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15 Fake Claims to Thrones That Almost Succeeded

Shannon Quinn - July 16, 2025

Throughout history, the world’s royal courts have been magnets for imposters and pretenders—individuals who boldly claimed crowns that weren’t theirs by birthright. These false claimants, sometimes driven by ambition, desperation, or sheer audacity, often found surprising support among nobles and commoners alike.

Against all odds, their cunning schemes nearly toppled established dynasties or created chaos in powerful realms. The intrigue surrounding their exploits reveals how fragile legitimacy could be, and how easily desperate times could make imposters almost kings or queens. Their stories are both cautionary tales and thrilling dramas of identity, ambition, and deception.

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1. Perkin Warbeck: The ‘Lost Prince’ of England

Perkin Warbeck emerged in the late 15th century, boldly claiming to be Richard of Shrewsbury, one of the mysterious Princes in the Tower. His story captivated Europe, and he won the backing of powerful figures like Margaret of Burgundy and the King of Scotland. Warbeck’s attempt to dethrone Henry VII ignited several rebellions and threatened the fragile Tudor hold on England. Though ultimately captured and executed, Warbeck’s near-success showed how persuasive a royal imposter could be in a nation hungry for legitimacy. More on BBC

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2. False Dmitriy I: The Russian Pretender

Amidst Russia’s chaotic Time of Troubles, a mysterious man claimed to be the long-lost son of Ivan the Terrible. Known as False Dmitriy I, he secured the support of Polish nobles and even convinced many Russians of his royal lineage. In 1605, he was crowned Tsar, briefly ruling before his abrupt overthrow and death. Despite his short reign, False Dmitriy I’s audacious claim nearly reshaped Russian history and demonstrated how fragile dynastic legitimacy could be. Read more at Britannica

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3. Lambert Simnel: The Boy King

Lambert Simnel’s astonishing rise began when Yorkist conspirators coached him to impersonate Edward Plantagenet, a legitimate heir to the English throne. In 1487, the young Simnel led a foreign-backed army into England, sparking the dramatic Battle of Stoke Field. Although his forces were crushed, Simnel’s convincing act briefly united Yorkist supporters and threatened the fledgling Tudor dynasty. His story remains a remarkable example of how a well-orchestrated deception could almost change royal succession. See History Extra

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4. Anna Anderson: The Last Romanov?

For much of the twentieth century, Anna Anderson captivated the world by insisting she was Grand Duchess Anastasia, the youngest daughter of Russia’s last Tsar. Her dramatic story, marked by court cases and mystery, drew fervent supporters and skeptics alike. Anderson’s claim fueled rumors that a Romanov had survived the Bolshevik massacre, keeping hope alive for royalists. Ultimately, DNA testing after her death revealed no relation to the Romanovs, but her decades-long deception left a lasting legacy. Smithsonian Magazine

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5. The Pseudo-Nero

Following the dramatic death of Emperor Nero, at least three imposters emerged across the vast Roman Empire, each claiming to be the notorious ruler risen from the dead. One such Pseudo-Nero gained significant Parthian backing, and his presence sparked anxiety among Roman authorities, who feared he could inspire revolt. The imposters’ ability to attract attention—even outside Rome’s borders—shows how powerful the myth of a returned leader could be. Read more at Livius.org

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6. The False Margaret of Norway

In the early 14th century, a mysterious woman appeared in Norway, claiming to be Margaret, Maid of Norway—the child heir to the Scottish throne thought to have died years earlier. Her story attracted considerable local support and posed a brief challenge to the established order. Ultimately, authorities exposed her as an imposter, but her brief uprising demonstrates the enduring allure of royal identity and the hope it could inspire. National Records of Scotland

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7. John of Leiden: King of Münster

In 1534, John of Leiden seized control of the German city of Münster, proclaiming himself “King of the New Jerusalem” and establishing a radical Anabaptist theocracy. Claiming divine right and attracting fervent followers, John aimed to create a new holy monarchy destined to spread across Europe.
His dramatic reign, marked by polygamy and communal ownership, nearly transformed Münster into the center of a revolutionary kingdom. Ultimately, a siege crushed the movement, but John’s vision briefly threatened to reshape European power structures. Encyclopedia Britannica

