3-038-989 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Proclaiming the King of Prussia as German Emperor in the Palace of Versailles, 1871. Franco-Prussian War: '...the ceremonial on the 18th January, when the King of Prussia formally assumed the new title of "German Emperor"...to the right and left stood deputations from the troops who had accompanied the German banners to Versailles..Close to the King...stood the Crown Prince, with Princes Carl and Adalbert of Prussia; the Crown Prince of Saxony and Prince George; the Grand Dukes of Baden, Saxony, and Oldenburg; the Dukes of Coburg, Meiningen, and Altenburg [etc]...Count Bismarck and Baron von Schleinitz were conspicuous on the left; and on the right stood State Minister Delbruck, Count von Moltke, and many other...diplomatists, and high military officers; among whom were General Walker and Mr. Odo Russell...some prayers from the Liturgy were read by the Lutheran clergy in attendance; and the preacher of the day, Dr. Rugger, delivered a consecration sermon, in which he referred to the history of the Hohenzollern family, and to the traditions of Versailles...The King... addressed the assembly, stating that he accepted the title of Emperor at the wish of the people and the Princes of Germany, and to secure the national union of the Fatherland'. From "Illustrated London News", 1871.