How would a Francoist Coronation be like?

[Gukpard]

So, there is a very famous brazilian cartoon from the spanish civil war made in 1939, this one:

Spoiler: Franco returns Spain to Afonso XIII

At that time it was expected by some that as soon the war ended Franco would restore the monarchy, but that didn't happen and Spain only became a monarchy again in 1968.
So, let's assume that Franco decided to restore the monarchy after winning the civil war. This would bring some interesting things since he was fascistic and he could try to do an imponent coronation.
For a start, Afonso XIII is one of the worst monarchs in history, so let's say that he's persuaded to allow his son Juan to be crowned.

How would the coronation go? The last true coronation of Spain was in the 1300s under John I, so could Franco invite the Pope to move to Madrid and do a real coronation of Juan? Could we have something imponent like the presence of many foreign dignataries (since the british were favourable to the spanish monarchy) or only fascist and reactionary ambassadors would show up since this is happening under Franco?

Also how would the monarchy and Franco do together?

 

[ramones1986]

Well, the principal problem is the personal animosity that existed between Franco and Don Juan (this article from Spanish radio network COPE is one of the examples).

And also the timing of the (hypothetical) coronation; it was ostentatious to held such ceremony in a period of hardship like World War II. In addition, the presence of exiled Republicans (this article from Spanish newspaper ABC in relation to Don Juan's personal thoughts on the Second Republic through his recently revealed personal letters.)

 

[Declan]

The Spanish Civil War only ended in 1939. If there is to be a coronation and the government wants it to be grand, it's not going to happen immediately. Unfortunately for the Spanish government, WW2 would only be months away.

Given the state of war in Europe, the Pope would decide against coronating the Spanish king.

Hitler won't really care. He could send his ambassador, or just send no one. Both are equally likely. Mussolini would be preoccupied with his wars and the European situation so he won't attend. For similar reasons, Victor Emmanuel III wouldn't attend. However, Mussolini might send an ambassador and a minor royal to represent the King.

The UK and France are opposed to Franco on the basis of his ideology. Then there's the fact he's an ally of the country they are currently at war with. They will send no one.

Portugal would be an interesting case. Salazar would be an ally of the Spanish government. However, Portugal had its own monarchy that was abolished. When Salazar came to power, he continued the republic and just ignored the monarchists. While he may want to attend it, he doesn't want Portuguese monarchists getting any ideas. So Portugal will send it's foreign minister and ambassador.

The main bulk of dignitaries who would attend would be Latin American ones.

As for Franco and the monarchy, Franco would strip the crown of all power before the coronation. His power would then be consolidated in his position as Prime Minister. As King, Juan would definitely not get along with Franco on a personal level. But the threat of Franco being able to do away with the monarchy would force Juan to as he is told.

One unintended effect of restoration under Franco would be the Spanish return to democracy getting butterflied. In this ATL, Franco won't look to the crown at all to continue his government. Instead, he'd look at officials within his government to take over. So upon his death, somebody from his cabinet would become Prime Minister and likely continue the government.

 

[Gukpard]

Well, the principal problem is the personal animosity that existed between Franco and Don Juan (this article from Spanish radio network COPE is one of the examples).

And also the timing of the (hypothetical) coronation; it was ostentatious to held such ceremony in a period of hardship like World War II. In addition, the presence of exiled Republicans (this article from Spanish newspaper ABC in relation to Don Juan's personal thoughts on the Second Republic through his recently revealed personal letters.)

The Spanish Civil War only ended in 1939. If there is to be a coronation and the government wants it to be grand, it's not going to happen immediately. Unfortunately for the Spanish government, WW2 would only be months away.

Given the state of war in Europe, the Pope would decide against coronating the Spanish king.

Hitler won't really care. He could send his ambassador, or just send no one. Both are equally likely. Mussolini would be preoccupied with his wars and the European situation so he won't attend. For similar reasons, Victor Emmanuel III wouldn't attend. However, Mussolini might send an ambassador and a minor royal to represent the King.

The UK and France are opposed to Franco on the basis of his ideology. Then there's the fact he's an ally of the country they are currently at war with. They will send no one.

