The Neues Palais in Potsdam, Germany, was built in the 18th century. Construction of the Baroque palace was initiated by Frederick the Great in 1763. Wilhelm II was the first Hohenzollern to use the Neues Palais as a residence for several months each year. From 1888, the year he became emperor, he continuously had the building equipped with the latest modern conveniences: central heating, telephones, bathrooms and electric lighting.
Royal Christmas Dinners
During his Exile, Wilhelm II celebrated Christmas at Huis Doorn with his family. He wanted to recreate the same imperial Christmas atmosphere as in the palaces where the family had previously lived, such as Burg Hohenzollern and the Neues Palais. How did he do that? And what similarities and differences can be observed?
Here you can read how Christmas was celebrated at the Neues Palais in Potsdam, Burg Hohenzollern in Hechingen and Huis Doorn in Doorn.
Potsdam
Neues Palais
Christmas celebrations at the Neues Palais in 1910
At 4:00 P.M., the Christmas dinner took place in the Marble Gallery, attended not only by the Imperial Family but also by senior staff such as adjutants, ladies-in-waiting and governesses. The menu featured beer-braised carp, Christmas goose, and, for dessert, a brandy-soaked Christmas pudding made according to Queen Victoria's recipe.
In this year’s Christmas display, porcelain dinnerware from the Neuosier collection will be shown on the Christmas tables of both the Neues Palais and Huis Doorn.
After dinner, at 4:45 P.M., everyone proceeded to the Grottensaal as the bells rang. There, two large Christmas trees had been set up for the emperor and empress, and for each of the seven children a tree matching the child's height was placed. Next to each tree stood an individual table with gifts.
In the vestibule of Huis Doorn, one can see how this must have looked - with all the children's Christmas trees, the presents, and a large tree for the emperor.
"Christmas at the Neues Palais was, for us brothers and sisters, the highlight of the year."
During Advent, the children of Wilhelm II formed a family choir to rehearse Christmas carols that would be performed on Christmas Eve. The choir consisted of the emperor's six sons and his only daughter, joined by the lady-in-waiting Claire von Gersdorff and two adjutants. It was conducted by the court chaplain Johannes Kessler.
Hechingen
Burg Hohenzollern
Although Burg Hohenzollern dates back to the 11th century, it only became significant to the imperial family in the first half of the 19th century. King Friedrich Wilhelm IV of Prussia had the old ruin rebuilt in Neo-Gothic style, and it was not until after his death, in 1867, that his son - the future emperor Wilhelm I - officially inaugurated it. Although the imperial family never lived there, the castle remained of great historical importance to them. It is still partially owned by the Hohenzollern family today.
The Grafensaal and Exil-Tafel at Burg Hohenzollern
For half a year, it lent even more splendour to the already impressive Grafensaal of Burg Hohenzollern: the imperial table, twelve metres long, set for 36 guests and consisting of 80 pieces of tableware. Each of the 36 plates is unique, hand-painted with a military scene entirely in keeping with the fashion of its time - the 19th century - when Tsar Nicholas I of Russia presented the fine St. Petersburg porcelain as a gift to the Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm III.
The table was complemented by mirrored plates supporting striking centrepieces of fire-gilded bronze in the style of ancient Greece: the so-called caryatids - female figures playing music on columns - and psyches, large sculptural bowls for lavish floral arrangements, created after designs by the renowned Berlin architect and artist Karl Friedrich Schinkel. For the Königliche Winterzauber, Museum Huis Doorn has loaned the table for display.
"The Königliche Winterzauber is not just a Christmas market, but also an exhibition both inside and outside the castle."
Instead of stalls and crowds, it offers a Christmas experience in a historical setting. In the Grafensaal, a twelve-metre-long table (the Exil-Tafel) is set with original porcelain and silver from the imperial collection, flanked by a seven-metre-high Christmas tree.
Doorn
Huis Doorn
The Museum Huis Doorn is the former place of exile of the last German Emperor, Wilhelm II. After Germany’s defeat in the First World War, he fled to the neutral Netherlands in 1918. In 1920, Wilhelm II purchased Huis Doorn, where he lived until his death in 1941. He filled Huis Doorn with the contents of 64 railway wagons from Germany. Furniture, paintings, silverware and carpets allowed the exiled monarch to continue living according to his own tastes in his small palace.
An Imperial Christmas at Huis Doorn
At Christmas, the Emperor put on an impressive display. The finest tableware was taken out of the cupboard and delicious dishes were served. How was the table set for Christmas dinner, lunch and afternoon tea? In the reception hall you can see how the imperial family celebrated Christmas when they still lived in Germany – complete with eight decorated Christmas trees, one for each family member.
In this year’s special exhibition, several remarkable objects are on display. Admire the ball gown of the former Empress Auguste Viktoria and the Emperor’s naval uniform with its accompanying officer’s sword from 1909. In addition to the imperial porcelain and the gilded tableware used to set the various tables, there is also an elaborate buffet featuring silver pieces from the 18th century.
“Opulently decorated and in a fairy-tale atmosphere: this is how Christmas was celebrated in royal circles 100 years ago!”
Would you like to experience the true Christmas spirit this year? Then immerse yourself in the authentic, nostalgic Christmas atmosphere and marvel at the beautifully decorated imperial interiors.
