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I know that there have been various previous threads on this subject but, to my knowledge, they rarely seem to get past a few initial replies and discussion; and, as always, it’s sometimes good to start a fresh new look at any AH scenario.

A surviving Princess Charlotte of Wales would certainly make a very interesting ATL. A few observations I’ve considered on this topic:

1. I don't know much about Charlotte, other than that she was poorly educated, had a similar temperament to her father (whom she hated) and had strong Whig sympathies. Given all of that, I'm thinking that the OTL Reform Bill happens right on schedule, if not slightly earlier ITTL.

Her husband, Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, will most likely be the primary influence on her, which isn't too terrible of a scenario, since in OTL he was also rather influential on his niece, Queen Victoria, during her early years on the throne. He seems to have been naturally astute and pragmatic as a politician, at least from what I know about him in OTL as King of the Belgians (please correct me if I'm wrong). Like Prince Albert in OTL, he was in favor of implementing social reforms (regulating child labor, etc.) and investing in technological innovations (extending railways, etc.). At least Britain will be a better outlet for his talents, which were always being frustrated in Belgium.

2. As for Leopold’s status and title as the consort to a British sovereign, he’ll definitely be given a peerage at some point in his father-in-law's reign, which guarantees him a seat in the House of Lords and at least some degree of political influence (which could be good or bad, depending on how wisely he uses it). After Charlotte's marriage to Leopold in OTL, the Prince-Regent announced his intention to create his son-in-law Duke of Kendal. Charlotte's death the following year, however, made this moot and the letters patent were thus never issued (though interestingly enough, George IV still seems to have liked Leopold enough to raise him to the style of "Royal Highness" by order-in-council in 1818, even though his wife had been dead for over five months).

In OTL, the only reason Albert wasn't given a peerage and instead got the title of 'Prince-Consort' was that there was strong anti-German sentiment in Britain during the 1840's, accompanied by a lot of fear among the establishment of giving Albert too much power, especially after Victoria got overly sentimental and made it known that she wanted to push for him being made King Consort by act of Parliament.

3. Charlotte succeeding to the British throne means that the Kingdom of Hanover will be separated from its personal union with Britain a decade earlier than OTL. ITTL the Duke of Clarence will succeed as King Wilhelm I of Hanover after George IV dies. Perhaps he'll grant a (liberal) constitution to Hanover with his focuses shifted there? If he marries at all ITTL and manages to have a son, then what happens next there is anyone's guess…

However if Clarence dies without legitimate issue, not, his brother, the Duke of Cumberland, gets the Hanoverian throne as in OTL. Despite being hated by the British press and public, Cumberland was actually quite popular in Hanover. Of course, if Clarence indeed grants a constitution to Hanover, given Cumberland’s OTL views and temperament, I wouldn't put it past him to undo any liberal reforms made by there. I'm not sure how far this will go. Perhaps we'll get a Hanoverian Revolution in 1848, necessitating Prussian intervention if it gets too radical and, as a result, earlier annexation.

4. Obviously, Prince Leopold Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld is not going to become King of the Belgians in this scenario (nor even make the shortlist for potential candidates for that matter).

In OTL, the Belgians first nominated the Louis d'Orléans, Duc de Nemours, as the preferred candidate. King Louis-Philippe had to decline the offer for his son, as it was far too controversial, being opposed to British interests and far too much of a pro-French move in a Post-Congress of Vienna Europe that was determined to maintain the balance of power. I see the same thing likely happening ITTL.

As for who gets the Belgian throne instead, a Dutch prince would certainly be out of the question after the revolution, even if he were to convert to Catholicism (bad blood and fears that he would be too sympathetic to the Netherlands would be a real concern). The consensus between Britain and France was that a strong minded ruler who could prevent further war was needed. Probably the best candidates at this point are either Auguste de Beauharnais, Duke of Leuchtenberg, or Archduke Karl of Austria, Duke of Teschen.

Leuctenberg came in second after Nemours in OTL as the most popular candidate, but his political sympathies were suspected as being too pro-French and his family connections with Napoleon (who was still fresh in everyone's minds at this point) were also too close for comfort for some.

Archduke Karl, by contrast, is a good bet, since he was a decorated hero of the Napoleonic Wars with a proven military record. In OTL he came in third during the first round of elections by the Belgian Parliament that selected the Nemours as king in 1831. ITTL though he might be the best compromise candidate for the British and French.

This what I’m thinking so far. Anyone else want to weigh in?
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