Portugal would be an interesting case. Salazar would be an ally of the Spanish government. However, Portugal had its own monarchy that was abolished. When Salazar came to power, he continued the republic and just ignored the monarchists. While he may want to attend it, he doesn't want Portuguese monarchists getting any ideas. So Portugal will send it's foreign minister and ambassador.

The main bulk of dignitaries who would attend would be Latin American ones.

As for Franco and the monarchy, Franco would strip the crown of all power before the coronation. His power would then be consolidated in his position as Prime Minister. As King, Juan would definitely not get along with Franco on a personal level. But the threat of Franco being able to do away with the monarchy would force Juan to as he is told.

One unintended effect of restoration under Franco would be the Spanish return to democracy getting butterflied. In this ATL, Franco won't look to the crown at all to continue his government. Instead, he'd look at officials within his government to take over. So upon his death, somebody from his cabinet would become Prime Minister and likely continue the government.

So a coronation in 1939 either is not going to happen or it is going to be a minor one. In the scenario that it does happen and it is grand nobody is going to attend it.

Ok, so what if the coronation happens in 1945 instead?

 

[ramones1986]

So a coronation in 1939 either is not going to happen or it is going to be a minor one. In the scenario that it does happen and it is grand nobody is going to attend it.

Ok, so what if the coronation happens in 1945 instead?

1945 is too soon.

 

[Lalli]

How would the coronation go? The last true coronation of Spain was in the 1300s under John I, so could Franco invite the Pope to move to Madrid and do a real coronation of Juan? Could we have something imponent like the presence of many foreign dignataries (since the british were favourable to the spanish monarchy) or only fascist and reactionary ambassadors would show up since this is happening under Franco?

Also how would the monarchy and Franco do together?

Probably most impostant bishop of Spain instead pope would achieve coronation ceremonies. And I can't see pople under any circumstances moving out of Rome is there is not some serious reason to do that. Last time when pope moved out of Vatican really long time didn't go nicely.

And for getting coronation becoming international event you would need peace firstly. So 1945 is earliest possible. But probably it would go that late as 1948.

 

[Gukpard]

1945 is too soon.

Probably most impostant bishop of Spain instead pope would achieve coronation ceremonies. And I can't see pople under any circumstances moving out of Rome is there is not some serious reason to do that. Last time when pope moved out of Vatican really long time didn't go nicely.

And for getting coronation becoming international event you would need peace firstly. So 1945 is earliest possible. But probably it would go that late as 1948.

The problem is that the further away from 1945 we get the coronation the closer we get to our timeline results...

 

[Declan]

So a coronation in 1939 either is not going to happen or it is going to be a minor one. In the scenario that it does happen and it is grand nobody is going to attend it.

Ok, so what if the coronation happens in 1945 instead?

Many European rulers would have the absolutely ruined state of their countries at the forefront of their mind so soon after V-E day, so the odds don't look good. However, this devastation is something that won't be fixed overnight, in contrast to the volatile nature of geopolitics during the war which would weighed down some would-be attendants if it happened in 1939. Given that, some might decide to spare a day to attend the coronation. However, "some" is still very small.

As a consequence of WW2, the European governments that were friendly to Franco, barring Salazar, have been toppled. With the Allies in charge of most of Europe now, Spain is very much isolated outside of the Iberian peninsula.

However, let me see who would come.
King Michael I of Romania is one possible attendant. He did show up for Elizabeth wedding in 1947(though that was about 2 years later). King Victor Emmanuel III might also show up.
I brushed over Sweden before. Gustav V might want to go both in 1939 and here as well.

Another one I looked over is Boris III of Bulgaria. It would be 2 more years(from 1939) until Bulgaria joined WW2 and the country was far enough from the war to not have a focus on it. So Boris III is a definite attendee of one 1939. However after WW2, the royal family were under house arrest, so the Queen Mother won't be attending(Simeon II was too young anyway). Greece is also one that would probably send delegates to 1939 one, but not a 1945 one.

Other than that, just the same Latin American dignitaries really.