Maria Theresia: still Holy Roman Empress but Great Regent instead?

The express intent of this scenario is to maintain the House of Habsburg in the male line while maintaining the reforms/legacy/influence of Maria Theresia in some fashion, without the existence of an illegitimate/natural line (too easy)

So, if say Karl VI has a son later in life, say 1730, but the boy is sickly, so he continues to campaign for the recognition of the pragmatic sanction just in case.

Karl VI dies same time in 1740, the boy is around 10. Francis is elected Holy Roman Emperor as the boy is considered too young but the court of Austria fearing the influence of Elisabeth Christine/House of Welf make Maria Theresia regent for her younger brother instead while leaving the boy in Elisabeth Christine's care.

Additionally the young child's mental capacities are in doubt, he weds (not picky as to whom) when he achieves his majority in 1745 but effective control of the govt. remains in Maria Theresia's hands. He is fortunate to have twin son's in say 1747 but both him and his bride pass away in 1750 leaving the children in Maria Theresia's care and so her regency continues until the eldest twin (both live) achieves his majority in 1760/61. (She remains a trusted advisor and holds strong influence over the new Archduke, who eventually becomes HRE when Francis I dies in 1765)

How plausible is such a scenario? Reactions from other powers? How would Maria Theresia be viewed in such a scenario? power hungry or great caretaker? (very convoluted means but thought I'd put if out there) With regards to external powers I think the imperial election post Karl VI will be very interesting.
 
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The express intent of this scenario is to maintain the House of Habsburg in the male line while maintaining the reforms/legacy/influence of Maria Theresia in some fashion, without the existence of an illegitimate/natural line (too easy)

So, if say Karl VI has a son later in life, say 1730, but the boy is sickly, so he continues to campaign for the recognition of the pragmatic sanction just in case.

Karl VI dies same time in 1740, the boy is around 10. Francis is elected Holy Roman Emperor as the boy is considered too young but the court of Austria fearing the influence of Elisabeth Christine/House of Welf make Maria Theresia regent for her younger brother instead while leaving the boy in Elisabeth Christine's care.

Additionally the young child's mental capacities are in doubt, he weds (not picky as to whom) when he achieves his majority in 1745 but effective control of the govt. remains in Maria Theresia's hands. He is fortunate to have twin son's in say 1747 but both him and his bride pass away in 1750 leaving the children in Maria Theresia's care and so her regency continues until the eldest twin (both live) achieves his majority in 1760/61. (She remains a trusted advisor and holds strong influence over the new Archduke, who eventually becomes HRE when Francis I dies in 1765)

How plausible is such a scenario? Reactions from other powers? How would Maria Theresia be viewed in such a scenario? power hungry or great caretaker? (very convoluted means but thought I'd put if out there) With regards to external powers I think the imperial election post Karl VI will be very interesting.

Well, considering that OTL, Karl VI stipulated in MT's marriage contract as well as several other documents at various points, that she and François Étienne were to waive all claims to the empire in the event that the Empress Elisabeth should die, Karl remarries and produced a son. François didn't like this idea - since Karl had refused to allow him to marry MT without giving up Lorraine - because it seemed like Karl wanted him to give up his birthright when his compensation (succeeding as emperor) could be yanked away in a moment. As to Karl VI leaving an underage son, chances are good that Karl Albrecht of Bavaria still stages an attempt at becoming Emperor Karl VII.
 
Well, considering that OTL, Karl VI stipulated in MT's marriage contract as well as several other documents at various points, that she and François Étienne were to waive all claims to the empire in the event that the Empress Elisabeth should die, Karl remarries and produced a son. François didn't like this idea - since Karl had refused to allow him to marry MT without giving up Lorraine - because it seemed like Karl wanted him to give up his birthright when his compensation (succeeding as emperor) could be yanked away in a moment. As to Karl VI leaving an underage son, chances are good that Karl Albrecht of Bavaria still stages an attempt at becoming Emperor Karl VII.

In total agreement on the Imperial election, however the renunciation clause might not necessarily matter. In this scenario, the son is pre-war of polish succession. This gives Karl a bit more flexibility, he still wants the pragmatic sanction recognised (by the saxon's) so lets make the case that he loans Saxony material & troops secretly in exchange for recognition of the sanction without actively invading the PLC while keeping mum on Austria's position on the PLC election. France loses causus belli at least initially and it lessens Britains' ability to extricate herself from the Anglo-Austrian alliance as Austria on a technicality isn't the aggressor as of yet. With this in place Francis/Francois does not have to renounce Lorraine.......
 
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