This author previously noted that the collection of Kaiser Wilhelm II’s private uniforms at Huis Doorn included a mystery helmet that appears to be British; a helmet that he may have never wore in any official capacity. However, the last Kaiser of Germany did in fact wear a bombastic tropical uniform in his visit to Palestine in 1898 (shown above at the Temple Mount in Jerusalem).

While, this doesn’t explain how the apparent British six-panel colonial pattern helmet came to be a part of Willie’s personal items at Doorn, it does show that he was prepared for any occasion, including a visit to the Holy Land in German tropical attire.

The Last Kaiser and his Life Guard in Palestine in 1898

A commemorative coin for Willie’s visit to Palestine shows the Kaiser in profile with a sun helmet.

A still from a German documentary that chronicled the 700 year relationship between central Europe and the Islamic culture – and included a segment on Kaiser Wilhelm II’s visit to Palestine, as well as his efforts to start a holy war against the British Empire during World War I

Peter Suciu