Archduke Charles Joseph survives

So, this is something that's become a bit of a favourite of mine. In otl, Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand had three sons who lived past infancy, Ferdinand IV, Leopold I and Charles Joseph. Ferdinand IV died in 1654, Leopold eventually took on the purple, and Charles died in 1664 aged fifteen. My question is this, if Charles Joseph does not die in 1664, what role might he play in Habsburg politics? Would he be made Archduke of Inner or Further Austria, or perhaps even Tyrol? Whom might he marry, Bourbon? A German princess? Would he play a role in the military affairs of his brother, and perhaps develop a reputation as a soldier and commander? Working alongside Prince Eugene of Savoy.
 
So, this is something that's become a bit of a favourite of mine. In otl, Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand had three sons who lived past infancy, Ferdinand IV, Leopold I and Charles Joseph. Ferdinand IV died in 1654, Leopold eventually took on the purple, and Charles died in 1664 aged fifteen. My question is this, if Charles Joseph does not die in 1664, what role might he play in Habsburg politics? Would he be made Archduke of Inner or Further Austria, or perhaps even Tyrol? Whom might he marry, Bourbon? A German princess? Would he play a role in the military affairs of his brother, and perhaps develop a reputation as a soldier and commander? Working alongside Prince Eugene of Savoy.

Likely brides for him are Margarita Teresa of Spain (because it means there's no bogey of a Charles V-style empire looming), or Klaudia Felizitas/Maria Magdalene of Inner Austria, if she's unavailable. Other than that, an Italian princess is more likely.

https://www.alternatehistory.com/fo...a-male-line-of-the-habsburgs-continue.369211/
 
Alright fascinating, so if he does marry Margarita Teresa, that likely means his brother Leopold needs to look elsewhere for a first wife, which could perhaps be someone from France? Which in itself breeds fascinating consequences. Perhaps he marries Marguerite Louise of Orleans?
 
Alright fascinating, so if he does marry Margarita Teresa, that likely means his brother Leopold needs to look elsewhere for a first wife, which could perhaps be someone from France? Which in itself breeds fascinating consequences. Perhaps he marries Marguerite Louise of Orleans?

Nope. There were only two Bourbon empresses - both after the Habsburgs were extinct, and neither French. At this point, the French and the Habsburgs still have enough of a feud going on that Leopold will marry elsewhere (where IDK, Italy? Bavaria? the archduchess his brother doesn't marry?).
 
Nope. There were only two Bourbon empresses - both after the Habsburgs were extinct, and neither French. At this point, the French and the Habsburgs still have enough of a feud going on that Leopold will marry elsewhere (where IDK, Italy? Bavaria? the archduchess his brother doesn't marry?).

Hmm, Claudia Felicitas sounds good I guess, to bring Tyrol into the fold.
 
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