What would have happened to the British foreign policy towards Prussia and German unification had Prince Albert, the Prince Consort lived?
Initially, Prince Albert favored a Prussian leading role in a unified Germany, as he saw the chance of a British-German alliance to lead a liberal movement in central Europe. But had he lived, would he have embraced or opposed the Conservative movement led by Bismarck? How would he have reacted to the poor treatment Bismarck bestowed on his daughter as Crown Princess and his son-law the Crown Prince Frederick, moving both Prussia and Germany away from any liberal progress and a British style Constitutional Monarchy?
Would Prince Albert have looked away in order to allow a Prussian led German Unification in the hopes his son and daughter would have righted the “wrongs” he may have perceived Bismarck enforced when they come to the throne? He had no power over the British Parliament, but by his death he had the respect of many of the leaders in the government and held some influence, and he may have given them advice that would have been less than neutral or pro-Prussian in nature.
Initially, Prince Albert favored a Prussian leading role in a unified Germany, as he saw the chance of a British-German alliance to lead a liberal movement in central Europe. But had he lived, would he have embraced or opposed the Conservative movement led by Bismarck? How would he have reacted to the poor treatment Bismarck bestowed on his daughter as Crown Princess and his son-law the Crown Prince Frederick, moving both Prussia and Germany away from any liberal progress and a British style Constitutional Monarchy?
Would Prince Albert have looked away in order to allow a Prussian led German Unification in the hopes his son and daughter would have righted the “wrongs” he may have perceived Bismarck enforced when they come to the throne? He had no power over the British Parliament, but by his death he had the respect of many of the leaders in the government and held some influence, and he may have given them advice that would have been less than neutral or pro-Prussian in nature.