Wilhelm von Thurn und Taxis

Prince Wilhelm von Thurn und Taxis was a General of the Bavarian Army, Commander of the Imperial Army, Lord Governor of the Rhenish Palatinate and Regent of Bavaria from 1869 - 1872.

Early Life
Prince Wilhelm von Thurn und Taxis was born into the wealthy Thurn und Taxis family. Wilhelm's father died when he was only seven, and Wilhelm was then fostered by the Bavarian Royal Family and was a childhood companion of the future King Maximilian III.

Military Career
Wilhelm joined the Army at age 19 and was given a commission as an Captain of Artillery. He rose through the ranks swiftly and by 1846 he was a Generaloberst and in 1853 he was promoted to Generalfeldmarschall and commander of the Bavarian Army. Upon the restoration of the Holy Roman Empire, Prince Wilhelm was given the command of the Imperial Army.

Regent
Prince Wilhelm was appointed as regent upon the death of Kaiser Maximilian III, to rule until Prince Ferdinand was old enough to take the throne. Prince Wilhelm ruled as regent until his death in 1876.