The Local Germany

Last German kaiser's heirs fight for riches lost behind Iron Curtain

Thu, 29 Aug 2019 11:20:56 +0200

A century after Germany's monarchy was abolished, some of its blue-blooded descendants are riding back into battle to reclaim what they see as their royal birthright.

Last German Kaiser's heirs seeking return of palace and art

Mon, 15 Jul 2019 10:37:17 +0200

The heirs of the former Prussian monarchy are seeking the return of thousands of artworks, memorabilia and other historical artefacts from the German state, the culture ministry said Friday, confirming a report in Der Spiegel magazine.

Man tries to buy Kalashnikov for 'Prussian police force'

Thu, 21 Jan 2016 17:55:08 +0100

A man in western Germany is to stand trial after trying to buy an AK-47 assault rifle using an identity card from the non-existent 'Free State of Prussia'.

Prince of Prussia sells diamond for $10 million

Thu, 17 May 2012 12:40:00 +0200

The great-great-grandson of the last German Kaiser sold one of the world’s biggest diamonds, the Beau Sancy for nearly $10 million, more than three times the expected auction price.

Prince: Germany should reinstate monarchy

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 13:41:00 +0100

Germany should reinstate its monarchy to speak to people’s emotions, make them proud of their country and even encourage them to have babies, according to Prince Philip Kiril of Prussia, great-great grandson of the last Kaiser.

House of Prussia sells historical diamond

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 16:04:00 +0100

The House of Prussia is selling one of the world’s largest and most historically-significant diamonds, the Beau Sancy, which has only been put on public display four times in the last half-century.

Bismarck recordings found in Edison's lab

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:27:00 +0100

The only known recordings of Germany’s legendary Chancellor Otto von Bismarck have surfaced in the former laboratory of US inventor Thomas Edison.

Poland aims to boost tourism at Hitler's lair

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:09:00 +0100

Polish authorities have announced plans to boost tourism at Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler's notorious "Wolf's Lair" headquarters in what was once East Prussia.

Frederick the Great celebrations kick off

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:34:00 +0100

Germans marked the 300th birthday of Prussian king Frederick the Great’s on Tuesday. His admirers visited his grave in Potsdam to lay flowers and potatoes in honour of the enlightened monarch.

Kaiser heir weds princess in Potsdam

Sat, 27 Aug 2011 17:02:00 +0200

Georg Friedrich Prince of Prussia and Princess Sophie von Isenburg were married in front of 650 guests at on the grounds of the Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam on Saturday for Germany's own "royal" wedding.

Kaiser couple to marry in Potsdam

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 09:07:00 +0200

Germany’s high society event of the year is set for Saturday as the great-great grandson of Kaiser Wilhem II gets married at a royal palace in Potsdam.

Berlin City Palace delayed until 2016

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:33:00 +0100

The €552-million reconstruction of Berlin’s historic city palace will not be finished until at least 2016 – two years later than planned – government officials announced Monday.

Protest tries to bounce reconstruction of Berlin city palace

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 20:51:00 +0200

Hoping to rally opposition to plans to rebuild Berlin’s historic city palace, a colourful protest with an inflatable castle and paper crowns took place in the German capital on Saturday.

Frederick the Great portrait auctioned for €670,000

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 14:19:00 +0200

The only portrait of Frederick the Great painted during his reign as Prussian King fetched €670,000 at an auction in Bremen on Saturday.

Prussian palaces to get multi-million euro facelift

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 09:03:00 +0200

Some of Germany’s most treasured historic Prussian landmarks will soon get a €155-million makeover, the federal government announced this week.

Poland's Elblag Canal offers gravity-defying cruise

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:59:00 +0200

Poland's Elblag canal is a gravity-defying waterway like none other, writes AFP's Mary Sibierski. Located in what was once East Prussia, it offers a boat cruise that is part San Francisco cable car ride through idyllic countryside.

German MP demands return of Iron Cross medal

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 16:04:00 +0100

A German conservative MP said Thursday the Iron Cross should be reintroduced as a military honour, but the Defence Ministry swiftly slapped down the call.