Prince Henry of Prussia (1862–1929)

1. Overview

Prince Heinrich of Prussia, born Albert Wilhelm Heinrich^German on August 14, 1862, in Berlin, was a prominent figure of the German Empire. The younger brother of Emperor Wilhelm II and a grandson of Queen Victoria through his mother, Victoria, Princess Royal, Heinrich dedicated his life to naval service and technological innovation. He rose through the ranks of the Imperial German Navy, eventually achieving the distinguished rank of Grand Admiral (Großadmiral^German) and serving as Inspector General of the Navy (Generalinspekteur der Marine^German). Beyond his military career, Prince Heinrich was known for his diplomatic engagements, notably becoming the first European royal received at the Chinese imperial court and undertaking significant visits to Japan and Korea. His personal interests extended to modern technology, including automobiles and aviation, and he was an ardent enthusiast of yachting and car racing. Heinrich's life spanned a period of immense change, from the height of the German Empire to its dissolution after World War I, and he continued to influence his passions until his death in 1929.

2. Early Life and Background

Prince Heinrich's early life was marked by his royal lineage and an education that prepared him for a distinguished career in the German Imperial Navy.

2.1. Birth and Family

Born on August 14, 1862, in Berlin, Kingdom of Prussia, German Confederation, Prince Heinrich was the third child and second son of Crown Prince Frederick William (later Emperor Frederick III) and Victoria, Princess Royal. Through his mother, he was a direct grandson of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. He was three years younger than his elder brother, the future Emperor Wilhelm II, and was born on the same day as King Frederick William I, known as the "Soldier-King." His mother, Empress Victoria, held high intellectual expectations for her children, but Heinrich reportedly struggled to meet them. In a letter to Queen Victoria, she described Heinrich as "hopelessly lazy," a sentiment that contributed to his eventual dislike for his mother, a feeling shared by his brother Wilhelm II and sister Charlotte.

2.2. Education

Heinrich's formal education began with attendance at a gymnasium in Kassel, which he left in 1877 at the age of 15. Following this, he immediately enrolled in the Imperial German Navy cadet program. His rigorous naval training included a two-year voyage around the world from 1878 to 1880, which provided him with invaluable practical experience. During this extensive journey, he notably spent time in Japan as a naval officer cadet from June 1879 to April 1880. After passing the naval officer examination in October 1880, he continued his academic training at the German naval academy from 1884 to 1886. His experiences during these foreign visits later inspired him to publish his memoirs.

3. Naval Career

Prince Heinrich's entire naval career saw him rise through the ranks from a naval cadet to a Grand Admiral, holding significant commands and contributing to the defense of Germany's coasts.

3.1. Naval Entry and Early Ship Commands

As an imperial prince, Heinrich quickly achieved various command positions. In 1887, he was appointed commander of a torpedo boat and simultaneously led the First Torpedo Boat Division. The following year, in 1888, he commanded the imperial yacht `SMY Hohenzollern^German`. From 1889 to 1890, he successively served as captain of the protected cruiser `SMS Irene`, the coastal defense ship `SMS Beowulf`, the ironclad `SMS Sachsen`, and the pre-dreadnought battleship `SMS Wörth`.

3.2. Squadron and Fleet Commands

Beginning in 1897, Prince Heinrich took command of several major naval task forces. In 1898, he led an improvised squadron that collaborated with the East Asia Squadron to consolidate and secure German control over the Kiaochow region and the port of Tsingtao. His success in this role was more diplomatic than military, as he became the first European royal to be received at the Chinese imperial court. In 1899, he was officially appointed Commander of the East Asia Squadron. After concluding his command of the East Asia Squadron in January 1901 and returning to Germany, he was made commander of a capital-ship squadron later that autumn. In 1903, he assumed command of the Baltic Sea naval station. From 1906 to 1909, Prince Heinrich served as the Commander-in-Chief of the High Seas Fleet, the main battle fleet of the Imperial German Navy. In 1909, upon leaving this command, he was promoted to the highest naval rank of Grand Admiral (Großadmiral^German).

