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On 18 January 1871, the King of Prussia, William I, was declared German Emperor at the Palace of Versailles in Paris. One would expect he would be pleased with this. He was not however, being worried that the Prussian Monarchy would be undermined. What did he say to Otto von Bismarck the night before his coronation?

Answer: ‘Tomorrow is the unhappiest day in my life. We will bury the Prussian monarchy and you, Prince Bismarck, are responsible!’

Source: Cambridge History of Germany by Martin Kitchen

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