WI: Antonio I (de Moctezuma): Emperor of the Second Mexican Empire

After being approached by the Mexican aristocracy and Napoleon III, Ferdinand Maximillian still steadfastly refuses the Imperial Crown of Mexico. He states his desire of becoming a full time botanist exploring the Amazon basin and becoming head of a state would impede his ambitions.

However, he strongly suggests them that Count Antonio María Marcilla de Teruel-Moctezuma y Navarro (who in OTL becomes a duke by Isabella II of Spain during Maximillian's reign) should be given the throne of Mexico due to his heritage, giving legitimacy to the throne than he could.

How would Mexican aristocrats, peasants, Napoleon and the Spanish Crown react to this suggestion? If the powers do accept his suggestion, could a Mexican Empire under Antonio de Moctezuma work?
 
It all depends on whether he was a Conservative thinker or not. IOTL the French experiment failed as Maximilian failed to garner any substantial force as he was too Liberal for the Mexican conservatives and was a Monarch which put off the Liberals.

If 'Emperor Antonio I' was very Conservative then he'd keep the Aristocracy and likely army on board, if he can't avoid a civil war he'll likely win it, maybe even convincing Napoleon III to send troops and support him.
 
It all depends on whether he was a Conservative thinker or not. IOTL the French experiment failed as Maximilian failed to garner any substantial force as he was too Liberal for the Mexican conservatives and was a Monarch which put off the Liberals.

If 'Emperor Antonio I' was very Conservative then he'd keep the Aristocracy and likely army on board, if he can't avoid a civil war he'll likely win it, maybe even convincing Napoleon III to send troops and support him.

There's not much information about the man (at least in english), however he was made a duke by the queen. How likely would she do that if the man was a progressive or moderate?
 
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