How did Wilhelm II become German emperor at age 29?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Wilhelm II became German emperor at age 29 in 1888 due to the rapid succession of deaths within the Hohenzollern dynasty that year.12

His grandfather, William I, died at the age of 90, which led to the accession of Wilhelm’s father, Frederick III. However, Frederick III was already suffering from terminal throat cancer and was physically incapacitated for much of his brief reign. After reigning for only 99 days, Frederick III passed away, resulting in Wilhelm II ascending to the throne as kaiser at age 29.123