Just what the title says. What would British and European politics look like if Prince Albert didn't die in 1861? Would Britain intervene in the American Civil war? Would the British Monarchy be more powerful today with Queen Victoria continuing to actively participate in governing?
WI: Prince-Consort Albert lives
- Thread starter Emperor Constantine
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Alex Richards
Donor
Well, looking at Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Alfred is due to inherit the throne (though it passing to a second son is absolutely certain), and he was in favour of a liberal, unified, federal Germany. This could have some impact on British politics wrt 1848 etc.
Flubber
Banned
If you'd even bothered to check Albert's Wiki page, you'd have learned that Albert personally interceded to soften a critical British diplomatic dispatch during the Trent Affair and thus lessen the chance of war with the US.
As a man of classic liberal opinions, Albert presence and advice to Victoria would mean there was an even smaller chance of the UK recognizing the rebels or joining the war.
While Victoria went into deep mourning for Albert an remained out of the public eye for decades, she was still in near constant contact with her governments and ministers throughout her reign. While she can and did stop her "public relation" activities, she never avoided her duties.
The biggest effect Albert's survival will have is on the future Edward VI.
Any idea what the affect of the relationship would have been between the father and son princes? Would Albert have encouraged more participation of Bertie in the government, unlike his mother who did not.? Would he have had an influence on the education of his British grandsons, Eddy and Georgie? Or would Bertie's reaction to his own education created by his father have been the same? Would Bertie have been as promiscuous as he became if his domineering and straight laced father were still alive? How would he have been able to encourage his daughter Vicky and son in law Fritz as they dealt with Bismarck? Would he have been an influence on his German grandson Willie?
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Actually a surviving Albert would have probably had more impact on the family than anything else - he was of the two a more hands on parent and whilst strict and determined to produce perfect royal children he was far easier to deal with than Victoria.
Their daughters in particular may have had a better and happier time of it with him living out a normal life-span - particularly the youngest daughters who Victoria bullied and clung too.
As to the son's well Bertie's path was pretty well set by the time of Albert's death though he might have found his activities more curtailed by Albert but he also might have had some support in finding a proper role whilst waiting for the throne (which his mother never gave him). The other son's might have also faired a bit better (Arthur was Victoria's favourite and was largely left alone with his army career) she had little time for Bertie and Affie and wasn't particularly kind to Leopold.
The younger children's marriages might well have been very different - Vicky's marriage had occurred before Albert's death as had Alice's engagement and they had already settled on Alix of Denmark for Bertie but the rest would probably have been different.
Politically his reaction to the unification of germany under Prussia would have been interesting - the ultimate failure of his view of what Vicky's marriage would mean for the future of both nations.
Their daughters in particular may have had a better and happier time of it with him living out a normal life-span - particularly the youngest daughters who Victoria bullied and clung too.
As to the son's well Bertie's path was pretty well set by the time of Albert's death though he might have found his activities more curtailed by Albert but he also might have had some support in finding a proper role whilst waiting for the throne (which his mother never gave him). The other son's might have also faired a bit better (Arthur was Victoria's favourite and was largely left alone with his army career) she had little time for Bertie and Affie and wasn't particularly kind to Leopold.
The younger children's marriages might well have been very different - Vicky's marriage had occurred before Albert's death as had Alice's engagement and they had already settled on Alix of Denmark for Bertie but the rest would probably have been different.
Politically his reaction to the unification of germany under Prussia would have been interesting - the ultimate failure of his view of what Vicky's marriage would mean for the future of both nations.