Who would have been regent for Napoleon II?

We all like Napoleonic victory maps & timelines, but how are things to go on after his dead?

Assuming Napoleon stays in power, but dies in 1821 or a few years later, with his son still a minor.
Who would be regent?

The constituion stipulated an prince francais (the regent had to be male) or lacking a prince above 25 one of the grand-dignitaires (who formed an regnency council anyway).

Princes above 25 would have been AFAIK:

  • Joseph
  • Jerome
  • Louis
Lucien had been thrown out of the dynasty and I am not sure of Eugene or one of Napoleons brothers in law would count.

Grand-dignitaires would have been


The thing is that of Napoleons bothers Jerome and Joseph were foreign monarchs and Louis might still be in exile.

Eugene would be the next in line, but an somewhat akward choice (given that he was heir before Napolen II's birth).

As many princes/grand dignitaires would normaly be on their posts/thrones outside France Talleyrand might try to outmanover them.

And there would be the question at which age Napoleon the II would be declared fit to rule.
Anything from 14 to 25 seems possible.

And what if he dies young to?
 
First off, I have to ask how many people think the Bonapartes, especially in a 'Napoleon wins' scenario, would care about the imperial constitution? ;)

Now with that being said it'll depend on your POD. 1815 is agreed to be too late afaik. If he gets some Prussian-level luck in the Six Days' Campaign, and stands up to Ney, perhaps in 1814 a status quo antebellum is enforced with Napoléon abdicating. Anything before that is pushing out of my limited knowledge.
 
Just have the Peace of Amiens actually last. This is before Napoleon II is born, so I don't know if that's too early or not, maybe he ends up being Josephine's child as well? Perhaps Napoleon does stay in power ill 1821 like the OP desires and dies with his son still a minor, requiring a regent. The PoD is early enough to where Lucian can still be a candidate, he was well liked by the people and was a true revolutionary, and might stir things up.
 
Looking at the OP's post and his intentions, if we assume that there is no Russian disaster, no Russian invasion etc, then we can work out some sort of structure where France is able to either win the Peninsular War or make a stalemate of it, and Joseph maybe rules a rump Spain or something

Eugene would be the best choice. I don't think he would be put off by it being awkward - things have ALWAYS been somewhat awkward for him, and he always proved loyal

Davout could be another good choice, efficient and ruthless, he'd make sure the army stayed onside

Best Regards
Grey Wolf
 
One thing to take into account is if the Napoleonic situation survives in Italy. Eugene was to be given the Kingdom of Italy after Napoleon's death, so if this survives, then he has a throne to go to as well. It could be speculated that if there are some bits of Italy left but not the original Kingdom then these might be split off to form a new one for Eugene.
 
Looking at the OP's post and his intentions, if we assume that there is no Russian disaster, no Russian invasion etc, then we can work out some sort of structure where France is able to either win the Peninsular War or make a stalemate of it, and Joseph maybe rules a rump Spain or something

Eugene would be the best choice. I don't think he would be put off by it being awkward - things have ALWAYS been somewhat awkward for him, and he always proved loyal

Davout could be another good choice, efficient and ruthless, he'd make sure the army stayed onside

Best Regards
Grey Wolf

Pretty much my ideas, yes.

One thing to take into account is if the Napoleonic situation survives in Italy. Eugene was to be given the Kingdom of Italy after Napoleon's death, so if this survives, then he has a throne to go to as well. It could be speculated that if there are some bits of Italy left but not the original Kingdom then these might be split off to form a new one for Eugene.

Good point
 
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