THE EX-KAISER'S WIFE.

North Otago Times, Volume CVII, Issue 17170, 30 March 1927, Page 6

THE EX-KAISER'S WIFE.

PRINCESS IIERMINE. TO LIVE IN BERLIN. PREPARING THE PALACE. BERLIN, Marcli 24. ^everisli preparations are in progress for the neception of some mysterious guest of high ( degree in the historic palace of Wilhelm I.' the ex-Kaiser's grandfather, in Unter den Linden. It will be remembered that by the recent ■ compact . with the dethroned Hohenzollerns this huilding, despite the protests of the Republicans, was restored to theni. Urgent orders have conie from Doorn directing that the palace shall be made habitable without delay. An army of workmen is installing central heating and up.to-date

hathrooms. All these preparations, according to the "Berlincr Tageblatt," are being made for the reception of none other thap "Her Imperial Highness Princess Hermine," the energetic consort of the ex-Kaiser, who. according to the Berlin journal, is the real power behind the "throne at Doorri.". Princess Hermine, it is stated. has made up her mind to make the palace her official residence and to use it as the base of "dynastic operations." She intends, it is stated, to kill two birds with one stone. First, by coming to live in Berlin she will score over the charming princes and princesses at Potsdam who strongly disapprove of the liighhanded (loings of their step-mother and, second, by taking up her residence in the heart of Berlin she wili secure a briljiant tooint of vantage from which to pave the way for the return of her imperial spouse. According to the "Tageblatt," the "Empress Hermine" is also at the bottom of the mighty propaganda campaign which is now heing inaugurated for the return of the ex. Kaiser to Berlin. Herr von Kleist, the successor of Herr von Be'rg as the administrator of the Hohenzollern property, is said to enjoy the fullest confldence of Princess Hermine and to be working with her heart and soul for the achievement of her plans. "Propaganda or no propaganda," says the "Tagleblatt," "the ambiti- ! ous woman is mistaken if she imagi ines that the German Republic is ! asleep, and that she will be allow- • ed to play the role of a German ; Joan of Arc and lead the self-depos-i ed monarch back to his throne." I Princess Hermine married the ex- ; | Kaiser at Doorn in November, 1922, ! She has three children and was for- [ j merly Princ»ss Hermine of Reuss.