Otto Witte German adventurer Date of Birth: 16.10.1872 Country: Germany

1. Wilhelm of Wied
2. Early Life and Circus Career
3. Albania's Independence and the Throne Offer
4. Enter Wilhelm of Wied
5. The Short-Lived Reign
6. Unmasking the Deception
7. Legacy

Wilhelm of Wied

Wilhelm of Wied was a German adventurer who briefly claimed to be the King of Albania.

Early Life and Circus Career

Born in 1864, Wilhelm was a circus acrobat before becoming involved in the Albanian throne dispute.

Albania's Independence and the Throne Offer

In 1913, as Albania gained independence from the Ottoman Empire, a movement arose to invite Prince Halim Edine, a nephew of the Sultan, to ascend the Albanian throne.

Enter Wilhelm of Wied

Wilhelm, upon seeing published portraits of Halim Edine, noticed a resemblance. He and his friend, sword swallower Max Schlepsiger, traveled to the Albanian city of Durres.

The Short-Lived Reign

Upon arrival, Wilhelm proclaimed himself the Prince and was declared King of Albania by local troops on August 13, 1913. During his five-day reign, he reportedly indulged in the royal harem and declared war on neighboring Montenegro.

Unmasking the Deception

Wilhelm's ruse was eventually exposed, forcing him and Schlepsiger to flee.

Legacy

Despite the brief and unsuccessful reign, Wilhelm's name holds a place in history. His Berlin police identification card later described him as a "circus entrepreneur, formerly King of Albania."