WI Joseph Ferdinand of Wittelsbach doesn't die?

In 1692 in OTL, Joseph Ferdinand of Wittelsbach is born; with the succession to the throne of Spain shaky, with Charles II too ill to produce an heir, Europe pins their hopes on him, what with him not only being descended from the Austrian Habsburgs, but also of a house that isn't as powerful as the Bourbons or Habsburgs. Now, in 1698, England and France conclude a partition treaty, with Joseph Ferdinand being heir presumptive to most of Spanish Europe save Italy, where Austria gets Milan and France the rest of Spanish Italy. Charles II updates his will, naming Joseph Ferdinand as heir to the entirety of Spanish Europe. However, Joseph Ferdinand dies in 1699, upon which a second partition treaty gives the Spanish territories save Italy and Lorraine to a younger son of Charles VI, and the rest to France. However Charles II defies this treaty and names Philip, Louis XIV's grandson, his heir, before dying, ultimately igniting the War of the Spanish Succession.

Now, what if Joseph Ferdinand does not die in childhood? (And why am I asking about prematurely dead royals living longer?

Joseph Ferdinand will at least inherit the same parts of Spain and the Spanish empire as Philip V IOTL, maybe even everything, but that is unlikely.
Since Austria and France both had a decent claim, they will try to get at least a bit of the inheritance, however the final partition ITTL may very well be different.
For instance Austria would get the Spanish Netherlands*, since the Dutch Republic and the British wouldn't want France to have this region. Milan is interesting for both, but if France gets the rest of Spanish Italy, either directly or as a secundogeniture (becomes a kingdom for a cadet branch of the French house of Bourbon), then Milan* would most likely become Austrian. (*= these regions could also be turned into a secundogeniture).

Okay, now random thought: What if Philip V doesn't become king of Spain but king of Naples and Sicily, while the House of Wittelsbach gains the Spanish throne?

SavoyTruffle said:

Okay, now random thought: What if Philip V doesn't become king of Spain but king of Naples and Sicily, while the House of Wittelsbach gains the Spanish throne?

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Well, according to the first Treaty of Partition in 1698 Philip's father should become king of Naples and Sicily:

Gonzaga said:

Well, according to the first Treaty of Partition in 1698 Philip's father should become king of Naples and Sicily:

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So Louis the Grand Dauphin gets it? That could result in France leading a personal union with Naples and Sicily.

Or Philip V could inherit it while his elder brother the duke of Burgundy would presumably get France...

According to what I see on the map, Charles VI would get the Duchy of Milan while Louis the Grand Dauphin would get Naples. The Wittelsbach prince would get all the rest.

If I remember correctly, everyone would be happy with this scenario and you wouldn't have any War of Spanish Succession. This would also mean that OTL Philip V of Spain wouldn't get excluded from the French succession.

Of course, Charles II would still give all his Empire to Joseph Ferdinand (the Spanish didn't really accept the idea of other powers dividing their lands). But the difference here now is that no one would back Bavaria if the Wittelsbachs had claimed the all the territories (surely the Habsburgs would want some land too). The doubt is if such treaty could be kept. After all, we talking about Louis XIV. He probably would find some reason to try to take the Spanish Netherlands.

SavoyTruffle said:

So Louis the Grand Dauphin gets it? That could result in France leading a personal union with Naples and Sicily.

Or Philip V could inherit it while his elder brother the duke of Burgundy would presumably get France...

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Or Naples & Sicily becomes the training ground for the dauphin. The dauphin becomes king of Naples & Sicily and when he inherits France he gives it to the new dauphin?

Anyway the personal union option would depend on the final peace settlement, whether this would be allowed or not.
OTOH OTL Philip V of Spain could very well become Philip IV of the Sicilies (Sicily and Naples).

Gonzaga said:

Of course, Charles II would still give all his Empire to Joseph Ferdinand (the Spanish didn't really accept the idea of other powers dividing their lands). But the difference here now is that no one would back Bavaria if the Wittelsbachs had claimed the all the territories (surely the Habsburgs would want some land too). The doubt is if such treaty could be kept. After all, we talking about Louis XIV. He probably would find some reason to try to take the Spanish Netherlands.

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First of all I share your doubts about the treaty, another reasons for this is that 'Madrid' and 'Vienna' weren't involved in this treaty. (It was also abot them, but without them.)
Knowing OTL Louis XIV he might try to seize the Spanish Netherlands, but IMHO that wouldn't be smart since the British and their ally the Dutch Republic wouldn't want them to get these territories. Furthermore with Joseph Ferdinand alive, the Austrian Habsburgs also not content with the partition treaty, such a move by Louis XIV would break the Franco-British arrangement; and could lead to a final treaty, which would be worse for France.