3.3. World War I Service

At the outset of World War I in 1914, Prince Heinrich was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the newly formed Baltic Sea Fleet. Despite the fact that the resources allocated to his command were significantly inferior to those of the Russian Baltic Fleet, he managed to keep the Russian naval forces largely on the defensive until the February Revolution of 1917. His strategic leadership successfully prevented major Russian attacks on the German coast. After the cessation of hostilities with Russia, his mission concluded, and Prince Heinrich retired from active duty. With the end of the war and the dissolution of the monarchy in Germany, he formally left the navy. Although he publicly opposed the German Revolution, he prioritized his family's safety and evacuated from Kiel.

3.4. Key Positions and Promotions

Prince Heinrich's naval career saw a steady progression through various ranks and key positions within the Imperial German Navy:

Unterleutnant zur See (Unterleutnant zur See_{Second Lieutenant}^German): August 14, 1872 (Start of basic training and naval academy).
Leutnant zur See (Leutnant zur See_{Lieutenant junior grade}^German): October 18, 1881 (Followed training cruises and naval academy).
Kapitänleutnant (Kapitänleutnant_Lieutenant^German): October 18, 1884 (Served as Executive Officer on the ironclad corvette `SMS Oldenburg` in 1886).
Korvettenkapitän (Korvettenkapitän_{Corvette Captain}^German): October 18, 1887 (Commanded the 1st Torpedo Boat Division in 1887 and the Imperial Yacht `SMY Hohenzollern` in 1888).
Kapitän zur See (Kapitän zur See_{Captain at Sea}^German): January 27, 1889 (Commands included `SMS Irene` (1889-1890), `SMS Beowulf` (1892), `SMS Sachsen` (1892-1894), and `SMS Wörth` (1894-1895)).
Konteradmiral (Konteradmiral_{Rear Admiral}^German): September 15, 1895 (Commanded the 2nd Division, 1st Battle Squadron (1896-1897), and the 2nd Division, Cruiser Squadron (1897-1899)).
Vizeadmiral (Vizeadmiral_{Vice Admiral}^German): December 5, 1899 (Commands included the Cruiser Squadron (1899-1900) and the 1st Battle Squadron (1900-1903)).
Admiral (Admiral^German): September 13, 1901 (Served as Commanding Admiral of the Baltic Sea Naval Command (1903-1906) and Commander of the High Seas Fleet (1906-1909)).
Großadmiral (Großadmiral_{Grand Admiral}^German): September 4, 1909 (Appointed Inspector General of the Imperial Navy (1909-1918) and Commander-in-Chief of the Baltic Fleet (1914-1918)).

4. Personal Life and Interests

Prince Heinrich's life extended beyond his military duties, revealing a personality characterized by humility, an affinity for modern technology, and a passion for various sports.

4.1. Personality and Private Life

On May 24, 1888, Heinrich married his first cousin, Princess Irene of Hesse and by Rhine. Their marriage was attended by his ailing father, Emperor Frederick III, and his mother, Empress Victoria. The couple had three sons:

Name	Birth	Death	Notes
Waldemar William Louis Frederick Victor Henry	March 20, 1889	May 2, 1945	Married Princess Calixta of Lippe-Biesterfeld, had no issue.
William Victor Charles Augustus Henry Sigismund	November 27, 1896	November 14, 1978	Married Princess Charlotte of Saxe-Altenburg, had issue.
Henry Victor Louis Frederick	January 9, 1900	February 26, 1904	Was a hemophiliac and died at age four after bumping his head.

Prince Heinrich with his wife, Princess Irene, and their sons Waldemar and Sigismund (c. 1910)

Both Prince Waldemar and the youngest Prince Henry inherited hemophilia, a genetic condition passed down through their mother Irene from her maternal grandmother, Queen Victoria, who was a carrier of the disease. In contrast to his elder brother, Emperor Wilhelm II, Prince Heinrich was known for his humble demeanor, which made him popular among soldiers and the general populace, particularly in northern Germany. He was also regarded as a skilled diplomat, leaving a favorable impression on American journalists and receiving a warm welcome from the German-American community during his 1902 visit to the United States. After the German Revolution, Prince Heinrich and his family settled in Hemmelmark near Eckernförde, Schleswig-Holstein, where he continued to enjoy motor sports and sailing, participating successfully in regattas even in his old age. He also popularized the "Prince Henry cap" (Prinz-Heinrich-Mütze^German), a distinctive military cap that remains popular among older sailors.

