Kaiser Wilhelm II in a kilt

[Schultz]

I was watching a dvd on World War I last night and they showed a picture of the Kaiser as a child in full highland regalia, complete with fly plaid and horsehair sporran. Of course, being the eldest grandchild of good Queen Vic, that's not surprising, but I was wondering if anyone else has ever seen such a picture? It fascinated me to no end, especially considering the German soldiers would later christen the Highland regiments as the Ladies from Hell.

[macwilkin]

I was watching a dvd on World War I last night and they showed a picture of the Kaiser as a child in full highland regalia, complete with fly plaid and horsehair sporran. Of course, being the eldest grandchild of good Queen Vic, that's not surprising, but I was wondering if anyone else has ever seen such a picture? It fascinated me to no end, especially considering the German soldiers would later christen the Highland regiments as the Ladies from Hell.

I can't say I've seen a picture of "Willie" in a kilt before, but several members of Europe's royal houses (and all related to Victoria) served as honourary colonels-in-chief of British Regiments. For example, Tsar Nicholas II served in that function for the Scots Greys; there is a painting of "Nicky" in their uniform on their web site. An icon of Nicholas was presented to the regiment, and it has been carried with the regiment in combat ever since, including the latest operations in Mesopotamia:

http://heritage.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=759622005

Cheers,

Todd

[SnakeEyes]

Excellent, I hope more people have something to add to this thread. I'm obsessed with anything to do with Queen Victoria's family.

[macwilkin]

Farwell's Mr. Kipling's Army has a fair amount to say about the customs and traditions of the Victorian and Edwardian British Army, including the Royals. It's well worth checking out.

T.

[macwilkin]

A picture of Tsar Nicholas II in the uniform of the Scots Greys (now the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards/SCOTS DG):

http://www.army.mod.uk/scotsdg/histo..._uniforms.htm#

Cheers,

Todd

[McClef]

I don't think I have seen a pic of the Kaiser wearing a kilt at any age but certainly they were popular for Victorian Royal children and at Balmoral almost de rigeur for royal adults also.

It was also common for honorary military appointments to be interchanged and to wear the appropriate uniforms on family visits. So he could well have worn a kilt on occasion as an adult too but a search has so far not revealed any photographs.

Wilhelm was a member of the Order of the Thistle too but was divested of that honour during WW1 as well as other British ranks and honours.

In the UK TV series Fall of Eagles when he was played by Barry Foster, he is shown kilted as an adult in one scene.