I think this was discussed ages back on the old boards, WI there is no tragedy at Mayerling and Crown Prince Rudolf surives to succeed Emperor Franz Josef.
t was claimed by, among others, Empress Zita, widow of the last Emperor, Karl that the Crown Prince was killed either at the behest of Austrian security officials for his suspected pro-Hungarian sympathies or by French agents (he was close to George Clemaneu) because he refused to participate in the deposition of his pro-German father, Emperor Franz Josef.
Following the death of the Emperor's only son, the marriage of Franz Josef and Elisabeth collapsed completely, with the Empress spending much of her time abroad, particularly in England and Ireland where she loved to hunt. The new heir presumptive to the Austrian, Bohemian and Hungarian thrones was Archduke Karl Ludwig, eldest surviving brother of the Emperor. After Karl Ludwig's death, his oldest son, Archduke Franz Ferdinand became heir presumptive. His assassination in 1914 triggered off a chain of events that produced World War I.
Had Rudolf lived, it is possible that Emperor Franz Josef would have abdicated as had his father, passing the thrones to an emperor who was much more liberal in outlook and opposed to Austria's military alliance with Kaiser Wilhelm II's Germany that played such a part in triggering the First World War.
Rudolf's pro-Hungarian sympathies would have made a political settlement with Hungarian nationalists much easier. A younger Emperor would have made all the difference in the crucial years.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crown_Prince_Rudolf_of_Austria
Did Austria-Hungary have a Salic Law, Rudolf and Princess Stephanie of Belgium have only a daughter, Archduchess Elizabeth (Aussey, another queen-in-waiting). Elizabeth, notably became a communist in later years in the OTL and was dubbed the Red Archduchess
t was claimed by, among others, Empress Zita, widow of the last Emperor, Karl that the Crown Prince was killed either at the behest of Austrian security officials for his suspected pro-Hungarian sympathies or by French agents (he was close to George Clemaneu) because he refused to participate in the deposition of his pro-German father, Emperor Franz Josef.
Following the death of the Emperor's only son, the marriage of Franz Josef and Elisabeth collapsed completely, with the Empress spending much of her time abroad, particularly in England and Ireland where she loved to hunt. The new heir presumptive to the Austrian, Bohemian and Hungarian thrones was Archduke Karl Ludwig, eldest surviving brother of the Emperor. After Karl Ludwig's death, his oldest son, Archduke Franz Ferdinand became heir presumptive. His assassination in 1914 triggered off a chain of events that produced World War I.
Had Rudolf lived, it is possible that Emperor Franz Josef would have abdicated as had his father, passing the thrones to an emperor who was much more liberal in outlook and opposed to Austria's military alliance with Kaiser Wilhelm II's Germany that played such a part in triggering the First World War.
Rudolf's pro-Hungarian sympathies would have made a political settlement with Hungarian nationalists much easier. A younger Emperor would have made all the difference in the crucial years.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crown_Prince_Rudolf_of_Austria
Did Austria-Hungary have a Salic Law, Rudolf and Princess Stephanie of Belgium have only a daughter, Archduchess Elizabeth (Aussey, another queen-in-waiting). Elizabeth, notably became a communist in later years in the OTL and was dubbed the Red Archduchess
Empress Maria Theresa's (mother of Marie Antoinette) father issued the Pragmatic Sanction, which allowed Maria Theresa to rule. She was the first and only Habsburg Queen Regnant! Empress Elisabeth, Empress of Austria, Queen of Hungary, etc. sounds good!