WI: Charlotte of Wales survives childbirth, becomes Queen

The search function having failed me again, what might have happened if Princess Charlotte of Wales and her baby survived childbirth, instead of both dying? For that matter, what would her reign be referred to as? The Second Caroline Era, perhaps? And what would her reign be like? Would she try to interfere with politics, much like her grandfather, or had that ship sailed by then? How would her being on the throne instead of the conservative Victoria effect the social mores of the era? How many children would she and Leopold likely have? If Leopold is prince consort, does somebody else become King of Belgium? When might her now-surviving son (We'll call him William IV) take the throne?
 
The search function having failed me again, what might have happened if Princess Charlotte of Wales and her baby survived childbirth, instead of both dying? For that matter, what would her reign be referred to as? The Second Caroline Era, perhaps? And what would her reign be like? Would she try to interfere with politics, much like her grandfather, or had that ship sailed by then? How would her being on the throne instead of the conservative Victoria effect the social mores of the era? How many children would she and Leopold likely have? If Leopold is prince consort, does somebody else become King of Belgium? When might her now-surviving son (We'll call him William IV) take the throne?

Well ince she died so young we don't have much ideas, but I'm more then hapy to speculate. For one, she whas very strong willed. When her father tried to force her to marry the Prince of Orange, she ran away and it took the better part of the night to get her to return to the palace but she didn't marry Orange. I would guess she would be very difficult to persuade once she had an idea in her head and would most defiantly try to interfere in politics. Since the great reform bill wasn't passed until 1832 its very possible she would be able to successfully interfere in politics. We also know she was very pro Whig so she might favor them but on the other hand, all Hanoverian Heirs tended to favor the opposition party while heir and switch when they inherited the throne so its speculation either way.

As for social effects, well its difficult to speculate. The high morality came from Albert, not Victoria so it would depend on Leopold in my opinion. After all Charlotte might have been raised away from court but she new most of the going ons, especially between her father and mother . So she might be more liberal morally then her cousin but again it depends. I think Leopold encouraged Albert's frigidness but he never fallowed his own advise since he had several mistresses (I doubt he would have many mistresses if he was just Prince/King Consort). IDK about children numbers. Leopold had four by his wife two by his mistress but Charlotte grandparents had 15 so its hit and miss (though since Charlotte had already had 2 miscarriages before her death so I would guess it would be lower then 15 but again she was young so it really depends. Supposedly the reason King George III and Victoria and Albert had so many children was because they (the men_ had no mistresses so take what you will from that.)

No chance of Leopold becoming King of Belgium. As for a different Belgian King, Charlotte could nominate her uncle, Prince Adolphus Duke of Cambridge. He already had a son and was a real British so theres a chance. Or perhaps the French candidate, Louis, Duc de Nemours. Its really up in the air really.

As for heir era's name, Second Caroline Era sounds about right. As for the theoretical William IV's reign starting,if Charlotte lives as long as cousin Victoria then it would be around 1875 or 76.
 
No chance of Leopold becoming King of Belgium. As for a different Belgian King, Charlotte could nominate her uncle, Prince Adolphus Duke of Cambridge. He already had a son and was a real British so theres a chance. Or perhaps the French candidate, Louis, Duc de Nemours. Its really up in the air really.
I doubt the British would support a French candidate and I am not sure if the French would like to see a Brit on the Belgian throne. But there are enough German princes to choose from, so that shouldn't be a big problem.
 
The search function having failed me again, what might have happened if Princess Charlotte of Wales and her baby survived childbirth, instead of both dying? For that matter, what would her reign be referred to as? The Second Caroline Era, perhaps? And what would her reign be like? Would she try to interfere with politics, much like her grandfather, or had that ship sailed by then? How would her being on the throne instead of the conservative Victoria effect the social mores of the era? How many children would she and Leopold likely have? If Leopold is prince consort, does somebody else become King of Belgium? When might her now-surviving son (We'll call him William IV) take the throne?

First one must consider what would happen during the reign of her father George IV. George IV was very unpopular, and it is likely that Caroline would be the focus of opposition.

As noted, Caroline was quite willing to fight with her father, as when she refused to marry the Prince of Orange.

This could have a moderating effect on British public opinion. OTL, 1820s Britain was dominated by Tory ministries. The King was widely despised, and his brother the Duke of Cumberland was loathed. No member of the royal family was much respected or popular until the accession of Victoria in 1837. But Caroline was popular and her succession would be eagerly anticipated, diffusing much of the anti-monarchical feeling that George IV provoked.
 
First one must consider what would happen during the reign of her father George IV. George IV was very unpopular, and it is likely that Caroline would be the focus of opposition.

As noted, Caroline was quite willing to fight with her father, as when she refused to marry the Prince of Orange.

This could have a moderating effect on British public opinion. OTL, 1820s Britain was dominated by Tory ministries. The King was widely despised, and his brother the Duke of Cumberland was loathed. No member of the royal family was much respected or popular until the accession of Victoria in 1837. But Caroline was popular and her succession would be eagerly anticipated, diffusing much of the anti-monarchical feeling that George IV provoked.

You know, when you think about it, Charlotte and Leopold were almost like William and Mary, with George IV playing the part of James II. George, like James, was very unpopular and everyone was looking forward to his daughters reign. A daughter who, if she had peacefully ascended the throne, intended to give large amounts of power and influence to her consort.

Also, what would happen with Charlotte's mother, Caroline of Brunswick, in such a scenario? Would she stay in exile, waiting for her daughters ascention or return to claim her rights as Queen? Would George still try to devorce her upon becoming King? (FYI, Caroline might not died in 1821 in such a scenerio. She either died of an intestinal obstruction or cancer. If its an intestinal obstruction, I would guess there's a larger chance of her surviving then if its cancer.)
 
As a note, George IV would probably live longer as he was pretty badly effected by the death of his only heir.

As a further note, the mad rush to marry that occurred in George IV's brothers after her death won't happen, so the Duke of Clarence (who never becomes William IV) would remain happily with his illegitimate family, the Duke of Kent would never marry and produce Victoria, though one never can quite read Ernest, Duke of Cumberland, and he may still in fact marry.

Hannover would break off earlier from the British crown, though if George IV is living longer it might not be THAT much earlier. Clarence probably gets a shot at being king there.

The Duke of Kent ironically might actually live longer, since he won't be where he was and doing what he was when he got ill and died. If he does, then maybe he marries late, and produces the line for the kingdom of Hannover

Best Regards
Grey Wolf
 
As a note, George IV would probably live longer as he was pretty badly effected by the death of his only heir.

As a further note, the mad rush to marry that occurred in George IV's brothers after her death won't happen, so the Duke of Clarence (who never becomes William IV) would remain happily with his illegitimate family, the Duke of Kent would never marry and produce Victoria, though one never can quite read Ernest, Duke of Cumberland, and he may still in fact marry.

Hannover would break off earlier from the British crown, though if George IV is living longer it might not be THAT much earlier. Clarence probably gets a shot at being king there.

The Duke of Kent ironically might actually live longer, since he won't be where he was and doing what he was when he got ill and died. If he does, then maybe he marries late, and produces the line for the kingdom of Hannover

Best Regards
Grey Wolf

Ernest, Duke of Cumberlandis likely to marry as OTL with is OTL wife because he marry he for reasons different from Charlotte's death and I think who also Victoria's parents can marry as OTL for different motives (he need a wife for obtain more money from the Parliament and she will be the sister-in-law of the English heiress)
 
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