The latter years of the First World War had seen Wilhelm’s role reduced to that of a ‘shadow Kaiser’ who handled ceremonial duties while generals Hindenburg and Ludendorff dominated what historian Gordon A. Craig referred to as ‘a military dictatorship’.

By September 1918 it had become clear to the German military commanders that the war was lost. Prince Maximilian of Baden was appointed as the new Chancellor of Germany on 3 October and, the next day, sent out a message requesting an armistice in the hope that it would be accepted by US President Woodrow Wilson. By the end of the month it had become increasingly clear that the Allies would only negotiate if Wilhelm II abdicated.

Meanwhile the situation within Germany was rapidly declining. Years of enduring the hardships of war had reduced morale and, when the Imperial Naval Command in Kiel issued an order on 24 October to prepare for a final battle against the British Royal Navy, the sailors mutinied. The revolt quickly spread throughout Germany leaving Maximilian little choice but to confront Wilhelm, who had fled to the military headquarters in the Belgian town of Spa, and request his abdication.

Before he was able to make the journey, however, the growing German Revolution prevented Maximilian from leaving Berlin. On 9 November he unilaterally announced the abdication of the Kaiser. Having been informed by his military commanders that they would not fight to keep him on the throne, Wilhelm had little option but to consent. He left Belgium the next day and went into exile in the Netherlands, where he died in 1941.

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