistag" - the regional parliament. The father of the princess of Thurn and Taxis, Count Joachim Schoenburg-Glauchau, was a member of the Federal parliament of Germany for the Glauchau-area. So if there is a political interest with one of the former reigning families, voters are quite willing to give them the chance to actively do something for their former subjects in our democracy. While the local nobility is well received if they perform public duties. Eg hosting historical festivals, like the Fuerst Oettingen-Wallerstein will do next weekend at his Harburg Castle - if you ever wanted to have a medieval dinner with the Fuerst, his wife and the hereditary princely couple: just do it there. It's not that expensive and the Wallersteins will dress up accordingly...

Here's a pic of the Fuerst and the Fuerstin on entering their castle. They even used to rent out historical clothes from their great collection if you booked for the dinner but I'm not sure if they still do.
http://www.fuerst-wallerstein.de/harburg/zoom/zoom1.htm

 

[Russian]

Excuse me, but I am surprised, that Germany has few chances for restoration of the German Empire. Unless Germany does not remember nice times of the German empire under authority of Prussian kings? As it is a pity, that such nice German Empire has stopped the existence after 1918. It is very insulting, that Imperial Russia was at war against Imperial Germany in the union with republican France and liberal England. To think only, three Greatest the Russian, German and Austrian Empires have burned down on fire of the First world war!

 

[chaz]

Dear Russian: Just read the history between 1918 and 1945 and perhaps you will see why very few would want another Reich. chaz

 

[MBGGfvB]

Maybe

I've seen some web sites by interested people in Germany that are interested in restoring the Monarchy. Generally under a Constitutional Monarchy type of model. Don't know if there's a renewed sentiment for this or whether just more 'traffic' on the WWW.

 

[Jo of Palatine]

I've seen some web sites by interested people in Germany that are interested in restoring the Monarchy. Generally under a Constitutional Monarchy type of model. Don't know if there's a renewed sentiment for this or whether just more 'traffic' on the WWW.

It's definately no topic here in Germany.

 

[Avicenna]

The last time this was a topic was back in 1932 when the Reich President was to be elected. Hindenburg, 84 years old, was running for the office. His most important rival candidates being the communist Ernst Thälmann and the national socialist Adolf Hitler. Since Hindenburg could not obtain the absolute majority a second ballot had to be carried out. Last minute a small group of conservatives tried to set up the former crown prince Wilhelm as candidate for the second ballot (April 10). It was hoped that Hindenburg as well as Hitler would renounce. Historian Professor Stribrny has well documented the whole affair (Stribny Wolfgang: Der Versuch einer Kandidatur des Kronprinzen Wilhelm bei der Reichspräsidentenwahl 1932, page 199 pp.). Basically the crown prince agreed. However, he insisted to ask his father in Dorn for approval. A small delegation, which went immediatly to Doorn, could not convince or persuade the former Kaiser. It was a very clear and definite NO. The crown prince acted accordingly. Stribny believes that the crown prince was somehow glad over the outcome since he did not believe to succeed anyway. In particular he evidently doubted that Hindenburg would renounce.

 

[MBGGfvB]

Thought I'd provide the following websites for information... I don't live in Germany, although I visit relatives every year. So, don't have a 'pulse' on the pervasive sentiment on the restoration of a monarchy...

www.deutschemonarchie.de/

www.monarchisten.de

www.aufrechte-monarchisten.de

 

[Jo of Palatine]

Thank you for providing these links. Two of those sites are about the reestablishing of the monarchy with the Hohenzollern as Royal family, while the third is about the history of the monarchies in Germany. As I said before, that is the most important point: there are so many potential monarchs....

Here's a list of the former souverain states within the German boundaries and the Heads of the Houses till 1918: now choose your preferred family..

Deutsche Fürstenstaaten - DeutscheMonarchie.de

 

[Avicenna]

And here is another one: Untitled Document
(German)
and here is the english version: Untitled Document Please note though that the information on the German site is more complex, the English one is more of a summary.

 

[MBGGfvB]

I guess that even though there is some activity on the WWW, there really isn't much discussion in the mainstream German Media or tabloids magazines on the topic?

 

[Avicenna]

I guess that even though there is some activity on the WWW, there really isn't much discussion in the mainstream German Media or tabloids magazines on the topic?

