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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?