Ruritanian Idea: Prince Edward's Estonia Kingdom Bid in 1990s

In a fascinating display of international diplomacy, a peculiar proposal emerged in the early 1990s, where the Estonian Royalist Party sought to install Prince Edward, the youngest child of Queen Elizabeth II, as the King of Estonia. This unusual idea was born out of a desire to strengthen ties between the two nations, with the party's leader, Kalle Kulbok, believing that a British royal on the throne would serve as a powerful deterrent against potential Russian aggression. The proposal, which was met with a mix of amusement and skepticism, highlighted the complexities of international relations and the diverse perspectives that exist across nations. As Estonia was still in the process of establishing its independence following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the idea of a British royal on its throne was seen as a means to forge closer ties with the West, particularly with the United Kingdom1.

Prince Edward in 1994.

Photo (c) Heptagon/Shutterstock.

In July 1994, the Estonian Royalist Party (Eesti Rojalistlik Partei / ERP) sent a letter to Buckingham Palace requesting that Prince Edward, the youngest child of The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, accept their invitation to become King of Estonia. At the time, the party had 8% of the seats in the Estonian Parliament. Estonia had gained independence in 1991 following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Read More :A Ruritanian Idea from the 1990s: King Edward of Estonia

The man behind this eccentric request was Kalle Kulbok, the head of the Royalist Party. In an interview, Mr Kulbok stated: "A British royal on the throne of Estonia would link us closely with Britain, a democracy we would like to emulate. It above all would be a great protection against future Russian attempts to conquer us again." The Estonian would-be-kingmaker went on to elucidate the virtues of Prince Edward that would endear the royal to the people of Estonia: "Estonians admire youth, which is free of Soviet corruption. Prince Edward is young and we are a very young nation ruled by a very young government. We like Prince Edward's artistic interests, which fit very well with Estonia's. I can also promise that Estonian newspapers are a lot nicer and more respectful than the English media." As it turns out, Kalle Kulbok had confided his dreams of a Kingdom of Estonia to the well-known historian Simon Sebag-Montefiore. Mr Kulbok entrusted the letter of the Royalist Party to Mr Sebag-Montefiore to be delivered to Buckingham Palace, which the latter kindly (and likely with a large dose of amusement) did.

When reports of this letter emerged, a spokesperson of the Estonian Embassy to the UK offered some clarification to the British people: "Estonians think very kindly of your royal family. But the Estonian Royalist Party is our equivalent of your raving loony party. They do not represent the government in any way." A Buckingham Palace spokesperson anonymously confided: "It is a charming but unlikely idea."

As we conclude our exploration of the intriguing tale of Prince Edward's potential reign as the King of Estonia, it is essential to reflect on the significance of this unusual proposal. The idea, though ultimately unsuccessful, highlights the complexities of international diplomacy and the diverse perspectives that exist across nations. It serves as a reminder that even the most unlikely of suggestions can be born out of a genuine desire to strengthen ties and forge closer relationships.

The Ruritanian Idea of installing a British royal on the throne of Estonia, as proposed by the Estonian Royalist Party, may have been met with skepticism, but it also underscores the importance of understanding and respecting the cultural and historical contexts of different nations. It is crucial to recognize that the proposal was rooted in a desire to emulate the values of democracy and to seek protection against potential threats. As we move forward, it is vital that we continue to engage in open dialogue and foster a deeper understanding of the world around us, embracing the diversity of perspectives and ideas that shape our global community. The Kingdom of Estonia may not have come to fruition, but the Ruritanian Idea remains an intriguing chapter in the annals of international diplomacy, serving as a reminder of the power of imagination and the importance of building bridges between nations.