Frederick William II

Under Frederick William II. his influential position at the court of Berlin was at first unshaken.

The report that Beethoven was a natural son of Frederick William II.,

Such was the man whom Frederick William II., immediately after his accession, called to his counsels.

Then Frederick William II. insisted on being admitted as a partner in the business of interference, and Catharine II. reluctantly consented.

His successor, Frederick William II., was a weak man, who squandered the public money on favourites.