An Independent Low Countries

In 1598, King Philip II of Spain granted the Spanish Netherlands to his nephew and son-in-law, Albert of Austria, to rule jointly with his wife, Isabella of Spain (Philip's daughter). Unlike previous grants, the two were not simply governor-generals of the territories, but actual sovereigns of the various duchies and counties that made up the southern low countries.
Their rule was considered a golden age for the region, especially after years of previous warfare with the Dutch Republic.
Now, in OTL, Albert dies without any surviving children in 1621; sovereignty of the Spanish Netherlands the reverted back to the Spanish Crown, with his surviving widow, the Infanta Isabella, now only ruling as regent and not in her own right.
So, here's my idea for a POD: what if Isabella and Albert had managed to produce a surviving heir? Let's then assume that this son inherits his parents' realm at his father's death in 1621. What will the consequences of this be for Europe?

I'm considering forming a TL out of this and I am interested in starting a discussion...
 
Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia first son was Archduke Philip, lets say he lives (born 1605) if Albert dies as he did in OTL in 1621 his heir is 16, it should be noted that the will of Philip II the Netherlands wasn't just Albert's it was Albert's and Isabella's equally, though when Isabella became a nun she had to give it up (kind of)
 
In 1598, King Philip II of Spain granted the Spanish Netherlands to his nephew and son-in-law, Albert of Austria, to rule jointly with his wife, Isabella of Spain (Philip's daughter). Unlike previous grants, the two were not simply governor-generals of the territories, but actual sovereigns of the various duchies and counties that made up the southern low countries.
Their rule was considered a golden age for the region, especially after years of previous warfare with the Dutch Republic.
Now, in OTL, Albert dies without any surviving children in 1621; sovereignty of the Spanish Netherlands the reverted back to the Spanish Crown, with his surviving widow, the Infanta Isabella, now only ruling as regent and not in her own right.
So, here's my idea for a POD: what if Isabella and Albert had managed to produce a surviving heir? Let's then assume that this son inherits his parents' realm at his father's death in 1621. What will the consequences of this be for Europe?

I'm considering forming a TL out of this and I am interested in starting a discussion...

Well, I developed a similar scenario in A New Portugal, but there I had Albert marrying Isabella's sister, Catherine, and the Protestants were successfuly defeated in their war against the Spanish.

Anyway, I think that Albert's issue would have a lot of potential to take the position of Emperor instead of Ferdinand II. Albert's branch was senior in relation to Ferdinand's, and if it happens probably could be some kind of competition between them to decide who gets the Bohemian and Hungarian crown too.
 
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