King William III of the Netherlands, who died in 1890, outlived all three of his sons. His daughter Queen Wilhelmina was born in 1880 and succeeded him in 1890, under a regency of course by her mother. She reigned until her abdication in 1948 and died in 1962. Let's say Wilhelmina is never born or dies in childhood. The future William Ernest, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach was next in line for the Dutch throne. So what happens next?
1. Would the Dutch have accepted a German prince as their new King or would they rather have become a republic again?
2. Would Germany try to influence the choice the Dutch government would be facing and, if so, would they consider military means to intimidate the Netherlands, with whom Germany had enjoyed friendly relations until then?
3. If so, would there be anybody willing to come to the aid of the Netherlands given that they were neutral and had no allies? Would either Britain or France care enough?
1. Would the Dutch have accepted a German prince as their new King or would they rather have become a republic again?
2. Would Germany try to influence the choice the Dutch government would be facing and, if so, would they consider military means to intimidate the Netherlands, with whom Germany had enjoyed friendly relations until then?
3. If so, would there be anybody willing to come to the aid of the Netherlands given that they were neutral and had no allies? Would either Britain or France care enough?