Ruritanian Idea: Estonia's 1990s Bid for British Royalty

In a surprising turn of events, a group of Estonian royalists in the 1990s made a bold move by inviting Prince Edward, the youngest child of Queen Elizabeth II, to become the King of Estonia. This unusual proposal was made public in July 1994, when the Estonian Royalist Party (Eesti Rojalistlik Partei / ERP) sent a letter to Buckingham Palace requesting Prince Edward's acceptance of their invitation.

The idea behind this proposal was rooted in the desire to strengthen ties between Estonia and the United Kingdom, with the hope that a British royal on the throne would serve as a symbol of democracy and protection against future Russian aggression. The head of the Royalist Party, Kalle Kulbok, highlighted Prince Edward's youthful energy and artistic interests as qualities that would resonate well with the Estonian people, who were eager to distance themselves from the Soviet era's corruption and authoritarianism[1].

what is the story behind the idea of a kingdom of estonia

The story behind the idea of a kingdom of Estonia dates back to the early 1990s, when Estonia was gaining independence from the Soviet Union. 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 Queen Elizabeth II, accept their invitation to become the King of Estonia. This unusual proposal was rooted in the desire to strengthen ties between Estonia and the United Kingdom, with the hope that a British royal on the throne would serve as a symbol of democracy and protection against future Russian aggression. The head of the Royalist Party, Kalle Kulbok, highlighted Prince Edward's youthful energy and artistic interests as qualities that would resonate well with the Estonian people, who were eager to distance themselves from the Soviet era's corruption and authoritarianism.

what is the current political situation in estonia

The current political situation in Estonia is characterized by a new liberal government coalition that took office in July 2022. The coalition, led by the Reform Party, includes the Eesti200 and SDE parties. This government aims to maintain continuity with the previous administration while addressing pressing issues such as the national debt, which has doubled in recent years. The coalition has pledged to balance the national budget, increase VAT and income tax by 2%, and introduce a vehicle tax in 2024 to generate revenue for the state budget. Additionally, the government has committed to increasing defence spending to 3% of GDP, which is seen as crucial for Estonia's security in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine. The government also plans to convert all schools to Estonian-language education systems, which was initiated by the previous government. Overall, the current government is focused on addressing economic and security challenges while maintaining Estonia's strong democratic institutions and commitment to human rights.

what are the main political parties in estonia

The main political parties in Estonia are: Reformierakond (Estonian Reform Party): A liberal party with 37 MPs in the parliament, focusing on liberal politics. SDE (Social Democratic Party): A center-left party with 9 MPs in the parliament, emphasizing social democratic policies. Isamaa (Fatherland Party): A center-right party with 8 MPs in the parliament, advocating for conservative and nationalistic views. EKRE (Conservative People’s Party of Estonia): A right-wing party with 17 MPs in the parliament, emphasizing conservative and nationalistic policies. E200 (Estonia 200): A liberal party with 14 seats in the parliament, focusing on liberal and progressive policies. EER (The Greens Estonia): A green party from Estonia, advocating for environmental and social issues. EÜVP (Estonian United Left Party): A left party from Estonia, focusing on socialist and social democratic policies. KOOS (Together): A center-right party from Estonia, emphasizing unity and cooperation. Parempoolsed (Right-Wingers): A center-right party from Estonia, focusing on conservative and nationalistic views. Vasakpartei (Estonian United Left Party): A left party from Estonia, emphasizing socialist and social democratic policies. These parties are the primary political forces in Estonia, with some of them forming coalitions to govern the country.

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.

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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 Ruritanian Idea from the 1990s, it is essential to acknowledge the significance of this peculiar episode in Estonian history. The invitation extended to Prince Edward, the youngest child of Queen Elizabeth II, to become the King of Estonia, highlights the complexities and nuances of international relations during a time of great change. The King of Estonia proposal, though ultimately unsuccessful, serves as a testament to the enduring fascination with monarchy and the desire for strong international ties.

As we reflect on this Ruritanian Idea, it is crucial to recognize the context in which it emerged. The early 1990s were marked by the collapse of the Soviet Union and the subsequent struggle for independence among the Baltic states. Estonia, in particular, was navigating its new status as a sovereign nation, seeking to establish strong relationships with the international community. The invitation to Prince Edward, though unconventional, was an attempt to forge a lasting bond between Estonia and the United Kingdom, leveraging the symbolic power of the British monarchy to strengthen diplomatic ties. This episode, though unusual, underscores the importance of understanding the intricacies of international relations and the ways in which nations seek to establish and maintain connections with one another.

what is the significance of the royalist party in estonia's history

The Royalist Party in Estonia's history holds significant importance as a reflection of the country's transition from Soviet rule to independence. Formed in the early 1990s, the party, led by Kalle Kulbok, aimed to establish Estonia as a monarchy modeled after Sweden and Norway. Although the party was not a serious contender for power, its existence highlights the complexities and nuances of Estonian politics during this period. The party's influence was limited, but its impact on Estonian history lies in its representation of the nation's desire for change and its willingness to experiment with unconventional political ideas. The Royalist Party's bid to invite Prince Edward, the youngest child of Queen Elizabeth II, to become the King of Estonia, serves as a testament to the party's ambition and the Estonian people's fascination with the British monarchy. This unusual proposal, though unsuccessful, underscores the complexities of international relations during a time of great change and the nation's desire to establish strong ties with the international community. Furthermore, the Royalist Party's success in the 1992 Estonian parliamentary elections, gaining eight seats, demonstrates the party's ability to resonate with the Estonian people. The party's antics, such as ridiculing laws and performing a stylized "Neopagan" rite, also highlight the party's role in challenging the status quo and pushing the boundaries of political discourse. In summary, the Royalist Party in Estonia's history is significant because it represents a unique aspect of the country's transition to independence, showcasing the nation's willingness to experiment with unconventional political ideas and its desire to establish strong international ties.