Napoleon IV or Napoleon V?

Dorozhand

Banned
If, hypothetically, a Third French Empire had been created would the Bonaparte monarch be called Napoleon IV, as the Prince Imperial of the Second Empire never actually reigned, or would he be called Napoleon V, conceding to a completely hypothetical reign of the Prince Imperial after Napoleon III's abdication?

Perhaps it would depend on whether the Third Empire wishes to repudiate the Third Republic by disregarding its legitimacy, or embrace the legacy of the republic as a new "Liberal Empire".

What are your thoughts?
 
Its funny you should ask as I've just finished a Rather Excellent bio on Nap III; Sadly his son, the Prince Imperial aka to-be Nap IV was--of all things--killed during a British (!) Army expedition in Africa,under a hail of assegais :( So sadly there would need to be major changes, chief among them, again in my view personally, Having Nap III *not* start a needless, pointless Franco-Prussian War, keeping the Second Empire intact to pass on...not too likley though I imagine.... such is my thinking..FWIW the book I happen funnily enough to have beside me on my desk: Authored by John Bierman, Napoleon III & His Carnival Empire. (also i am very tired sorry for the short some what nonsensical nature of the reply) :p
 
If, hypothetically, a Third French Empire had been created would the Bonaparte monarch be called Napoleon IV, as the Prince Imperial of the Second Empire never actually reigned, or would he be called Napoleon V, conceding to a completely hypothetical reign of the Prince Imperial after Napoleon III's abdication?

Perhaps it would depend on whether the Third Empire wishes to repudiate the Third Republic by disregarding its legitimacy, or embrace the legacy of the republic as a new "Liberal Empire".

What are your thoughts?

He'd be Napoléon V - as the reign of the King of Rome is equally titular, yet Louis-Napoléon became Napoléon III.

And considering that no regime change - (republic to imperial - imperial to monarchy - monarchy to constitutional monarchy - constitutional monarchy to republic - republic to empire - empire to republic) in 19c France ever acknowledged the previous regime or the following as legitimate. According to the Legitimists, the Comte de Chambord was the actual king even though though Louis-Philippe and Napoléon III were keeping his throne warm for him. Same goes for the Orléanists and the Bonapartists.
 
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