4.2. Technological Interests and Inventions

Prince Heinrich had a keen interest in modern technology and quickly grasped the practical value of new innovations. This fascination extended to military applications, where he, as a pragmatic military officer, highly valued and actively sought to introduce advanced technologies like submarines and airplanes into the German Navy. He was particularly interested in automobiles and is credited by some sources with inventing a manual car windshield wiper. Other sources suggest he may have invented the car horn. His interest in aviation led him to obtain a pilot's license in 1910. During World War I, he even planned for the operation of aircraft carriers to counter the Russian Navy, demonstrating his forward-thinking approach to naval warfare.

4.3. Sports and Hobbies

Prince Heinrich was a passionate yachting enthusiast. He was among the first members of the Yacht Club of Kiel, which was established by a group of naval officers in 1887, and he quickly became the club's patron. His dedication to sailing and his continued success in regattas, even in his later years, showcased his lifelong commitment to the sport.

Prince Heinrich competing in the Prince Heinrich Tour in 1910

His interest in motor cars was equally strong. In his honor, the `Prinz-Heinrich-Fahrt_{Prince Heinrich Tour}^German`, a car race that was a precursor to the German Grand Prix, was established in 1908. Both Prince Heinrich and his brother, Emperor Wilhelm II, were patrons of the `Kaiserlicher Automobilclub_{Imperial Automobile Club}^German`. Between 1911 and 1914, the British car manufacturer Vauxhall Motors produced a model, the C-10, which was named the "Vauxhall Prince Henry" in his honor after it was initially built for participation in the 1911 race. He actively promoted the training of sailors, and the distinctive "Prince Henry cap" (Prinz-Heinrich-Mütze^German) became popular among sailors and marines who admired him.

5. Diplomatic Activities and Foreign Visits

Throughout his career, Prince Heinrich undertook various foreign visits and engaged in significant diplomatic activities, fostering international relations and leaving a notable mark on global interactions.

5.1. Visit to China

In 1898, while commanding a naval task force assisting the East Asia Squadron in the Kiaochow region, Prince Heinrich achieved a remarkable diplomatic feat. He became the first European monarch or potentate ever to be formally received at the Chinese imperial court of the Qing dynasty. This engagement highlighted his diplomatic skills and marked a significant moment in the interaction between European royalty and the Chinese Empire.

5.2. Visit to Japan

Prince Heinrich during his visit to Japan in 1879

Prince Heinrich first visited Japan as a naval officer cadet during his world circumnavigation. On October 6, 1878, the 16-year-old Heinrich departed Kiel aboard the corvette `SMS Prinz Adalbert^German`. After visiting South American countries and crossing the Pacific from Hawaii, he arrived at Yokohama Port on May 23, 1879. On May 26, Prince Kitashirakawa Yoshihisa and Hachisuka Mochiaki, who was fluent in German, boarded the `Prinz Adalbert` to convey Emperor Meiji's welcome. On May 28, Heinrich disembarked and traveled by train from Yokohama Station to Shinbashi Station, then proceeded to the Enryokan Guesthouse within Hamarikyu Gardens.

The following day, May 29, Heinrich had his first audience with Emperor Meiji. He presented the Order of the Black Eagle, Prussia's highest decoration, on behalf of his grandfather, Emperor Wilhelm I. In return, Emperor Meiji bestowed upon him the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun. On May 30, Emperor Meiji made a return visit to Heinrich at the Enryokan, presenting him with gifts such as vases and silk fabrics. Heinrich then engaged in tourism across Japan. On June 4, he attended a Kabuki performance, accompanied by esteemed figures including Prince Arisugawa Taruhito, Prince Kitashirakawa Yoshihisa, Iwakura Tomomi, and Itō Hirobumi. Various events, including balls, were held in the German settlement to welcome him. He also undertook an ascent of Mount Fuji. Due to a cholera epidemic and the summer heat, Heinrich and his entourage returned to the `Prinz Adalbert` in Yokohama and sought refuge in Vladivostok. However, the epidemic had also spread there, forcing them to return to Japan. The crew spent the sweltering Japanese summer in the cooler northern waters, exploring the inland areas of Hokkaido from the port town of Hakodate.

