this is a rather random idea that I had in the shower.
What would've happened if the young Napoléon II had wound up being the hostage of Louis XVIII instead of his grandfather. I'm not exactly sure how this would happen, but presumably, he and his mother being separated/intercepted en route to Rambouillet would probably be a start.
Now, there's those that would say that, if he's in the Bourbon hands, he's a goner. However, that would actually be his security. Louis XVIII was the sort canny enough to know that the minute Napoléon/François gets so much as an unseasonal cough, the jig would be up for the Bourbons. Of course, there would be the Blancs thirsting for their impossible revenge who'll want him done away with (particularly after Berri's murder, as a sort of tit-for-tat), but I suspect the king and the moderates could give him some protection. After all, even Metternich never went so far as to execute the child.
We're not saying this plan would be ultimately successful, but it could also serve as a guarantee for several Bonapartists to remain loyal to the crown- if not the Bourbons specifically- rather than drifting into varying other circles. Plus, given Louis XVIII's OTL distrust/dislike of the Orléans branch, I could see him using TTL Napoléon le Petit as a useful threat- not necessarily calling him "your Majesty" or "emperor", but as the grandson/son of an emperor, Napoléon II, would take precedence over the Orléans branch (who're only Serene Highness)- against them.
At first, I imagine he'd stay with Maman Quiou- the last of his imperial household was only dismissed in 1820 OTL- until age 7 (1818), with maybe a few people changing, but ultimately, not many. As to who gets custody, there are a few options. The first is Louis XVIII himself. With the boy taught to think of the king as his grandfather or kindly uncle. Another alternative- I doubt Charles X would be considered- would be Madame Royal. Hear me out on this one, her lack of children was extraordinarily painful for her OTL. But, per the Prince de Joinville's recollections, she did love children. I've posted pictures in my TL that shows just how similar in appearance Henri, Comte de Chambord and the duc de Reichstadt were OTL. Her aunt, Maria Carolina, the Queen of Naples, OTL was one of the persons most puzzled by Marie Louise's indifference to her son OTL. Plus, Napoléon would've been born around the same time as Madame Royal's only documented pregnancy in1811 1813. Him bearing more than a passing resemblance to his Bourbon-Habsburg ancestry (blond hair, blue eyes, Habsburg lip) instead of looking like a Corsican bandit, perhaps wouldn't be the craziest case of transference for her to convince herself he resembles her murdered brother*.
*not saying she's crazy or anything, but it's been over twenty years since she would've seen her brother. Allowances can be made for "discrepancies".
@The_Most_Happy @Electric Monk @isabella @Nuraghe @Emperor Constantine @Dragonboy @eliamartin65 @Fehérvári
What would've happened if the young Napoléon II had wound up being the hostage of Louis XVIII instead of his grandfather. I'm not exactly sure how this would happen, but presumably, he and his mother being separated/intercepted en route to Rambouillet would probably be a start.
Now, there's those that would say that, if he's in the Bourbon hands, he's a goner. However, that would actually be his security. Louis XVIII was the sort canny enough to know that the minute Napoléon/François gets so much as an unseasonal cough, the jig would be up for the Bourbons. Of course, there would be the Blancs thirsting for their impossible revenge who'll want him done away with (particularly after Berri's murder, as a sort of tit-for-tat), but I suspect the king and the moderates could give him some protection. After all, even Metternich never went so far as to execute the child.
We're not saying this plan would be ultimately successful, but it could also serve as a guarantee for several Bonapartists to remain loyal to the crown- if not the Bourbons specifically- rather than drifting into varying other circles. Plus, given Louis XVIII's OTL distrust/dislike of the Orléans branch, I could see him using TTL Napoléon le Petit as a useful threat- not necessarily calling him "your Majesty" or "emperor", but as the grandson/son of an emperor, Napoléon II, would take precedence over the Orléans branch (who're only Serene Highness)- against them.
At first, I imagine he'd stay with Maman Quiou- the last of his imperial household was only dismissed in 1820 OTL- until age 7 (1818), with maybe a few people changing, but ultimately, not many. As to who gets custody, there are a few options. The first is Louis XVIII himself. With the boy taught to think of the king as his grandfather or kindly uncle. Another alternative- I doubt Charles X would be considered- would be Madame Royal. Hear me out on this one, her lack of children was extraordinarily painful for her OTL. But, per the Prince de Joinville's recollections, she did love children. I've posted pictures in my TL that shows just how similar in appearance Henri, Comte de Chambord and the duc de Reichstadt were OTL. Her aunt, Maria Carolina, the Queen of Naples, OTL was one of the persons most puzzled by Marie Louise's indifference to her son OTL. Plus, Napoléon would've been born around the same time as Madame Royal's only documented pregnancy in
*not saying she's crazy or anything, but it's been over twenty years since she would've seen her brother. Allowances can be made for "discrepancies".
@The_Most_Happy @Electric Monk @isabella @Nuraghe @Emperor Constantine @Dragonboy @eliamartin65 @Fehérvári
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