List of monarchs of Prussia
Chronological list and overview of the kings who ruled Prussia from the 1701 coronation to the 1918 abdication, with notes on titles, dynastic context, and the union with the German Empire.
Overview
The monarchy of Prussia was held by the Hohenzollern dynasty from the early 18th century until 1918. The title originated when the Elector of Brandenburg acquired the Duchy of Prussia and, in 1701, elevated his status to a king within that territory. Over the 18th and 19th centuries the Prussian crown became one of the most powerful in central Europe and ultimately formed the leading monarchy of the German Empire.
Image gallery
10 Images
Titles and terminology
The earliest royal style used by the new Prussian sovereign was "King in Prussia" rather than "King of Prussia." This careful wording reflected complex legal and diplomatic realities in which parts of historic Prussia were entangled with other states, notably the Kingdom of Poland. By the later 18th century some rulers preferred the simpler form "King of Prussia"—a usage associated with figures such as Frederick the Great—and it became common in diplomatic and public practice.
Monarchs (chronological)
- Frederick I (1701–1713) — first crowned King in Prussia after securing royal status for the Hohenzollern ruler of Brandenburg–Prussia.
- Frederick William I (1713–1740) — consolidated state finances and military organization.
- Frederick II "the Great" (1740–1786) — expanded territory and prestige; later commonly styled "King of Prussia."
- Frederick William II (1786–1797)
- Frederick William III (1797–1840)
- Frederick William IV (1840–1861)
- William I (1861–1888) — became German Emperor in 1871 while retaining the Prussian crown.
- Frederick III (1888) — short reign during the year known as the "Year of the Three Emperors."
- William II (1888–1918) — last German Emperor and King of Prussia; abdicated in 1918, ending the monarchy.
Significance and historical context
Prussia's kings oversaw the transformation of a regional ducal state into a dominant European power. Military reform, administrative centralization and territorial expansion under successive monarchs made Prussia the core of a united Germany in 1871. From that date the Prussian king usually also held the title of German Emperor, so the two crowns were linked until the collapse of imperial rule at the end of World War I.
Notes and distinctions
Although the styles "King in Prussia" and "King of Prussia" may seem interchangeable to casual readers, they reflect shifting claims and diplomatic sensitivities. The Prussian monarchy survived many European upheavals but ended when Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated in 1918. For further reading on individual reigns and administrative changes, consult specialized biographies and archives.
Questions and answers
Q: What title did Frederick the Great start using in 1772?
A: Frederick the Great started using the title of King of Prussia in 1772.
Q: What title did Frederick the Great use before becoming King of Prussia?
A: Before becoming King of Prussia, Frederick the Great called himself King in Prussia.
Q: Who kept using the title of King of Prussia after they became German Emperors?
A: The rulers of Berlin kept using the title of King of Prussia after they became German Emperors.
Q: When did Kaiser Wilhelm II resign from the throne?
A: Kaiser Wilhelm II resigned or abdicated from the throne in 1918.
Q: Why did Frederick the Great change his title to King of Prussia?
A: Frederick the Great changed his title to King of Prussia after he acquired part of the Kingdom of Poland.
Q: Was Frederick the Great the first monarch of Prussia?
A: No, Frederick the Great was not the first monarch of Prussia.
Q: When did the monarchs of Prussia stop using the title of King of Prussia?
A: The monarchs of Prussia stopped using the title of King of Prussia after Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated or resigned in 1918.
Related articles
Author
AlegsaOnline.com List of monarchs of Prussia Leandro Alegsa
URL: https://en.alegsaonline.com/art/53561