Centuries-Long Dispute Resolved
The Hohenzollern house, a German noble family that included the last German Emperor Wilhelm II, had long been entitled to various objects housed in German museums. They also sought millions in compensation for palaces and stocks. The dispute went to court, but in 2023, Georg Friedrich Prussia, the great-grand-nephew of the last German emperor, changed the strategy of the aristocratic house. Talks began at the end of 2024, leading to a newly achieved agreement.
Works of Art Remain in Museums
The new agreement was announced by the German Foreign Minister for Culture and Georg Friedrich Prussia in May 2025. The Federal Government and the States of Berlin and Brandenburg made an agreement with the former ruling House of Hohenzollern to manage the non-profit "Hohenzollern Art Foundation" to oversee the previously reclaimed art and cultural objects. The public will be the biggest winner, as the collections with around 3,000 objects are now included in the German Historical Museum and other museums.
The Expropriation of the ‘Junkers’
At the end of the Second World War, Soviet troops conquered the former German areas east of the Elbe River, including most of the Hohenzollern areas. The Soviet Union viewed the "Junkers" as enemies and a pillar of the Nazi system. In 1945, all noble houses in the Soviet occupation zone were expropriated without compensation. The German Association Contract in 1990 found that the land reform of 1945 would not be reversed, meaning the Hohenzollern had to write off their old properties in the east.
Hohenzollerns’ Ties to the Nazis
The question of whether representatives of the House of Hohenzollern supported the National Socialists played a central role in the compensation dispute. Historical documents prove Wilhelm’s connections to Hitler, with photos and films showing the former crown prince with the dictator and other Nazis. The "compensation law" of 1994 states that those who "supported" Hitler and the Nazis have no right to compensation.
Search for Closeness to Hitler
German historians describe the crown prince as a radical anti-democrat who admired Mussolini and sought proximity to Hitler. His mission was to restore the monarchy. The ex-crown prince asked Hitler’s election in the German presidential elections of 1932 and later bragged about procuring two million votes for Hitler. Wilhelm also publicly showed solidarity with the new elites, which was important for the Nazis in 1932/33.
Debate Continues, but Settlement Achieved
Despite ongoing debate about the Hohenzollerns’ fascist bonds, an agreement seems to have been reached. The public could benefit the most from the new foundation, which will manage the inventory from around 70 palaces, villas, and other properties in Berlin and Potsdam. The dispute, which lasted for almost a century, has finally come to an end, with the Hohenzollerns’ artworks and cultural objects remaining in German museums for the public to enjoy.
