Crown Prince of Germany

by Sprake:
 

by Godden:
The Crown Prince of Germany is the title of the heir-apparent to the Emperor of Germany, so it applied at different periods to the following persons:

• Frederick (Friedrich III) until March 1888 (see so264);
• William (Wilhelm II) until June 1888 (see so572);
• and subsequently Frederick, who was born in May 1882 and was Crown Prince until the end of the Empire in 1918.

The title CROWN PRINCE OF GERMANY was first listed on label 23+34a of 1888, but as yet, no silks or mounts bearing this title have been reported to solve the puzzle, and perhaps none were in fact sold, especially if the label title referred to Wilhelm II before he suddenly succeeded to the throne in June 1888. After which the silks would have been re-titled WILHELM II OF GERMANY (see so572).

Other comments:
From the analysis of Stevens back labels, Godden records that Friedrick III was recorded first on the 23+27+2 label of March/April 1888.
The next label, 23+34a, of May 1888, is where the title "Crown Prince of Germany" first appears.

At that date, Friedrick III was Emperor of Germany, so leading to the conclusion that the title Crown Prince refers to his eldest son, the future Wilhelm II.