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8. The False Dauphin

In the aftermath of the French Revolution, rumors swirled that Louis XVII, the tragic Dauphin, had somehow survived captivity. Multiple imposters surfaced across Europe, each claiming to be the rightful heir to the Bourbon throne. Some of these “False Dauphins” attracted loyal followers and even convinced segments of the population, keeping royalist hopes alive for decades. Their persistence reflects the desperation of monarchists longing for restoration and the enduring mystique of lost royalty. History Today

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9. Ali Pasha’s Greek Pretender

Amid the turbulence of the Greek War of Independence, a bold individual claimed descent from the storied Byzantine emperors. Backed by Ali Pasha, this pretender aimed to unite Greeks and gain international recognition as the legitimate ruler. His efforts nearly swayed foreign powers, demonstrating how powerful the allure of lost imperial bloodlines remained in 19th-century Europe. Though ultimately unsuccessful, his claim briefly inspired hope and resistance among Greek nationalists. Oxford Reference

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10. The Madman of Tournai

In the chaos of 12th-century France, a mysterious figure appeared in Tournai, claiming to be Charles the Good, Count of Flanders, who was widely believed to have been assassinated. His bold proclamation gathered a following among locals yearning for stability. Though his identity was soon revealed as a fraud, the Madman of Tournai’s brief success highlighted how easily desperate times could foster belief in miraculous royal survivals. Medievalists.net

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11. The Zulu Pretender: Mhlangana

After the assassination of King Shaka Zulu in 1828, his brother Mhlangana seized the opportunity to claim the throne. His bold ambition triggered a wave of violent power struggles within the royal family, threatening to upend the established Zulu leadership. Though Mhlangana’s reign was short-lived, his near-success underscores the volatility of succession in powerful dynasties and the lengths rivals would go to secure the crown. South African History Online

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12. The False Demetrius II

The turmoil of Russia’s Time of Troubles produced another audacious pretender: False Demetrius II. Claiming to be the rightful heir, he rallied Cossacks and received substantial foreign backing, even establishing a rival court and controlling key territories. At his peak, he posed a serious threat to Moscow’s legitimate rulers, and his campaign prolonged the chaos engulfing Russia. Though ultimately defeated, his near-success demonstrates the era’s extreme instability. Britannica

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13. The Impostor Princess Caraboo

In 1817, an enigmatic woman calling herself Princess Caraboo captivated the English elite. Mary Baker, a cobbler’s daughter, invented an exotic persona—complete with a mysterious language, elaborate costume, and unique customs. Her performance fooled high society, earning her lavish hospitality and widespread attention before her true identity was uncovered. The Princess Caraboo affair remains one of history’s most whimsical and successful royal impostures. Historic UK

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14. The False Baldwin of Flanders

After Baldwin IX, Count of Flanders and Latin Emperor of Constantinople, vanished during the Fourth Crusade, rumors of his survival persisted throughout Europe. Several impostors exploited this uncertainty, with one particularly persuasive pretender nearly rallying the people of Flanders to rebellion. The enduring hope that Baldwin might return fueled unrest and suspicion, demonstrating how the mysterious fate of a ruler could open the door to dangerous deceptions. Encyclopedia.com

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15. The Jaipur Imposter

In the early 20th century, an enterprising adventurer arrived in Jaipur, India, boldly claiming to be a long-lost prince and rightful heir to the throne. His convincing demeanor and elaborate backstory caused a ripple of anxiety within the royal household. Though his deception was quickly uncovered, the episode exposed the vulnerabilities of even modern royal institutions to imposters. The Jaipur imposter’s brief notoriety is a testament to the enduring allure of royal identity. India Today

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Conclusion

The stories of royal imposters and pretenders reveal how fragile—and coveted—power and legitimacy have always been. From medieval Europe to modern India, charismatic figures nearly upended dynasties, fueled by ambition and the yearning of societies for lost glory or new hope. These dramatic episodes remind us that monarchy’s allure is as much about myth and perception as bloodline. Their legacies endure, inviting us to question how we define rightful rule—and why, throughout history, so many have been willing to risk everything to seize a crown.

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