Elizabeth: Not Empress of Austria

In 1853 Princess Helene of Bavaria traveled with her mother Ludovika and her younger sister Elizabeth to the resort of Bad Ischl, Upper Austria.
There were hopes that she would become the bride of their cousin, Emperor Francis Joseph of Austria.
Francis Joseph decided that he preferred Elizabeth instead. He married Elizabeth.
Eventually Helene became the wife of Prince Maximilian of Thurn and Taxis.
Suppose Emperor Francis Joseph marries Helene. Who shall marry Elizabeth of Bavaria?
 
Well it wont be Prince Maximilian of Thurn and Taxis, he was just a go to fo Duchess Helene, as she was scared of being an "old maiden" at 22 :eek: shocking I know.

While Elizabeth is still 15, so is still young and beautiful, and could have her pick:

- There is Prince George of Saxony (future King of Saxony)
- Ferdinand IV, Grand Duke of Tuscany
- Pedro V of Portugal

The funny thing about Helene being Empress is, that she had one quality, that would not have been accepted: she was habitually late, and often missed trains and appointments.
If she followed her sister route in life, she may miss being assassinated in 1898, due to her lateness :)
 
Nene: Tardy, yes, but also pious and serious, traits which may have served her well at the Austrian court. Perhaps mother-in-law would not be so hard on someone who was towing the line in the first place. With Nene, I see more time spent in Vienna, less, if any sympathy with the Hungarians but I don;t think any of this would change the course of the early reign. Austria was bound to lose in Italy and Germany. Only a horse trading realist of a prime minister could have salvaged better outcomes.

Sisi: yes she would have been in demand as a Grand Duchess or regional Queen, but what if someone got the bright idea of marrying her off to Napoleon III? I have often thought about this. It would have required that wily prime minister that never was to initiate an about face in Austrian policy regarding France.

But think of it. Flawless and petulant Sisi throwing shade all over Paris.
 
Nene: Tardy, yes, but also pious and serious, traits which may have served her well at the Austrian court. Perhaps mother-in-law would not be so hard on someone who was towing the line in the first place. With Nene, I see more time spent in Vienna, less, if any sympathy with the Hungarians but I don;t think any of this would change the course of the early reign. Austria was bound to lose in Italy and Germany. Only a horse trading realist of a prime minister could have salvaged better outcomes.

Sisi: yes she would have been in demand as a Grand Duchess or regional Queen, but what if someone got the bright idea of marrying her off to Napoleon III? I have often thought about this. It would have required that wily prime minister that never was to initiate an about face in Austrian policy regarding France.

But think of it. Flawless and petulant Sisi throwing shade all over Paris.
Napoleon had married already before the "POD" (January 29/30 1853)

Not only that, we also know what happen the last time a German/Austrian royalty married into France - Marie Antoinette?

Leave her to marry a German or Italian Prince, turning the tide against the French.
 
Not only that, we also know what happen the last time a German/Austrian royalty married into France - Marie Antoinette?

Leave her to marry a German or Italian Prince, turning the tide against the French.
How would marrying an Italian turn the tide against the French?
 
How would marrying an Italian turn the tide against the French?

With Elizabeth as Queen of an Italian kingdom, her link to Austria will unite the two against France , Francis II of the Two Sicilies, IOTL married her sister Maria, if he marries Elizabeth, she will be able to demand more help for her sister and brother-in-law, to fight against Giuseppe Garibaldi.
 
Elizabeth marries Archduke Joseph Karl of Austria (1833-1905), son of Archduke Joseph, Palatine of Hungary and Maria Dorothea.
 
Elizabeth marries Archduke Joseph Karl of Austria (1833-1905), son of Archduke Joseph, Palatine of Hungary and Maria Dorothea.

In reality, when Empress Elizabeth of Austria was expecting a fourth child, there were rumors that if the infant she was expecting were a son, she would call him Stephen (Istvan), after the patron saint of Hungary.

Elizabeth marries the Archduke Joseph Karl.
Their children are:
Archduke Istvan
Archduchess Ludovika
Archduke Joseph Maximilian
Archduchess Dorothea
 
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