On September 17, the `Prinz Adalbert` re-entered Yokohama. From late September to October, Heinrich visited Nikko. On October 15, an imperial banquet was held at the Akasaka Provisional Imperial Palace, attended by Prince Arisugawa, Prince Kitashirakawa, Tokudaiji Sanenori, Iwakura, and Inoue Kaoru. In mid-November, Heinrich traveled to Western Japan, visiting the Kyoto Imperial Palace, enjoying a boat ride down the Hozugawa River in Arashiyama, and sightseeing in Gion and Kiyomizu-dera. He also visited Ōtsu, Sakamoto, and Uji. In December, the `Prinz Adalbert` headed to Nagasaki, departing on January 6, 1880, and arriving at Kobe Port on January 9.

A notable incident, later dubbed the 'Suita Incident', occurred on February 7, 1880. While staying in Kobe, Prince Heinrich, accompanied by his retinue, went duck hunting at Shakaga Pond in Oji Village, Shimoshita District, Osaka Prefecture (present-day Kishibe-Kita, Suita City), an area marked as a no-hunting zone. Unaware of Prince Heinrich's identity, Motokichi Ida of Nanao Village struck Heinrich. The next day, the Kingdom of Prussia lodged a protest with the Osaka Prefectural Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, escalating the matter into a diplomatic incident. Following negotiations, an "apology ceremony" was held on February 14 at the Osaka Prefectural Office and Kishibe Shrine. Thirteen individuals involved were disciplined: eight police officers were dismissed for disrespectful conduct in their investigation, and five police inspectors received a one-month salary suspension.

This incident highlighted the issue of extraterritoriality for Germans in Japan, which had been established by the Treaty of Amity and Commerce between Prussia and Japan (signed January 24, 1861) and continued through subsequent treaties with the North German Confederation (1869) and the German Empire (1871). Some historical analyses categorize the 'Suita Incident' as an example of Japan's perceived weak diplomacy under unequal treaties, contributing to the rise of liberal and nationalist movements within the country. However, historian Yamanaka Keiichi suggests that Japan's handling of the incident may have been a strategic move to facilitate treaty revisions without major complications. Following this event, Foreign Minister Inoue Kaoru, who had previously prioritized the recovery of tariff autonomy, began to shift his focus, sending revised treaty proposals that included the abolition of extraterritoriality and consular jurisdiction to foreign envoys in Japan. This marked a turning point, intensifying negotiations with various powers that eventually led to the successful removal of consular jurisdiction through treaties such as the Anglo-Japanese Treaty of Commerce and Navigation in 1894.

On April 2, Prince Heinrich once again visited the Imperial Palace. Emperor Meiji expressed profound regret over the incident in Osaka and wished Heinrich to return home with good memories of Japan despite the difficulties. Prince Heinrich departed Yokohama on April 5, heading to his next destination, Shanghai. He revisited Japan in 1899 and, in 1912, attended Emperor Meiji's state funeral as a member of the German delegation.

He also visited the Korean Empire from June 9 to June 20, 1899. During his visit, he requested Emperor Gojong to demonstrate traditional Korean martial arts. He was reportedly impressed by the display of archery and even tried shooting an arrow himself.

6. Honours and Awards

Prince Heinrich received numerous honors, awards, and honorary positions from both German states and foreign nations throughout his distinguished career.

6.1. German Honours and Offices

From the Kingdom of Prussia and the German Empire, Prince Heinrich received many high distinctions and honorary military commissions:

