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Hi all, could really use the help of the German history buffs out there to
help me understand how the internal dynamics of Prussian succession
worked!

My question is this: was a reigning kings heir automatically his closest male
relative...or....could a king specifically designate someone as heir, bypassing
all others?

For example could Frederick the great have designated another relative as his
heir, deciding that his decadent and indolent nephew Frederick William II was
unfit! Choosing instead his brother Henry (yes I know unlikely, its just an
example) or Frederick William's younger brother also called Henry (whom Fred
the Great was apparently very fond of)?

Basically could Prussian monarchs designate their heirs or was it automatically
the next in line by gender/age?

BTW i'm aware Salic Law was in effect so women were barred from succeeding!

Would really appreciate anything y'all could tell me.

Cheers

Edit:

Also could anyone tell me why exactly Frederick the Great couldn't have children
again?

I've heard various things ranging from an injury incurred while running away from
home to him being a closet homosexual (something I find unlikely as he was said
to have disliked his younger brother Henry for being a homosexual!).
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