Constantinople Recognizes Carolingians as WRE?

What would it take for the Emperors in Constantinople to recognize Charlemagne and his heirs as the 'legitimate' Emperor of the Western Roman Empire? I'd imagine the Byzantines (Calling them that for the sake of clarity) would have to be desperate and gain something valuable in a moment of need to accept an illiterate barbarian like Charlemagne as a de jure equal to the successors of Constantine and Justinian.

Suppose the Pope crowns Charlemagne more or less as in OTL, for similar reasons. Constantinople however is in a more desperate situation given say, a third Arab siege or similarly severe situation, and is in no position to immediately contest this.

Charlemagne sees an opportunity for an agreement, but Pope Leo III is opposed... Until he's struck by a flash of inspiration. He turns and suggests that the Byzantines might be willing to accept if offered security and something of value.

He proposes that Charlemagne offer to raise an Army of the West from his domains to be placed under the Eastern Empire's command in order to relieve Constantinople/Recover Anatolia/etc for the relief of their Christian brothers in the East.

In return, the Byzantines will recognize the Imperial crown of Charlemagne, and settle disputes of suzerainty in Italy. Pope Leo 'helpfully' proposes that Italy north of Latinum be tributary de jure to the WRE, while the Byzantines are guaranteed of their possessions south of Latinum, including Sicily and Sardinia. As for Latinum (and Rome) itself, the Bishop of Rome will govern it as a neutral ground, under the protection (in theory) of both Empires, where they may meet as equals and as Romans for the good of all Christians and their subjects.

Would the Byzantines ever be desperate enough to accept a proposal like this? If they did accept it, could it work in the long-term?
 
You'd need a situation desperate to the point of something like the Ottoman threat to the Empire's existence was, I think.

Acknowledging him as an emperor at all was worse than pulling teeth.
 
In the eyes of ERE carolingians were mere barbarians... Eastern Roman Emperor would never accept to recognise a Carolingian as his imperial colleague (remember Empress Irene who was considering marrying Charlemagne... She was kicked out instantly by nobles who feared that such a marriage would legitimise Charlemagne's otherwise hollow title)

Even Charlemagne himself knew that his title was empty without recognition from Constantinople and thats why he constantly pressed (virtually begged) every Byzantine Emperor for recognition...
Eventually he got "Pax Nicephori" from Emperor Nicephorus I but even then ERE recognised him as a mere "Rex" a King without an Imperial title...

I dont think that any ERE Emperor would recognise any Carolingian as Emperor... That would mean instant coup by nobles...
 
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