Knight of the Black Eagle, awarded on August 14, 1872; with Collar, 1881.
Grand Cross of the Red Eagle, 1872.
Knight of the Royal Crown Order, 1st Class, August 14, 1872.
Grand Commander's Cross of the Royal House Order of Hohenzollern, August 14, 1872.
Knight of Justice of the Johanniter Order.
Long Service Award.
Pour le Mérite (military), August 1, 1916; with Oak Leaves, January 24, 1918.
From Hohenzollern: Cross of Honour of the Princely House Order of Hohenzollern, 1st Class.
From Anhalt: Grand Cross of the Order of Albert the Bear, 1884.
From Baden: Knight of the House Order of Fidelity, 1881; Knight of the Order of Berthold the First, 1881.
From Bavaria: Knight of St. Hubert, 1886.
From Brunswick: Grand Cross of the Order of Henry the Lion, 1888.
From the Ernestine duchies: Grand Cross of the Saxe-Ernestine House Order, 1885.
From the Free Hanseatic Cities of Bremen, Lübeck, and Hamburg: Hanseatic Crosses.
From Hesse and by Rhine: Grand Cross of the Ludwig Order, April 1, 1875; Knight of the Golden Lion, with Collar, May 24, 1888; Medal of Bravery.
From Mecklenburg: Grand Cross of the Wendish Crown, with Crown in Ore and Diamonds.
From Oldenburg: Grand Cross of the Order of Duke Peter Friedrich Ludwig, with Golden Crown, February 18, 1878.
From Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach: Grand Cross of the White Falcon, 1882.
From the Kingdom of Saxony: Knight of the Rue Crown, 1882; Grand Cross of the Albert Order, with Crown and Swords.
From Württemberg: Grand Cross of the Württemberg Crown, 1882.

Prince Heinrich also held numerous honorary regimental commissions in the German armed forces:

`1. Garde-Regiment zu Fuß^German` (Royal Prussian 1st Regiment of Foot Guards) - from Second Lieutenant to Colonel-General in the Rank of Field Marshal, 1871-1918.
`Kgl. Sächs. 2. Grenadier-Regiment Kaiser Wilhelm, König von Preußen Nr. 101^German` (Royal Saxon 2nd Grenadier Regiment).
`Kgl. Bayerisches Artillerie-Regiment Nr. 8^German` (Royal Bavarian 8th Artillery Regiment) - Colonel-General in the Rank of Field Marshal and Chief.
`1. Großherzogl. Hessisches Feldartilleree-Regiment 25^German` (Grand Duchy of Hesse 2nd Artillery Regiment).
`Fußilier-Regiment "Prinz Heinrich von Preußen" (Brandenburgisches) Nr 35^German` (The Brandenburg Fusilier Regiment) - Colonel-General in the Rank of Field Marshal and Chief.

6.2. Foreign Honours and Honorary Degrees

Prince Heinrich received numerous foreign honours from various countries:

Austria-Hungary: Grand Cross of the Royal Hungarian Order of St. Stephen, 1872. He was also an `Oberstinhaber^German` (Colonel in Chief) of the Austro-Hungarian Army's `K.u.K. Infantry Regiment Nr. 20^German` and an honorary Admiral of the `K.u.K. Kriegsmarine^German` (Navy) (Vice Admiral in 1899, Rear-Admiral in 1899).
Belgium: Grand Cordon of the Order of Leopold.
Empire of Brazil: Grand Cross of the Southern Cross.
Principality of Bulgaria: Grand Cross of St. Alexander.
China: Order of the Double Dragon, Class I Grade II.
Denmark: Knight of the Elephant, July 30, 1888.
Finland: Grand Cross of the Cross of Liberty, 1918.
Greece: Grand Cross of the Redeemer.
Kingdom of Hawaii: Grand Cross of the Order of Kalākaua.
Italy: Knight of the Annunciation, October 18, 1875; Grand Cross of Saints Maurice and Lazarus, October 18, 1875. From the Tuscan Grand Ducal family: Grand Cross of St. Joseph.
Holy See: Knight of the Supreme Order of Christ.
Empire of Japan: Grand Cordon of the Order of the Chrysanthemum, June 10, 1879.
Korean Empire: Grand Cordon of the Order of the Golden Ruler, 1904.
Principality of Montenegro: Grand Cross of the Order of Prince Danilo I.
Netherlands: Grand Cross of the Netherlands Lion.
Ottoman Empire: Order of Osmanieh, 1st Class with Diamonds.
Kingdom of Portugal: Grand Cross of the Sash of the Two Orders; Grand Cross of the Tower and Sword.
Kingdom of Romania: Grand Cross of the Star of Romania.
Russian Empire: Knight of St. Andrew; Knight of St. Alexander Nevsky; Knight of the White Eagle; Knight of St. Anna, 1st Class; Knight of St. Stanislaus, 1st Class. He was also an honorary Colonel of the Imperial Dragoon Regiment Nr. 33.
Kingdom of Serbia: Grand Cross of the White Eagle.
Johor: First Class of the Royal Family Order of Johor, February 24, 1898.
Siam: Knight of the Order of the Royal House of Chakri, December 24, 1899.
Spain: Knight of the Golden Fleece, October 3, 1883; Grand Cross of Naval Merit, with White Decoration, 1903.
Sweden-Norway: Knight of the Seraphim, October 17, 1887; Grand Cross of St. Olav, with Collar, August 1, 1888.
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland: Honorary Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (civil), August 13, 1881; Stranger Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter, August 8, 1889; Recipient of the Royal Victorian Chain, August 9, 1902. **These British honours were all revoked in 1915 due to World War I.**
Venezuela: Collar of the Order of the Liberator.