None at all I am afraid

 

[MBGGfvB]

Seems interesting though. When I visit, there are many magazines with articles on the other royals and nobility in Europe, which appear to have much circulation; but I guess not at 'home'. (?)

 

[Royal historian]

i wished that germany had never abolished the monarchy because hitler woul've never became the dictator he was

 

[Jo of Palatine]

i wished that germany had never abolished the monarchy because hitler woul've never became the dictator he was

Well, shortly before Hitler actually was voted into office the Crown Prince of Prussia was asked to run for office as well and he would have wanted to, but his father, the still living (though exiled) emperor Wilhelm II. told him not to do it so the mighty conservatives in Germany sided with Hitler instead due to lack of a real alternative. So it was not for lack of occassion...

But I think most people don't understand why it is unthinkable that Germany restores the monarchy: because now we are one state with important federal elements. It is unthinkable that we could settle for one crowned Head of State and not reinstall all the other Royals into their regional place as well. And who could pay for that? And who would want that in today's time?

Plus we have had a very impressive list of Bundespraesidents (Presidents of the Federal Republic of Germany) till today - so many competent men and each brought something important to the political culture of our country and to the country as a whole. Sorry, but at the moment I don't see a German Royal who could offer similar virtues.

 

[Helen88]

Jo, I agree! The German royals are mostly simply embarrasing (Gloria, Ferfried...)!

 

[Royal historian]

well yes i say there will have to live like normall people instead of thinking of themselves superior than others .still some german aristocrats marrying each other, it seems that there barred sommon people from their families .Yes gloria of thurn and taxi has became an embarassment what upset me the most was her comment toward the africans about aids and whos ferfried please can have more info

 

[R_Bee]

Royal historian-there is a thread just below this one about Prince Ferfried and his ex-wives that has all kinds of info in it. Anything you want to know will probably be there.

 

[fearghas]

I disagree that all the german royals are an embarresmant. The Wurttembergs, Bavarians and Prince George Friderich von Prussian are still very esteemed today, including by politicians. The Furst of Shuamberg Lippe is very well respected by people in his area as are many of the others, including the Hohenzollern-Sigmaringens despite Ferfried. I agree that there is very little chance of re-establishing the German royal familes but never say never

 

[MBGGfvB]

I would tend to agree with Feargas. There appear, from this perspective, to be a good share of German nobles/princely families who would seem to have the esteem of their peers and countrymen. Of course there is a share of those that don't. That's normally the case with any population of people. I hope the good that these others do gets more publicity. I think perhaps they don't get the credit for the good things they do. Maybe better Public Relations?

 

[Jo of Palatine]

I disagree that all the german royals are an embarresmant. The Wurttembergs, Bavarians and Prince George Friderich von Prussian are still very esteemed today, including by politicians. The Furst of Shuamberg Lippe is very well respected by people in his area as are many of the others, including the Hohenzollern-Sigmaringens despite Ferfried. I agree that there is very little chance of re-establishing the German royal familes but never say never

Of course they are not all an embarrasment - but there enough of them to real be one! So if ever a discussion would start about which Royal to choose, we would get presented all those first who are not fitting. Because I doubt there are monarchy-friendly media outlets around apart from the Yellow Press.

We just had votes in Bavaria which is a very traditional, conservative part of Germany with Upper Bavaria (Oberbayerm) as the center. I voted in Upper Bavaria and noticed only one noble name from close to 500 persons you could choose your candidate from. So obviously the nobility is not much interested in running for office over here....

 

[MBGGfvB]

Jo of Palatine,

Any idea why there are not many nobles running for election in BRD? 1 out of 500 in Oberbayern is not much. What is keeping them from running? Seems like they can be popular (good and bad ways), given the 'yellow' press, but maybe they think it contrary to run for election?
Do you think a constitutional monarchy model would even considered by them? My recollection of history within Imperial Germany is that the royal and noble families were more autocratic in the past than liberal (e.g. not a constitutional monarchy model). Maybe they could accept a more liberal model?

Seems, however, that the German public would be skeptical...

 

[fearghas]

Many of the minor German states were quite liberal. Oldenburg I know was a constitutional monarch, The Grand Duchy of Baden was very liberal, especially in its treatment of people with different religolnss. And while they may have been theoretically autocratic many of the rest were in practice not. The various monarchs prided themselves on having a personal relationship with their subjects and most of them would have a special day during the week when any of the people could approach the monarch with their disputes etc. The Federal systen was different and certainly the last Kaiser was very autocratic and despotic. As I feel he was a weak man who liked the image rather than the substance of being an autocrat he clung to his powers but neglected his responsabilities.

