A new country
After successfully capturing French Caribbean islands for Britain, Prince Edward expects to return home to London a hero. Instead, King George III sends a cold letter ordering him back to Canada indefinitely, while cutting off his financial allowance. Furious and buried in debt, Edward realizes his father will never let him return.
Edward embraces his exile and actively plots against London. Unlike other British governors, Edward is deeply loved by the French-Canadian population. His mistress, Madame de Saint-Laurent, helps him forge a secret alliance with the powerful Catholic clergy and French elites. He promises them absolute religious freedom, protection of French civil law, and complete independence from British taxes in exchange for their loyalty.
In 1797, Britain is completely distracted fighting Napoleon Bonaparte in Europe and cannot spare troops for North America. Seizing the moment, Prince Edward uses his authority as Commander-in-Chief to seize the formidable citadels of Halifax and Quebec City.
On July 4, 1797, Prince Edward signs the Canadian Declaration of Independence, cutting all ties with his father's crown. To secure his borders, he signs a non-aggression pact with US President John Adams, ensuring the Americans will not invade.
The Kingdom of Canada (1798–1820)
Edward is crowned King Edward I of Canada in a grand ceremony at Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal. He establishes a constitutional monarchy where French and English are equal languages; he legalizes his relationship with Madame de Saint-Laurent, making her Queen Julie of Canada.
King George III, heartbroken and mentally unstable, vows to crush his son, but Britain's exhaustion from the Napoleonic Wars forces London to reluctantly recognize Canadian independence in 1802.
King Edward I dies in 1820. Because he married Madame de Saint-Laurent, they have legitimate Canadian heirs. Consequently, Queen Victoria, his oldest daughter, succeeds him, lending her name to the mid and late 19th century. Canada enters the 19th century not as a British dominion, but as a powerful, independent Anglo-French kingdom dominating North America and soon a large chunk of the world.