Wilhelm II and His Parents

Abstract Wilhelm’s effort to come to terms with issues growing out of his relationship with Friedrich and Victoria and out of their relationship with each other would continue after he became Kaiser. Even when his parents were no longer physically a part of his life, they exerted psychological influence over him. Indeed, already in his rebellion as a young adult, Wilhelm was struggling not only with Friedrich and Victoria as separately experienced individuals but also with features of their personalities that had become incorporated in himself. Therefore, by way of concluding this investigation of Wilhelm’s development, let us consider his personality in light of the personalities of Friedrich and Victoria.