Crown Prince Wilhelm of Germany overseeing military forces circa 1915.

Crown Prince Wilhelm, donned in a uniform that was probably a size or two too small, marched through the ranks of soldiers with all the pomp and circumstance befitting a royal. As he approached a particularly stout private, who was trying desperately to stand tall, a suspicious rumble emanated from the private’s stomach. Bewildered, Wilhelm paused mid-sentence and, with an exaggerated yet clueless expression, asked if the man was “preparing for battle or breakfast.” The whole brigade burst into laughter, but the prince, oblivious, powered through with his inspection like a determined duck waddling across a pond.
The image of a future ruler trying to maintain an aura of authority while dodging the reality of vocal stomachs is inherently humorous. Wilhelm, who likely expected to inspire with his regal presence, ended up being the unwitting star of a comedic moment that made troops realize that even royalty could unintentionally serve up a healthy side of hilarity. Plus, who knew that the call of duty could sometimes be interrupted by the call of an empty stomach?