 

[Wilhelm Great]

I love Hohenzollerns.Hohenzollern is one of the most excellent emperors.It is very good and important for Germany and all Germans to restore monarchy.Why have not German catch to the power in monarchy.No monarchy is an important reason.You can see Japan.Japan become the second strongest ecomical country with monarchy.

 

[Jo of Palatine]

I love Hohenzollerns.Hohenzollern is one of the most excellent emperors.It is very good and important for Germany and all Germans to restore monarchy.Why have not German catch to the power in monarchy.No monarchy is an important reason.You can see Japan.Japan become the second strongest ecomical country with monarchy.

As I have tried to explain the polirtical structure of Germany is quite different from the one that was till 1918. There is no way back without seriously endangering Germany's economy and its position in Europe. noone wants that, especially as the "heirs" to the former German monarchies have no real positive public profile today.

 

[fearghas]

I disagree that some of the heirs have no positive profile. The Dukes of Bavaria and Wurrtemberg are very well respected in their respective states.

 

[RoyalistRiley]

I was reading on another royal site that a study done in 2006 showed that many Germans were unsatsified with the way their country is run, beleive enjoy lower living standards and are more pessimistic when looking to the future (Pessimistic Germans Losing Faith in Democracy, Study Shows | Germany | Deutsche Welle | 17.09.2006). Perhaps installing a non-elected royal as Head of State would allow Germans to feel more proud of their country and let them see that the bad times always end and turn out better?

 

[Bones]

I've heard from Germans before that if any pro-monarchy group became too popular they would probably be declared a threat to the current constitution and banned -it is not terribly hard to do. The official government position seems rather hostile to monarchy -though not so much as other republics that ban it outright. I think it would be good for Germany to restore the monarchies. It does not look like there will ever be a time when the events of World War II are not looming in the background but, given that, I think it would be good to have some established connection for modern Germany with German history and traditions before all the ugliness of the World Wars. Of course it wouldn't be *exactly* like the old German Empire but I think there could be a 'black-red-gold monarchy' that would work perfectly well.

 

[lucien]

I've heard from Germans before that if any pro-monarchy group became too popular they would probably be declared a threat to the current constitution and banned -it is not terribly hard to do. The official government position seems rather hostile to monarchy -though not so much as other republics that ban it outright. I think it would be good for Germany to restore the monarchies. It does not look like there will ever be a time when the events of World War II are not looming in the background but, given that, I think it would be good to have some established connection for modern Germany with German history and traditions before all the ugliness of the World Wars. Of course it wouldn't be *exactly* like the old German Empire but I think there could be a 'black-red-gold monarchy' that would work perfectly well.

Banned?You're wrong,they wouldn't be banned,they would never gain the popularity you so desperately hope for to even think on it seriously.Absolute nonsense.You can tell what you like to anyone here,but not to me.Completely unrealistic .

Popularity of the Monarchy is large,but not large enough,and for the most part directed towards foreign Royal Families,ie,the dutch are very popular,so is Swedens Royal House as that has a former german Lady as its Queen.

A Monarchist movement,any,in Germany,is just a sort of couleur locale,and very local at that.Even though I do like and respect George very much,he will never wear a crown,and he knows it as he is very much so a realist.

Germans,like many others,can complain about this that and another thing,just like everybody else,but that doesn't mean they expect a Monarchy to be any better.First of all it would be a Constitutional Monarchal system,gone are the days of little Willy,and then still you
have to wait and see what the cattle votes for,the Vox Populi,always a difficult factor,they hail one one day,down him the next,it has not changed for thousands of odd years.

A Brown sort of incompetent creature/fruitcake,or a capable Merkel,never depending on the Monarch to choose.A Monarch,these days,is above party politics so some of you are mixing up matters,making it jolly futter to read and delete but lacking any substance on reality.

Sorry folks,but the majority of my dear neighbours to the east get all romantic and schwärmerisch at any Royal wedding and visit,but it is Nie Wieder when it comes to actually restoring a Monarchy in Deutschland.
With all due respect to dear HI&RH Prince George.