Heirs to the Throne in the Constitutional Monarchies of Nineteenth-Century Europe (1815-1914)

The constitutional monarchies of nineteenth-century Europe were a remarkable success story. In 1914 France, Portugal and Switzerland were the only republics in a continent of monarchies. Although the model 'Constitutional Monarchy' manifested itself differently in each nation, the concept had clearly established itself as a European norm. This had happened against the background of a dramatically changing environment: revolutions; growing literacy; an expanding public sphere sustained by a variety of media; political parties appealing to larger electorates; changes in Europe's social, economic, intellectual and technological life; imperial expansion and globalization. It points to the strength, suppleness and resourcefulness of monarchical systems that they flourished throughout this century of transformation.

This research project will focus on the roles played by those waiting to come into the glittering inheritance of a European crown. It will pursue a comparative analysis of the heirs to the continent's thrones and offer new findings on the workings of the monarchical system. Because of the biological realities of hereditary rule, heirs to the throne were a crucial component. While they were anticipating the end of the current reign, crown princes such as Frederick William of Prussia, 'Bertie' Prince of Wales or Archduke Rudolf of Austria embodied both dynastic continuity and the inevitability of change. Depending on the specific political, cultural and constitutional contexts as well as on the individuals involved, they could consolidate or undermine the status quo, play momentous or insignificant roles, embody change or stasis.

Notwithstanding this variety, heirs to the throne offer fascinating insights into the European norm. An investigation of the contribution they made to the functioning, malfunctioning, transformations and rigidities of the systems whose future pivoted on them helps us better to understand the politics and political cultures of monarchical Europe as well as the institutions and individuals that sustained the crowns.

The project will build on the existing body of research tackling dimensions of nineteenth-century monarchy in the fields of media history, cultural history and transnational history. Rather than proceed biographically, the project will address thematic questions across several constitutional monarchies (Britain, France, Italy, Spain, the German states and Austria):

- Did heirs to the throne stabilise monarchical systems by supporting the political status quo or by acting as a vehicle of hope for future change? Or were they corrosive of the current reign by crystallizing internal opposition?
- What was the international role of heirs to the throne (e.g. through dynastic marriages, attendance at functions, travel, public diplomacy etc.)?
- Did heirs to the throne function as intermediaries between the sovereign/governmental authority and the people? In what ways did they interact with different publics, parties, parliaments and the media? How important were new styles of princely comportment (embourgeoisement, folksiness) and the creation of a celebrity public image through various media?
- What use was made of their public profile for the transmission of political messages?
- Were heirs to the throne perceived as embodying generational change?
- Were heirs to the throne engaged in generating 'soft power' and did networks (such as counter-courts or coteries) play a role here?
- Can their roles be placed into Bagehot's categories of 'dignified' and 'efficient'?

The project aims to explore the role of flexibility, resourcefulness, media acumen and societal integration in the success of nineteenth-century monarchies. It will invite a reconsideration of interpretations which emphasize their allegedly pre-modern, feudal, manipulative or oppressive elements and help to explain the continuing popularity of monarchical structures across many contemporary European societies.

The proposed research tackles a historical topic that is not only important but also colourful, accessible and attractive. It will place a cast of remarkable characters - such as Queen Victoria's notorious son 'Bertie', Germany's much-loved Crown Prince Frederick William or the tragic Archduke Rudolf of Austria - into an analytical and systemic context. This will generate new findings about the ways in which Europe's crown princes dealt with the status quo and the different publics surrounding them, how much the various European countries differed in this respect and what role heirs played in the successes and failures of these monarchies. These issues can be communicated effectively and appropriately to a wider general audience.

Beyond the group of academic beneficiaries already identified the project's findings will be of interest to:
- members of the public with an interest in History and especially the history of Europe's monarchical past,
- students of History at school and undergraduate level,
- teachers of History at primary and secondary levels,
- individuals and firms working in journalism, the media and other parts of the creative industries planning to produce material on any of the issues addressed by the project,
- museums, exhibitions and visitor attractions.

These groups of users will benefit from the proposed research by gaining a fuller understanding of the historical origins of European states and societies, of the ways in which hierarchical systems have adapted to changing circumstances and of the mechanisms used to build approval and communicate consensus. The outputs generated by the proposed projects (published texts and online material) will inform a broad historical awareness, learning and teaching at school, the commissioning and production of media content and the design of other locations of Knowledge Transfer (exhibitions, museums etc.).

Constitutional hereditary monarchies are not merely a phenomenon of the past, though. They continue to exist as important cultural, political and social formations in numerous European countries (United Kingdom, Low Countries, Scandinavia, Monaco, Liechtenstein). The roles played by heirs to the throne, their relationship with the public and their contribution to the stability and future success of the monarchical system therefore retain a direct relevance. The proposed research will thus have significant cultural and political impact because it identifies ways in which monarchical systems interacted with their societies, how heirs to the throne communicated and generated loyalty and affection, how they provided leadership and role models, how they manoeuvred amongst different forms of media and how they responded to change.

In the light of the continuing topical relevance of its findings on royal heirs - esp. in connection with issues such as the role of the media, public images, soft power, networks and coteries, generational representation and the heirs' 'efficient' discharge of public duties - the project is likely to have impact on another circle of beneficiaries. It will influence:
- policy makers responsible for issues such school and university curricula, cultural policies and constitutional questions as well as
- those working in the media and public intellectuals commenting on issues in connection with the monarchy across present-day Europe. The topical issue of the Prince of Wales's public and discreet involvement in questions such as town planning, architectural merit, complementary medicine is a case in point.