For a brief while after becoming independent from Russia, Finland was a monarchy. But since the would-be king chosen by the Finnish Parliament was a Hessian prince, the defeat of the Central Powers led to the throne remaining vacant. After a few months during which Finland was officially a Regency, it eventually proclaimed itself a Republic in July 1919.
But what if, instead of Prince Frederick Charles of Hesse, the chosen king had been, say, Prince Harald of Denmark? Would the Finns have proceeded with his crowning regardless of the Central Powers' defeat? What difference might it have made in the later history of the country?
But what if, instead of Prince Frederick Charles of Hesse, the chosen king had been, say, Prince Harald of Denmark? Would the Finns have proceeded with his crowning regardless of the Central Powers' defeat? What difference might it have made in the later history of the country?