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The death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022 marked the end of an era, prompting reflections on the monarchy's past and future – even across the Commonwealth. But what if Canada had charted its own royal course from the beginning? What if, instead of sharing a monarch with the United Kingdom, Canada had established its own independent monarchy back in 1867?
It's a fascinating thought experiment, and one YouTuber, Matt Baker of UsefulCharts, explores in detail. He dives deep into an alternate timeline where Canada chooses its own sovereign, setting off a chain of events that leads to some surprising outcomes.
A Different Kind of Royal
Baker posits that if Canada had opted for its own monarchy in 1867, the newly minted nation likely wouldn't have chosen a prime minister like John A. McDonald as king. Instead, he suggests, they might have looked to the British Royal Family, specifically Queen Victoria's second son, Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh.
This wasn't an uncommon practice at the time. Greece and Norway both chose second-born Danish princes as their kings in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Choosing a younger son for a newly established monarchy allowed countries to maintain ties with powerful families while asserting their own independence.
King Alfred and His Heirs
In this alternate timeline, Alfred becomes King Alfred of Canada, ruling for 33 years until his death in 1900. His heir? Not his son, who tragically died young under mysterious circumstances, but his eldest daughter, Marie.
Queen Marie's reign gets even more interesting when you consider her real-life marriage to Prince Ferdinand, the future King of Romania. In this scenario, Canada and Romania would have found themselves in a personal union, with Marie as Queen of Canada and Queen Consort of Romania.
A Romanian King on the Canadian Throne?
The plot thickens further when we look at Marie and Ferdinand's descendants. Their son, Carol II, was a controversial figure known for his tumultuous personal life and eventual abdication. However, his son, Michael, became a well-respected figure and would have likely been Marie's chosen heir.
This means that in our alternate 2023, Canada's monarch could very well be King Michael, a man who, in real life, reigned as King of Romania until the country became a republic in 1947.
A Legacy of Queens
King Michael had no sons, only five daughters. Following the line of succession, this means the Canadian throne would likely pass to his eldest daughter, Margarita, making her Queen of Canada.
It's a fascinating thought: in an alternate timeline, Canada could have had a king who also ruled Romania, followed by a line of queens. It's a reminder that history is full of unexpected twists and turns, and even the most entrenched institutions, like monarchies, are subject to the whims of fate.
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