English: The German Kaiser Wilhelm II arrives in Valletta's Grand Harbour on the royal yacht Hohenzollern on 15 November 1898

cf. 1898 - The German Kaiser in Malta (Michael Galea):

"On that journey back to Germany it soon became known that the Imperial Yacht Hohenzollern (Rear-Admiral Freiherr von Boden Hausen) with Their Imperial Majesties on board was expected to arrive in Malta from the Levant. The royal travellers stopped at Beirut, which was richly decorated, and later proceeded to Damascus. Anticipating the visit of Their Majesties in Malta the Daily Malta Chronicle wrote: "Malta will no doubt turn out in her thousands to catch even a glimpse of the potentate, the ruler of a friendly people and our Queen's grandson, who commands that enormously powerful fighting machine, the German army."

The Hohenzollern with Their Imperial Majesties on board, escorted by the cruiser Hela (Capt. Sommer Werch) entered Malta's Grand Harbour on Tuesday November 15, 1898, precisely at 2 p.m. The torpedo boat destroyers Ardent and Banshee of the British Royal Navy conducted the Hohenzollern and the Hela to their respective moorings. As the Emperor was travelling incognito, honours were paid as to any foreign war vessel entering the port: the guards fell in and the ships of the British Fleet played the German national anthem. Salutes were exchanged. The Emperor's yacht was flying the incognito burgee. This notwithstanding, large crowds thronged the marina. The local press spoke of the Emperor "as grandson of our beloved Queen (Victoria), as leader and master of a great nation and as a man of enlightened views and indomitable courage....

He may find much to interest him in Malta from the archaeological, historical, architectural, military and naval points of view....He may carry away many pleasant recollections of his brief visit." On arrival Flag Lieutenant Sandemann, deputed by the naval Commander-in-Chief, Admiral Sir John Hopkins, went on board the Imperial Yacht. At the Emperor's wish Admiral Hopkins too went aboard the Hohenzollern.

After paying his respects to the Emperor, the Admiral went on board HMS Ramillies, where the Emperor soon after returned his visit, being received by a guard of honour commanded by Major Money. As the Emperor stepped on board the Ramillies his flag was hoisted as an Admiral of the British Fleet, and he was greeted with a 19-gun salute. The Captains of the Fleet assembled on board the Ramillies when they were presented to His Majesty. In the evening Governor Sir Arthur Fremantle and Admiral Hopkins dined with Their Imperial Majesties on board the Hohenzollern Also present was Chev. Edward Ferro, consul for Germany in Malta.

The suite in attendance on Their Majesties consisted of the Countess Mathilde Keller, Dame du Palaise de Sa Majest?; Count A. Eulenburg, Master of the Horse; Herr von Bulow, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; General von Plessen, Chief of Staff; Dr Scuthold, General von Hahnke, Chief of the Military Cabinet; Admiral Baron Seuden, General von Kessel, General von School, Lieut. Col. von Peitzelwitz ADC, Counsellor Klement from the Foreign Ministry, M.B. de Knesebeck, chamberlain in attendance on the Empress. Members of the Imperial suite visited Valletta and were shown round the Palace by the Governor's personal staff.

They paid a visit to the Officer's Room of the Main Guard opposite the Palace. They also visited "other objects of interest" , being conducted round by Lieut. Col. Nicholas Grech-Biancardi, Aide-de-Camp to the Governor. The Empress, attended by Countess Keller and M. de Knesebeck, also visited Valletta "in strict incognito". She was conducted over the Palace by the Governor, and subsequently visited St. John's church under the guidance of Lieut. Col. Grech-Biancardi, who met Her Majesty on landing and remained in attendance on her throughout her visit until she returned to the Hela.

That same morning, Wednesday the 16th, the Emperor went aboard the flagship Ramillies where he was received by a guard of honour and his flag was hoisted - that of Admiral Hopkins being temporarily transferred to HMS Caesar. The Emperor then visited HMS Caesar where he saw some gun drill, and HMS Dido before returning to lunch on board the flagship. After luncheon the Emperor, accompanied by Admiral Hopkins, paid a long visit to HM Dockyard. Admiral Rodney Lloyd and his staff were in attendance. After inspecting the Royal Naval Dockyard the Emperor had tea with the Admiral Superintendent and Mrs Rodney Lloyd.

Later the Emperor visited the Victualling Yard and showed great interest in the relics of the Hospitaller Knights of St John. His Majesty returned to the imperial yacht shortly before 5 p.m. which was the hour fixed for his departure. But this was for some reasons delayed, and the Hohenzollern eventually remained in harbour. Both having coaled on the previous day, the Hela and the Hohenzollern on the morning of Thursday, 17th, left Grand Harbour. A gun salute bade farewell to Their Imperial Majesties who were bound for Cagliari in Sardinia via Syracuse. On the same day of their departure Governor Fremantle sent a despatch on the visit to the Secretary of State, Joseph Chamberlain."