alternatehistory.com

On January 30th, 1889 Rudolf, Crown Prince of Austria, killed himself and his lover Mary, Baroness Vetsera.

Rudolf had another lover (Mizzi Kaspar) who knew about the fact that Rudolf wanted to kill himself. She informed the Vienna police, but was ignored.

What if, the police acted and informed the palace. Franz Josef hurries to Mayerling to save his son. There both men quarrel and Rudolf draws the gun and shoots his father, committing suicide immediately after.

Franz Josefs brother Karl Ludwig (died 1896 OTL) is next in line for the throne.

Karl Ludwig is 55, is more interested in the arts than politics. He is very religious (on the border of madness? - blessing passers by from his carriage,...). OTL he dies (visiting his son in Egypt) after drinking polluted water from the Jordan.

Is this worth a timeline,...

IF you believe so, tell me what should/could happen!
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