When Kaiser Wilhelm II fled Germany after the First World War, he came to the Netherlands. After a brief stay at the nearby Amerongen Castle, he settled at Huis Doorn (Doorn Manor), where he lived until his death in 1941, well into the Second World War.

When the exiled emperor took up residence at Huis Doorn, he brought several trainloads of furniture from the massive Berlin palaces where he used to live. Today, this decor provides a time capsule into a bygone era. The estate was originally a moated castle dating back to the 14th century that had been converted into a regal country home. Since Wilhelm II’s death, nothing has changed at the manor. Today, this pretty little museum gives you an intimate view on life in a grand royal household. 

By the way, Kaiser Wilhelm II is still here! Before his death, he proclaimed that he could not be interred before the monarchy was reinstated in Germany. A lot of things have happened in Germany since then, but the reinstatement of the monarchy is not one of them. The kaiser’s balmed body is still above the ground, in a separate mausoleum by the house. You can see his coffin draped with the German eagle flag. Just in front of this little building are two small gravestones where his hounds are interred.