Nicholas II of Russia last ethnically Russian ancestor being Grand Duchess Anna Petrovna of Russia (1708–1728), daughter of Peter the Great. Nicholas was related to several monarchs in Europe. His mother's siblings included Kings Frederick VIII of Denmark and George I of Greece, as well as the United Kingdom's Queen Alexandra (consort of King Edward VII). Nicholas, his wife Alexandra, and German Emperor Wilhelm II were all first cousins of King George V of the United Kingdom. Nicholas was also a first cousin of both King Haakon VII and Queen Maud of Norway, as well as King Christian X of Denmark and King Constantine
SMS Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse preventing the "German" squadron from passing through the Great Belt in the Baltic. "Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse" and several other battleships were then tasked with forcing an entry into the mouth of the Elbe River, where the Kaiser Wilhelm Canal and Hamburg could be seized. The "hostile" flotilla accomplished these tasks within three days. The regular winter cruise followed during 1–12 December. In 1903, the fleet, which was composed of only one squadron of battleships, was reorganized as the "Active Battle Fleet". "Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse" remained in the I Squadron along with her sister ships and the newest s,