Self-proclaimed 'King of Scots' seeks to become Czech Euro-MP
Another name has appeared on the list of unconventional candidates for the June European Parliament elections. Beside such people as the former porn star Dolly Buster and the highly controversial businessman Viktor Kozeny, also known as the Pirate of Prague, Czechs can give their votes to a real heir to the throne.
Or so he claims. The 46-year old Belgian, born as Michael Lafosse, says he was born to be the King of Scotland claiming he is the direct descendant of Bonnie Prince Charlie, the Young Pretender to the British throne in the 1745 rebellion.
His full title is Prince Michael James Alexander Stewart, 7th Count of Albany, and he is running as number two on the ballot of a tiny political grouping in Moravia, the eastern part of the Czech Republic.
Although the British biographical reference source, Debretts, has claimed that Mr Stewart's assertions are "completely bogus", without questioning his authenticity his political grouping states on its website that he is the direct descendant of the famous Mary Stuart, executed in 1587 on the order of Queen Elizabeth.
Mr Stewart is a writer by profession and in his book "The Forgotten Monarchy of Scotland" he outlined his case, arguing he was the rightful Prince and High Steward of the Scots. Experts on British peerage say Mr Stewart has not provided a scrap of evidence to support his claim, he merely points to his physical likeness to the Stuart faces at the National Portrait Gallery in London.
Czechs broke with the Habsburg monarchy eighty-five years ago, vigorously removing many of its symbols, including a ban on the use of noble titles. In recent years, however, there have been voices calling for the re-introduction of a monarchy in this country. Now it remains to be seen just how widespread that feeling is and whether in their first European election next month Czechs will choose a Belgian with Scottish blue blood to represent them in the European Parliament.
