No Emperor
Despite her numerous lovers, Catherine the Great deliberately avoided official remarriage. The decision was rooted in a desire to retain sole power and avoid the risk of sharing or surrendering it to a husband. Catherine extended this approach to her eldest son, Paul, refusing to offer him a share in power. Instead, she even attempted to bypass him entirely by orchestrating plans for her grandchild to become the official heir, further cementing her commitment to maintaining unilateral control.
Catherine’s refusal to remarry reflected a shrewd understanding of the potential implications on her reign, highlighting her dedication to preserving her autonomy as the Empress of Russia.
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