In addition to military commissions and orders, Prince Heinrich received several honorary degrees and civic offices:

An honorary doctorate (`Doctor of Engineering honoris causa`) from the Technische Hochschule in Charlottenburg (now Technische Universität Berlin) in 1899.
The Freedom of the City of New York City on February 25, 1902, during his visit to the city.
An honorary doctorate (`LL.D.`) from Harvard University on March 6, 1902, during his visit to the United States.
The Freedom of the City of Philadelphia on March 10, 1902, during his visit.

7. Death

Prince Heinrich of Prussia passed away on April 20, 1929, at Schloss Hemmelmark, located in Barkelsby, Schleswig-Holstein, then part of the Weimar Republic. His death was attributed to throat cancer. He was laid to rest on April 24, 1929, at the same location, Schloss Hemmelmark.

8. Assessment and Impact

Prince Heinrich's life had a notable impact on public perception during his time and left a legacy in the fields of technology and sports.

8.1. Public Perception

Prince Heinrich was widely regarded as a modest individual, a trait that sharply contrasted with the often grand and outspoken personality of his older brother, Emperor Wilhelm II. This humility contributed significantly to his popularity, particularly among the soldiers he commanded and the general public in northern Germany. His diplomatic skills were also highly valued; during his 1902 visit to the United States, he left a positive impression on American journalists and was warmly received by the German-American community, showcasing his ability to connect with diverse audiences.

8.2. Impact on Technology and Sports

Prince Heinrich of Prussia in Santiago de Chile, early April 1914

Prince Heinrich's genuine interest in modern technology had a tangible impact, particularly in the fields of automobiles and aviation. As a military officer, he was pragmatic and actively championed the integration of new technologies like submarines and airplanes into the Imperial German Navy. His personal pursuit of a pilot's license in 1910 and his conceptualization of carrier operations during World War I underscore his forward-thinking vision for military technology.

Beyond military applications, his passion for automobiles led to the establishment of the `Prinz-Heinrich-Fahrt_{Prince Heinrich Tour}^German` in 1908, a significant early car race that served as a precursor to the German Grand Prix. His patronage, along with that of Emperor Wilhelm II, of the `Kaiserlicher Automobilclub_{Imperial Automobile Club}^German` further cemented his influence in the nascent automotive industry. His dedication to yachting, evidenced by his early membership and patronage of the Yacht Club of Kiel, made him a prominent figure in the sport. Even in his later years, he remained an active and successful participant in regattas. The `Prinz-Heinrich-Mütze_{Prince Henry cap}^German`, a military cap that became popular among sailors who admired him, serves as a lasting, informal commemoration of his affinity for maritime life and connection with the navy.

9. Titles and Commemorations

Prince Heinrich of Prussia is commemorated through various events and items that bear his name, reflecting his diverse interests and popular appeal.

`Prinz-Heinrich-Fahrt_{Prince Heinrich Tour}^German`**: An important early German automobile race, established in 1908, which was a forerunner to the modern German Grand Prix. This race was named in his honor due to his strong interest in motoring and his patronage of the Imperial Automobile Club.
Vauxhall Prince Henry**: A specific model of car, the C-10, produced by British car makers Vauxhall Motors from 1911 to 1914. It was named after him due to his participation and interest in motor races.
Prince Henry Cap (`Prinz-Heinrich-Mütze_{Prince Henry cap}^German`)**: A distinctive military cap that became popular among sailors and naval personnel, often associated with older sailors. This cap gained popularity among those who admired Prince Heinrich, reflecting his strong connection with the navy and his personal style.