Friedrich Karl von Hessen, a German prince, had the chance to become King Väinö I of Finland, but instead, he renounced the throne! Just a few months prior, the Parliament of Finland had elected him to take the crown, but with Germany's defeat in World War I, the prince's royal aspirations crumbled. It was a tumultuous time, with Finland gaining independence from Russia and Germany's influence waning – not the best timing for a German prince to take the Finnish throne. Friedrich Karl von Hessen knew it wasn't meant to be and stepped down, paving the way for Finland to solidify its independence.