Imperial Court
In Huis Doorn, the emperor still had an imposing but much smaller court. Part of the staff was Dutch and part of the staff originated from Germany.
In addition to his adjutant Sigurd von Ilsemann, several other adjutants worked at Huis Doorn, among others Ulrich von Sell, Kaiser Wilhelm II's asset manager.
Company
The staff had various duties, but also appear to have had an important social function. The emperor did not like to be on his own much and wanted others to join him in his daily activities such as cutting down trees and talking politics in the evening.
Demanding
The emperor was demanding of his staff and at the evening get-togethers, according to Von Ilsemann's notes, almost all the gentlemen on duty 'fought against falling asleep again and again'. On top of this, the adjutants kept abreast of the situation in Germany and discussed newspaper clippings with the emperor every day.
Believe in return
An important aspect of the emperor's time spent in the Netherlands is the way he continues to believe in his own return and the imperial title. The staff does not react to this in the same way, and Von Ilsemann is repeatedly surprised by the way in which many staff members try to humour the emperor on this subject.
Tea break while working in the park
Wilhelm II while chopping wood in the park