Reigning for 77 years James III will have the longest reign in English history.
It's arguable that the see-saw was finally broken rather then fixed in one position in George III reign, and his madness killed the chances for the Monarch to try to grab hold of the power again.In this era the power of the Monarch and Parliament is best described as a see-saw, going up and down based on the strength of the monarch compared to parliament. The birth of Bonnie Prince James and the Glorious Revolution basically broke the see-saw. In this TL, the see-saw continues to go up and down with no end in sight.
It's arguable that the see-saw was finally broken rather then fixed in one position in George III reign, and his madness killed the chances for the Monarch to try to grab hold of the power again.
Anyways, Sophia Dorothea brings in porphyria with her Hannover genes, which means that son or grandson of James III may still end up with symptoms not unlike those of George III and we have a Mad King thing. I'd prefer this princess https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulrika_Eleonora,_Queen_of_Sweden just for the potential of Stuart branch on Swedish throne if things go as OTL.
In 1702 she was proposed as a bride to future George II, but this failed. Maybe a more successful British suit along the same time period for James III?
In fact he may well go for one of the daughters of this prince - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Casimir_II,_Prince_of_Nassau-Dietz - for James III if he tries to meddle. If William is childless and aware of this, then Nassau-Dietz are natural successors of his. So if he wants Dutch-leaning Britain, may as well continue the tradition of Stadtholder and King of Britain being in-laws.Hmm, would he seek to work with the regency council to make it more Dutch friendly? Potential marriage candidates one would thing would be amongst the Protestant german princes
In fact he may well go for one of the daughters of this prince - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Casimir_II,_Prince_of_Nassau-Dietz - for James III if he tries to meddle. If William is childless and aware of this, then Nassau-Dietz are natural successors of his. So if he wants Dutch-leaning Britain, may as well continue the tradition of Stadtholder and King of Britain being in-laws.
Ulrika was the family unfavorite among her siblings, and maybe it's no coincidence she was able to marry only after her dominating grandmother died, in 1715. Maybe there would be an opposition from Swedish Queen Dowager not wanting her favorite daughter, who married just a Duke, be outranked by one who married a King. Also, Stuarts were pretty money-conscious when it came to dowry, and Dutch are able to offer waaay more than Swedes.
Only if Ulrika is able to have children, which is 50/50 as early marriage is unlikely so maybe she marries to Hesse as OTL, and we have a Dutch match with a princess from pretty fertile family, so Stuart succession is secured, and financial stability is probably secured as well (depending on how generous William III feels towards his half-brother in law).
If he's brought up as a devout Protestant--then he wouldn't be a Francophile.Most likely placing him third or fourth on the longest reigning monarchs ever. Yay.
I do wonder, what sort of changes he could witness or perhaps invite during his reign. Perhaps greater industrialisation, the potential to avoid a Seven Years War if something such as the Francophile direction of his father and uncle continues?
If he's brought up as a devout Protestant--then he wouldn't be a Francophile.
He is born 4 years post PoD so why not? But I think more interesting twist to Spanish succession along with this is Maria Antonia herself not dying giving birth to Joseph but living a bit longer (say to the age of 39 like her uncle thus to 1708).Also, in regards to Spain, could it make sense to have Joseph Ferdinand survive to succeed Carlos II?
If Maria is not dying then we can see very interesting stuff come 1700.Charles II's mother, Mariana of Austria, supported the candidacy of Maximilian Emmanuel, Elector of Bavaria, husband of her granddaughter Maria Antonia, and then that of Joseph Ferdinand (who was descended from the first Habsburg king in Spain, Philip I of Castile, thirty-one different ways). The Bavarian claim found many supporters among the nobles unhappy with the German clique of Mariana of Neuburg, Charles II's second wife. On her deathbed, Emperor Leopold I had forced his daughter, Maria Antonia (the Electoral Prince's mother), to waive her inheritance rights in order to limit the powers of the newborn.
He is born 4 years post PoD so why not? But I think more interesting twist to Spanish succession along with this is Maria Antonia herself not dying giving birth to Joseph but living a bit longer (say to the age of 39 like her uncle thus to 1708).
If Maria is not dying then we can see very interesting stuff come 1700.
Leopold would be pissed to see personal union between Spain and Bavaria, so he would no doubt go for something like this. AND get French on the side, who probably try to bring Savoy on the treaty while Spanish Netherlands will go to Austria as OTL, and Savoy gets Milan(?). A very interesting political map will ensue.Max Emanuel of Bavaria sent for his son to come to Brussels with the intention that the States of Flanders would swear an oath on the death of Charles II. Joseph Ferdinand came to the Flemish capital on 23 May 1698. Meanwhile, Louis XIV agreed in The Hague with the maritime powers on the distribution of the Spanish Crown's lands on the death of Charles II: the treaty was signed with England on September 8 and the United Provinces on 11 October. It provided that the peninsular kingdoms, with the exception of Guipúzcoa, plus the Indies would go to Joseph Ferdinand (section 5), the Archduke Charles would receive the Milanese (article 6), while Louis, Dauphin of France would remain in possession of the kingdoms of Naples and Sicily, as well as the State of Presidi and the Marquisate of Finale.
Though Leopold's shenaningans regarding his daughter's rights can and will happen, and I think something like this is likely:
Leopold would be pissed to see personal union between Spain and Bavaria, so he would no doubt go for something like this. AND get French on the side, who probably try to bring Savoy on the treaty while Spanish Netherlands will go to Austria as OTL, and Savoy gets Milan(?). A very interesting political map will ensue.