 After Prussia and its allies had defeated France in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, and following the establishment of a new German Empire which followed in 1871, Bismarck was created "Fürst von Bismarck" (Prince of Bismarck).This hereditary princely title descends in the male line, but it is only held by the eldest son of the family.Finally, as a consolation for his dismissal by Emperor Wilhelm II in 1890, Bismarck was created "Herzog von Lauenburg" (Duke of Lauenburg) for his own lifetime only, and he was accorded the hereditary style of "Durchlaucht" (equivalent to "Serene Highness"), held by the incumbent Prince.