From my "Prince Imperial Lives" thread, here's wolfbrother's scenario.
So, how does this affect prewar (assuming the war happens before 1918) European politics? CP-to-be gets a bit jittery, UK and Spain thrilled, not so sure about Russia. Perhaps the French military gets upgraded earlier?
Possibly. It would depend on the exact chronology of events.
Do you mean a Bonaparte upon the throne of Spain, or simply a Bonapartist House within Spain?
EDIT: Here's a rough sketch of a TL:
1879: POD, Napoléon lives
1880: Napoléon returns to Britain. He and Marie are married within the year.
1881: Birth of Napoléon and Marie's first son Louis-Napoléon (Napoléon V)
1883: Birth of a second son, Victor-Napoléon
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1898: Napoléon V, under an alias, volunteers for the Spanish and gains military experience fighting in the Spanish-American War
1899: Death of President Félix Faure during the Dreyfus Affair. Napoléon launches his coup, though he's thwarted by a similar effort made by Prince Philippe, Duke of Orléans. The Third Republic survives, just barely. Alfred Dreyfus is NOT given a second trial.
1900-1901: French Civil War between Bonapartists, Orléanists, and republicans. Ultimately Napoléon IV is able to take Paris and institute the Third Empire.
1903: Marriage of Napoléon V to Princess Patricia of Connaught and Victor-Napoléon to Infanta Maria Teresa of Spain, securing France's ties to its two closest allies.
So, how does this affect prewar (assuming the war happens before 1918) European politics? CP-to-be gets a bit jittery, UK and Spain thrilled, not so sure about Russia. Perhaps the French military gets upgraded earlier?